Greek
Students Visit SNAME Headquarters
It was a clear and sunny morning in late March when the tour
bus pulled up to the SNAME Headquarters building in Jersey City.
On board were 43 students of naval architecture and marine engineering
from the National
Technical University of Athens (NTUA), here
for a 10-day visit to the New York Metropolitan area, who had
chosen to visit SNAME Headquarters for an introduction to the
Society by its Headquarters staff.
The
challenge was accommodating that large a group of people at
one time in an already modest office with limited floor space
while still making them feel welcome and make their visit worthwhile
by providing useful Society-related information. The staff had
carefully devised a plan in which every staff member had a role
during the students’ three-hour visit. Timing was critical
because they had also chosen to visit Stevens Institute of Technology,
only 20 minutes away, in the afternoon.
Following
rousing exchanges of “Yaisou,” and a warm welcome
by Executive Director Kimball, the students were divided into
two more manageable groups for presentations by staff members
of the many programs, features and services provided by the
Society. The first group up forward in the reception area was
given an overview of SNAME by Phil Kimball followed by presentations
on membership and sections by Nancy Ostin and Edith Rosciszewski.
Simultaneously, Connie Cali-Poutré, Susan Evans and Alan
Rowen introduced features of the website, publications and the
T&R Program to a second group aft in the Presidents’
Conference Room. This group was treated to a lunch of pizza
and sodas affording an opportunity to interact with the staff
with questions and anecdotes while the first group visited the
“SNAME Store” to view and purchase books and sign
up as student members. When asked how they liked American pizza,
one student quipped, “big slices, very good!”
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Students
forward in the Reception area. |
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Students
aft in President's Room |
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The
two groups then exchanged venues allowing the first group to
now enjoy their lunch in the Presidents’ Room, and second
group to gather up forward for its presentations and a visit
to the SNAME store.
With
just 15 minutes to go before departure the two groups were combined
once again by reception for a group photo, a raffle for a free
student membership, won by Alexandros Koimtzoglou, and the passing
out of SNAME mugs to the new student members and “goodie”
bags to all filled with journals, literature and accessories.
Despite the logistically challenged setting, the students were
polite, attentive, engaging and most appreciative of the program
specially prepared for them.
Overall
it was a rewarding experience for everyone. The Society can
boast 20 new student members (several students were already
student members and were recognized by receiving SNAME mugs)
of whom some voiced real interest in the prospects of forming
a Student Section at NTUA.
Our
sincere thanks also to Allan, Anne, Barbara, Brenda, Carolyn,
Erlinda, Joe, Linda, Ray, Rich and Tommie Anne who carried out
their tasks flawlessly and with consummate professionalism.
One
staff member wrote, “the Greek students conducted themselves
nicely, they were cooperative and very friendly and did a great
job of representing their school and their country here in Jersey
City!” I think that says it all.
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