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U.S. Coast Guard Academy Superintendent Visits Campus
Rear Adm. Scott Burhoe, Superintendent of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, was given a warm welcome by Marion Military Institute faculty, staff and cadets during his Jan. 28-29 campus visit.
Academy representatives traveling with Burhoe from New London, Conn., were Capt. Richard Sanders, Associate Dean; Lt. Cmdr. Corinna Fleischmann, Engineering Instructor; and Lt. Meghan Brunaugh, Admissions Officer. The group toured MMI facilities, met with key faculty and staff, dined with Coast Guard Academy candidates and enjoyed an afternoon pass in review in their honor.
MMI's Service Academy Prep (SAP) program sends a steady stream of cadets to the Coast Guard Academy each year. |
In Memoriam
It is with sadness that we report on the recent loss of several MMI alumni: Bin Cochran '39, of Marietta, Ga., died on Jan. 10. He was a 1942 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy.
Wyatt Gray '70 of Destin, Fla., lost a battle with cancer in October. He served on MMI's Presidential Advisory Council.
Seth Heimlich '54 of Clemson, S.C., a former White Knight, was killed in an automobile accident on Nov. 20.
Bill Ireland '43 of Birmingham passed away at the age of 85. He was a former Chairman of the MMI Board of Trustees. His unwavering support of our institution affected countless cadets, faculty and staff.
Billy Scott '45 of Linden, Ala., died Jan. 11 of heart disease. He was a former marine who served in the Pacific Theatre during WWII.
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HEADLINES: MMI in the News
SCPO Robert Duke, Alpha Company TAC officer, was appointed to the Alabama Youth Services Board. He was interviewed by the Demopolis Times.
A West Point appointment earned Cadet Angel Collado a feature in his hometown paper on base, the Ft. Jackson Leader. (Scroll down to page 11.) |
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Col. Benson Resigns as President
Colonel Jim Benson, USMC (Ret) has tendered his resignation as President, Marion Military Institute effective June 1, 2009. Colonel Benson became the President of MMI on July 15, 2004.
This summer, he will become the acting President of Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville, Ga.
Colonel Benson and his wife Mary are grateful for the opportunity to be a part of MMI's great history and its acceptance as an entity of the great state of Alabama.
"Leaving the Marion and MMI people whose support and friendship Mary and I value is the difficult part. But as far as the Institute is concerned, the MMI Foundation, PAC, Alumni Brigade, alumni, faculty and staff will not miss a beat, and the arrival of a new president will bring excitement and change," said Colonel Benson.
A timetable of the Presidential Search is as follows:
April 23 - State Board of Education approves search committee
May 6 - Application deadline
May/June -Committee selects and interviews five semi-finalists
June - Chancellor interviews three finalists
July 14 - Chancellor makes Presidential recommendation to State Board of Education
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White Knights Travel to D.C. 
Above: MMI's White Knights, the Old Guard Drill Team First SGT and several Old Guard members after a productive practice session.
This February, cadets from the White Knights Precision Drill team were given an incredibly priceless gift in a five-day trip to Washington D.C. to meet the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Regiment, "The Old Guard," and tour our nation's capital. The trip was organized by Assistant Commandant for Support LCDR Frank Starr, USN (Ret) and TAC officer SCPO Robert Duke, USN (Ret), who traveled with the group.
On Thursday cadets were afforded the opportunity to train with and meet several members of the United States Army Drill team.They were able to spin the rifles the Old Guard unit uses, which are fitted with chrome bayonets and sling, a different and more dangerous style then the Knights use. Following this the cadets made their way to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and were allowed an opportunity seldom given to anyone: a trip into the area under the tomb where The Sentinels reside and prepare for their daily guarding of America's entombed unknowns. The dedication these soldiers show was an example that benefitted the cadets more than any of them could express.
Following these two events the White Knights were privileged to view a full parade review and retirement ceremony which was conducted by several companies of the Old Guard, the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corp., the Continental Color Guard and the U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own." The next morning, the cadets visited the stables of and learned about the Old Guard Caisson unit who perform full honor military funerals in Arlington National Cemetery. The rest of the time the cadets were allowed to explore the Capitol building as well as several museums and memorials.
by Cadet Captain Chace Downing |
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2009 Distinguished Speakers Inspire Cadets, Faculty & Staff
The Paul B. Anderson Distinguished Speaker Program, under the direction of COL John Gibler, USA (Ret), has exposed MMI cadets to some fascinating personalities this semester.
Two alumni were included in the spring schedule: COL Angelo "Tony" Riddick, USA, MMI class of 1981; and COL Nathaniel Crawford, USAF (Ret), MMI class of 1972.
 COL Riddick spoke to the cadets about playing the game of life with the hand you are dealt. He is currently an instructor at the Information Resources Management College. For Tony and his twin brother Lorenzo, MMI set them on the path to success.
Chaplain COL Nathaniel Crawford, USAF  (Ret) traveled with his wife to speak at his alma mater on March 4. His energetic delivery had audience members saying "Amen." COL Crawford also recalled his experiences as the first black graduate of MMI.
Acclaimed author and war hero LTG Hal Moore, USA (Ret) was the latest distinguished speaker. He is best known for commanding the 1st Battalion 7th Cavalry in the Ia Drang Valley, considered the first major battle of the Vietnam conflict, and is the co-author of We Were Soldiers Once...and Young, which was later made into a movie starring Mel Gibson.
In his introductory remarks, General Moore described the scene as he moved into the Ia Drang Valley with 450 troops and went on to recall an emotional trip back to where the battle that changed his life took place.  Leadership was a theme in his address, and he repeatedly emphasized concepts such as "Never give up" and "Plan ahead." His stay concluded with a book-signing in the Board Room, for which many were present. |
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TIGER SPORTS
Cadet Mallett Named ACCC Player of the Year for Men's Basketball
MMI's Jermaine Mallett #23 was recently named the Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) Player of the Year for men's basketball. Mallett, a sophomore from Jackson, Miss., finished the season as the Top Scorer (22.65 points per game) in the ACCC and ranked in the Top 10 in most statistical categories. He finished 4th in steals (2.73 per game) and 4th in total rebounds (9.46 per game). Jermaine's scoring ability was evident throughout the season as he finished with 20 or more points in 90% of games played. His career high game came on Feb. 2 against conference foe Bevill State-Sumiton where he collected 38 points behind 12 of 14 shooting from the floor and 13 of 14 from the charity stripe. His top rebounding game came against Bevill State-Fayette on Feb. 21st when he finished with 22 total rebounds, 10 from the offensive end.
Wrestling Team Finishes #4 at Nationals
The MMI wrestling team finished 4th out of 84 teams at the National Collegiate Wrestling Association (NCWA) National Tournament held March 11-14 in Hampton, Va. The 4th place ranking was the highest in MMI's history.
At the tournament, six Marion wrestlers earned All-American status, awarded to wrestlers that finish in the Top 8 (out of 32 wrestlers) in their weight class. That number six ties MMI with The Apprentice School for the most All-Americans from one school.
"Being able to finish 4th at the NCWA National Tournament is a tremendous accomplishment for the MMI wrestling program," said MMI Athletic Director Dr. Michelle Ivey. "Knowing that our program does not offer scholarships and competes against predominantly four-year schools, it is amazing what the coaches, Jim and Dave Hazewinkel, have accomplished in the short time that they have been here."
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Peer Tutoring Program Up & Running
On Feb. 9, MMI officially launched a new Peer Tutoring Program. Free tutoring services are provided on campus Monday through Friday in a cadet-friendly atmosphere that fosters camaraderie, skill-building and academic achievement.
The program is being executed under the leadership of Dr. Jamie Y. Marable, Director of Academic Services at MMI. Eight outstanding cadets were selected to tutor based upon their academic performance and recommendations from faculty. |
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Save
the
Date:
High School Graduation
May 23 |
MMI will celebrate the graduation of its final High School class on Saturday, May 23 at 10 a.m., when ten seniors will take the stage in the historic Chapel. Alumni and friends are encouraged to attend to bid farewell to this chapter in school history. |
Upcoming Events:
April 15 - Distinguished Speaker:
Dr. Jack Hawkins, Chancellor, Troy University
April 24 - Spring Military Ball
April 24-26 - High School Graduation Activities
April 29 - ROTC Awards Ceremony
April 30 - Sports Banquet
May 4 - Service Academy Prep (SAP) Convocation
May 8 - College Graduation Picnic
May 9 - College Graduation & Commissioning
May 23 - High School Graduation | |
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