Monday Lecture Series
The fall semester Monday lecture series consisted of “general” lectures that were delivered to the whole student body and “specialized” lectures that were delivered to each class. This arrangement allowed us to cover a wide range of topics and at the same time to include presentations geared to the needs of each particular class.
Special topics for the Freshman class were Ethical Action and the Honor Code, Religious and Spiritual Opportunities, Handling Stress, and Engineering Graphics. Sophomore special topics were STCW training, Sea Term Preparation, and Personal Finance. The Juniors’ lectures were related to Ship Regulations, the Winter Work Job Search, Thesis, Ship Design, and Professional Societies. Presentations to the Seniors included discussion of the Guide to the Senior Thesis, the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam, Graduate School Scholarships, Job Interviewing, and Preparation for the SNAME Meeting.
Presentations to the entire student body focused on a number of topics. Professor Emeritus Jacques Hadler provided a brief history of the development of catamarans, and John Laurence Busch gave a talk about his book STEAM COFFIN: Captain Moses Rogers and the Transformation from "Steamboats" to "Steamships.” We also welcomed two speakers from ABS. Dr. Roger Basu discussed the engineering problems related to offshore structures, especially in areas such as the Arctic, and Mr. Milton Korn gave students an overview on the history of electric propulsion for ships.
We are looking forward to author and journalist Robert Frump’s lecture titled “Tired Iron” and to a presentation by Mr. Keith Michel, Chairman of the Webb Institute BOT, titled “Reflections on a Career at a Small Ship Design Office.” Several lectures are already scheduled for the spring 2012 semester. Dr. Stephen Payne will speak on the sinking of the TITANIC, Mr. Peter Wallace will discuss Commercial Shipping and Systems, and Mr. Howard Fireman will give a presentation on some of his work for the Department of the Navy.
If you have any suggestions regarding possible future presentations, please contact our Monday lecture coordinator, Professor Elena Goloubeva, Ph.D. at egoloubeva@webb-institute.edu.
