CASTINE — Maine Maritime Academy President William J. Brennan announced that Maritime Administrator, Rear Adm. Mark H. Buzby, USN, Ret. will deliver the college's Commencement address on Saturday, May 5, in Castine.

Rear Adm. Buzby was sworn in as Maritime Administrator on August 8, 2017 following appointment by the President and confirmation by the U.S. Senate. Prior to his appointment, Buzby served as president of the National Defense Transportation Association, a position he held after retiring from the U.S. Navy in 2013 with over 34 years of service.

"It will be a great honor for the Class of 2018 to receive a send-off from Admiral Buzby, said President Brennan, in a news release. "He is an accomplished and celebrated leader, a champion of the marine transportation industry, and an advocate for maritime education."

Following Commencement, Buzby will also speak at the NROTC Commissioning Ceremony.

Buzby earned a bachelor’s of science in nautical science and U.S. Coast Guard Third Mate License at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. He was commissioned in the U.S. Navy in June of 1979, is a graduate of the Joint Forces Staff College and holds master's degrees from the U.S. Naval War College and Salve Regina University in strategic studies and international relations, respectively.

Maine Maritime Academy is a co-educational, public college on the coast of Maine offering 22 programs of study in engineering, management, science, and transportation. The college serves approximately 950 undergraduate and graduate students in career-oriented degree programs. The annual job placement rate for MMA graduates is approximately 90 percent within 90 days of graduation. The college is consistently recognized for providing a high-value education by organizations such as the Brookings Institution, U.S. News and World Report, and Money Magazine. For more information, visit mainemaritime.edu.