Inauguration of new Webb Institute President

JOC Staff |

GLEN COVE, NY. (Oct. 25, 2013) –R. Keith Michel (Webb ’73) was inaugurated as the 15th president of Webb Institute on Thursday, October 24th in a ceremony on the beautiful Webb campus. Mr. Michel assumed office on July 1st, 2013, following the retirement of RADM Robert C. Olsen, Jr. USCG (Ret.), who filled the role for eight years.

“Keith is highly regarded throughout the marine industry and will be an asset to Webb Institute,” said outgoing President Olsen. “I have worked with Keith for a number of years as he served both as a Board member and, most recently, as Chairman of the Board.”

Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr. George Campbell Jr., conducted the presidential inauguration. Speakers included the city of Glen Cove Mayor, Ralph Suozzi, Honorary Trustee Charles Kurz II, current Senior Henry Jansen, Webb Alumni Association President Matthew Tedesco (Webb ’91) and Dean Richard P. Neilson (Webb ’70).

President Michel has served as a director of Herbert Engineering Group of Companies since 1975, and as the President since 1990. He served on the Webb Board of Trustees for the past ten years. Mr. Michel has gained an international reputation for innovative ship design and associated research,

Webb Institute is a top-ranked undergraduate engineering institution, offering one academic option, a double major in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. It is the only full-tuition scholarship private undergraduate engineering program in the country. The school was founded in 1889 by William H. Webb, a preeminent shipbuilder, entrepreneur, and philanthropist of the 19th century. It is located on the grounds of the former Herbert L. Pratt estate, “The Braes,” in Glen Cove, N.Y., on Long Island Sound.

For further information please contact Ms. Kerri Allegretta at kallegretta@webb.edu.

The link to President Michel’s inauguration speech is:
http://www.webb-institute.edu/president%E2%80%99s-inauguration-speech.html