Photo by Darren Farrell: Rear Admiral Randy Mahr, Commander, Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division; Joseph Urgo, St. Mary’s College president; and Bonnie Green, executive director, The Patuxent Partnership, at signing ceremony on October 18.
The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, and The Patuxent Partnership have formalized an educational partnership agreement that will advance scientific research and foster academic growth in science, mathematics, technology, and engineering. Representatives from those organizations gathered on the college campus Tuesday, Oct. 18, to sign the agreement.
The signers included Joseph Urgo, St. Mary’s College president; Rear Admiral Randy Mahr, Commander, NAWCAD; and Bonnie Green, executive director, The Patuxent Partnership, a non-profit member organization that works with government, industry, and academia to advance technology-related education and workforce development.
“This agreement formalizes a partnership with the Navy that has existed for several years in the form of student internships and faculty research collaborations,” said Urgo. “I’m glad for the opportunity to more closely collaborate on our shared goals of advancing research and academic growth in Southern Maryland.”
“The labs on the base are national assets to be shared with St. Mary’s faculty and student interns alike,” said Mahr. “We need the bright young minds at St. Mary’s to work with us, in physics and math and the visual arts. We welcome you formally today to come learn and create with us.”
Bonnie Green, of The Patuxent Partnership, expressed her satisfaction with the agreement. “Our work on behalf of workforce development and technology-related education affirms the value of the partnership between the three entities and its impact on the future workforce.”
The agreement will also provide educational experiences for St. Mary’s College of Maryland students and faculty using expertise, unique facilities, equipment and technology. Furthermore, the agreement will facilitate student internships, particularly in fields relating to the real-world technical applications required by the U.S. Navy.