NEW LONDON, Conn. — The U.S. Coast Guard Academy has named Dr. Vincent Wilczynski of Old Lyme, Conn., and Professor Patrick Knowles of Waterford, Conn., the Class of 1953 Fellows for the year 2013.
They are both graduates of the Coast Guard Academy Class of 1983 and have excelled in their professions after retirement from the Coast Guard.
The Class of 1953 Fellowship is dedicated to honoring graduates who have made extraordinary contributions outside their Coast Guard careers and return to the Academy to share their practical success with the Corps of Cadets.
Following their Coast Guard careers, the co-recipients of the fellowships have both remained in academia to continue teaching and administration in the field of engineering, and both have retained close ties to the Coast Guard Academy. Wilczynski and Knowles, both retired Coast Guard officers, continue to stay involved in Academy activities. Capt. Wee Smith (Ret.), Class of 1953 treasurer, will be attending the presentation of the fellowship awards.
Vincent Wilczynski, former Chair, Department of Engineering at the Coast Guard Academy, is currently the Deputy Dean of the School of Engineering & Applied Science at Yale University. As the Deputy Dean, Wilczynski works directly with the Dean of the School of Engineering & Applied Science to plan and implement all academic initiatives at the school. In addition, he manages the school’s teaching and research resources and facilities. Previously, Wilczynski served as the Chair, Dept. of Engineering, at the Coast Guard Academy. Wilczynski served in fellowships at the MIT Charles Stark Draper Laboratory and at the Harvard School of Public Health, and was the National Director of the FIRST Robotics Competition.
His professional interests are in the areas of data acquisition and analysis, mechanical design and virtual teams for product development. He presently serves on the Executive Advisory Board of the FIRST Foundation and on the Naval Engineering in the 21st Century Committee of the National Academy of Engineering. Previously he served as the Vice President of Public Awareness for the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, as a national officer of the American Society for Engineering Education and as an evaluator for the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Wilczynski was named the 2001 Baccalaureate College Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation, the only national award which recognizes outstanding college teaching. He lives in Old Lyme, Conn., with his wife Jean, and three sons, Peter, Tim and Patrick.
Patrick Knowles, is a professor of mechanical/manufacturing engineering technology at Three Rivers Community College. Knowles graduated from the Coast Guard Academy in 1983 with a B.S. in civil engineering. While a cadet, he was a four-year letter winner in both football and wrestling. Other degrees include an M.S.E. in Mechanical Engineering from University of Michigan; and an M.S.E. in Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering from University of Michigan. He is currently a licensed professional engineer. Additionally, and most important to his earned 1953 Fellowship, he has selflessly coached Coast Guard football for the past 17 years without compensation. His commitment to the Coast Guard Academy is beyond reproach. This will be Knowles’ 17th year on the Bears staff. Pat and his wife Ann reside in Norwich, Conn., with their children Mark, Lydia, Lauren and Julia.
