History of USMMA Parents Associations

The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy has always recognized that parental guidance and support could greatly help to ensure the success of a midshipman. In 1989, the Alumni Association, at the request of the Superintendent Rear Admiral Paul L. Krinsky, agreed to sponsor a Parents' Association for the Academy. Lisa and Tony Clinch served as the national co-chairs for this newly formed association. As representatives of the Parents Association, they helped to raise substantial funds that directly benefited midshipman activities and Academy programs The Superintendent, key Academy representatives and Alumni officers began to attend regional meetings with parents and alumni. These events served to give our parents the opportunity to keep abrest of the latest developments at the Academy.

In 1991, Barbara and David MacRichie suggested that we encourage our parents to organize state chapters. They had been active in the U.S. Naval Academy Parents club of Connecticut and were enthusiastic about sharing this experience with our parents. The MacRichies became our national co-chairs of the Parents' Association and with their active participation we launched a program to establish a Parents' Association network. By the following year there were 18 Parents' Chapter Presidents across the country. Eight regions were represented at the first annual Parents' Weekend '92. Each year this Conference has accommodated a larger number of attendees. There are currently 57 chairpersons representing 44 states and Panama.

In 1994, the Alumni Association invited our national co-chairs, Andrew and Barbara Clark, to join the board of Directors of the USMMA Foundation, thus establishing the precedent of having a parent representative serve in this capacity.

Membership in a Parents' Association allows parents to share a common bond of pride and camaraderie as they continue to support their midshipmen during the four-year training program. Each Parents' Chapter wishes to support the current and future midshipman by providing information, confidence, and enthusiasm. Parents help each other to become familiar with the expectations of the Academy. They learn about those special events of Acceptance Day/Parents' Weekend, first trip on sea duty, and that ultimate experience of Graduation Weekend.