Distinguished Philanthropist Award 2011

ADM Robert E. Kramek, USCG (ret), Class of 1961

Admiral Kramek was the 20th Commandant of the Coast Guard. During his tenure the service significantly expanded its global reach and influence, responded to numerous tragedies, was very effective in environmental response and ushered into service the next generation of coastal and seagoing buoy tenders in the fleet among many other accomplishments. He oversaw the development of the USCG Academy as the Leadership Training Center, merging and consolidating programs from around the country here in New London. This naval architect and marine engineer had a very distinguished career and when he retired he did so as a four-star Admiral. And for anyone who knew him none of that should be surprising. In fact, if we look back on his Academy days, a quick glance at the 1961 edition of the Tide Rips yearbook offers a glimpse of who Bob was at the beginning of his Coast Guard career. A direct quote from the text next to his photograph says, “A tremendous amount of natural ability combined with a conscientious desire to do a job correctly is a good indication that Bob will be right on top wherever he may be.”

The same is true when it comes to his Academy, his Alumni Association and his Class of 1961. Admiral Kramek is a consistent and increasingly generous contributor to the Academy’s Alumni Association. He has been a member of the Henriques Society, our top annual giving recognition, for most of the last ten years. He and his wife Pat continue to be recognized in our Celestial Circle as one of the top twenty donors to our Association each year and their cumulative giving of more than $118,000 to the organization has now placed them in our Royal Circle, the second highest level of recognition for cumulative giving. In his own Class of 1961 he is the largest contributor to the Alumni Association.

Admiral Kramek, a previous recipient of our Distinguished Alumnus award, not only consistently contributes his own treasure to our Association but he also is leading the charge on a Class of 1961 campaign that will positively impact the Academy for decades. His ongoing efforts to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars from classmates for the replacement of the Marine Science Research Boat at the Academy is yielding extremely positive results as well as accolades from the academic and administrative areas of the Academy. By providing this leadership and an example of very generous support he is helping more of his classmates become contributors and together they are providing a new scientific platform on a cutting edge marine vessel. I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with the Admiral on this project; I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the experience and look forward to seeing the new marine science boat launched when the successful campaign concludes.

Robert Kramek understands the importance of giving back generously in many ways and we are grateful for his time, his talent, his leadership and for the gifts of treasure. His support is multiplied by the gifts of others who follow his lead and with that there is no doubt that we will continue to reach our goals to support the Academy in all the ways that we can.