Kinney Lecture Series Endowed

The US Friends of the World Maritime University marked its 20th Anniversary by endowing a series of lectures. The lectures are knows as the Kinney Lectures, and have been established in honor of Admiral Sheldon Kinney, distinguished retired Admiral of the US Navy, former Superintendent of the US Naval Academy at Annapolis, second Rector of WMU and Founding Chairman of the US Friends of WMU.

The lectures are given by invited guests of international eminence, and are planned to take place annually, in association with the meeting of the Board of Governors in early summer.

• The 2007 Sheldon Kinney Lecture was given by RADM Robert C. Olsen, Jr. USCG (Ret.), President of Webb Institute, on the topic of Maritime Education.

• The 2006 Sheldon Kinney Lecture was presented on 31 May by Captain Richard Soper of the USA, whose topic was the 50th Anniversary of Container Shipping. Capt. Soper presented a first hand account of the very beginning of container shipping originated by Malcolm McLean and included anecdotes of maritime history and wisdom as well an outline of the future issues to be addressed as container shipping continues to develop. The lecture was delivered at WMU in Malmo by Gerald Malia, President of the US Friends of WMU, as Captain Soper’s health prevented him from traveling to Sweden.

• The 2005 Sheldon Kinney Lecture was given by Dr. Donald Liu of the USA, international renowned naval architect and former senior executive of ABS. The lecture, on 8 June, was followed by a reception for staff and students.

• The inaugural Sheldon Kinney Lecture was given in 2004 by William A. O’Neill, former WMU Chancellor and IMO Secretary-General.