At his retirement celebration from the US Coast Guard Academy (USCGA), Dr. Vincent Wilczynski (left) stands with US Rep. Joe Courtney in this file photo. Wilczynski has been named a Class of 1953 Fellow for 2013 by the USCGA.

Dr. Vincent Wilczynski of Old Lyme has been named one of two Class of 1953 Fellows for the year 2013 by the U. S. Coast Guard Academy.  The other recipient of this prestigious honor is Professor Patrick Knowles of Waterford, Conn.

Both are graduates of the Class of 1983 and have excelled in their professions after retirement from the Coast Guard.   Previous recipients have been from all over the nation.

The Class of 1953 Fellowship is dedicated to honoring deserving graduates who have made extraordinary contributions outside their Coast Guard careers, and return to share their practical success’ with the Corps of Cadets.  Capt. Wee Smith (Ret.), treasurer of the Class of 1953, the founder of the fellowship, will be on hand to enjoy the presentation of the fellowship awards.

The co-recipients of the fellowships have both gone off to academia to continue teaching and administration in the field of engineering and both have retained close ties to USCGA.   Dr. Wilczynski and Professor Knowles, both retired Coastguard officers, continue to stay involved in CGA activities.

Wilczynski, former Chair, Department of Engineering at USCGA, is currently the Deputy Dean of the School of Engineering & Applied Science at Yale University.  As the Deputy Dean, Wilczynski works directly with the Dean of the School of Engineering & Applied Science to plan and implement all academic initiatives at the School.  In addition, he manages the School’s teaching and research resources and facilities.

Previously Wilczynski served as the Chair, Dept. of Engineering at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

He also served in fellowships at the MIT Charles Stark Draper Laboratory and at the Harvard School of Public Health, and was the National Director of the FIRST Robotics Competition.

His professional interests are in the areas of data acquisition and analysis, mechanical design and virtual teams for product development.  He presently serves on the Executive Advisory Board of the FIRST Foundation and on the Naval Engineering in the 21st Century Committee of the National Academy of Engineering.

Previously he served as the Vice President of Public Awareness for the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, as a national officer of the American Society for Engineering Education, and as an evaluator for the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

Wilczynski was named the 2001 Baccalaureate College Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation, the only national award which recognizes outstanding college teaching.  He is enjoys life in Old Lyme with his wife Jean, and three sons, Peter, Tim and Patrick.

Knowles, is a Professor of Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering Technology at Three Rivers Community College.  He entered the Coast Guard Academy from Missouri and graduated in 1983 with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. While a cadet, he was a four-year letter winner in both football and wrestling.

Other degrees include an M.S.E. in  Mechanical Engineering from University of Michigan; and an M.S.E. in Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering from University of Michigan.  He is currently a licensed professional engineer.

Additionally, and most important to his earned “1953 Fellowship,” he has coached Coast Guard football for the past 17 years — for no compensation.  He begins his 17th year on the Bears staff.

Knowles and his wife Ann reside in Norwich with their children Mark (24), Lydia (22), Lauren (13) and Julia (8).