January 7, 2014
01/08/14 Senator Donnelly today announced his nomination for admittance to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY. Out of the 128 nomination requests he received, Senator Donnelly was able to nominate 10 students per academy.
Among those nominated locally was:
Spencer Ragsdale of Culver to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
Donnelly said, “It is a great privilege to have the opportunity to nominate outstanding young Hoosiers to our nation’s service academies. If accepted, these young people will receive a top-quality education and will be prepared for successful careers as officers in our military. I want to thank everyone who applied for their desire to serve our country.”
Individuals chosen are evaluated using a competitive system recommended by the academies. The selection process includes a personal interview by Senator Donnelly’s Service Academy Nominations Committee and a thorough review of the applicant’s essays, academic records, letters of recommendation, community involvement, character, and leadership experience.
A congressional nomination is not a guarantee of admission. The final decision will be made by the academy itself following a “whole-person” evaluation that considers a candidate’s character, scholarship, leadership, physical aptitude, medical fitness, goals, and motivation.
If you or someone you know is a high school student interested in applying next year or in the years ahead for a service academy, please visit Senator Donnelly’s website (www.donnelly.senate.gov) for more information.