Coast Guard Captain Linda Fagan, School of Marine and Environmental Affairs (SMEA) class of 2000, has been promoted to Rear Admiral.  U.S. Coast Guard News reports that “Fagan serves as Captain of the Port of New York and New Jersey, which oversees Coast Guard missions in the New York and northern New Jersey region”.[1]  She was the first woman to hold that post.[2]

Fagan spent her time at SMEA studying marine transportation and graduated in only five quarters.  She produced a thesis under the tutelage of the late Professor Emeritus Douglas Fleming and Professor Thomas Leschine focusing on improving the quality of information in marine transportation and risk reduction.   Fagan graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy before attending the University of Washington.  Approximately 21 Coast Guard members have studied at SMEA since Fagan earned her Master of Marine Affairs.

Admiral Fagan’s promotion comes as no surprise to SMEA Director Tom Leschine.  After graduating from SMEA, Leschine was pleased to see Fagan become the Coast Guard’s Division Chief of the Foreign and Offshore Compliance Office.  “Linda showed superior work habits and goal-orientation.  From the day she arrived at SMEA, you could tell she was headed somewhere.”

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Thomas McKenzie, http://www.newyork.uscgnews.com/go/doc/802/1284395/.