This Week in the History of The Apprentice School at Newport … · 2019-10-31 · This Week in the...

This Week in the History of The Apprentice School

at Newport News Shipbuilding October 27, 2019

Date Event

10/27/2014 The Apprentice School was represented by Todd Estes

(College/University Program Liaison) and apprentice Jeremy

Hancock (Modeling and Simulation Program Analyst) at the

21st National Advanced Technological Education

Conference, American Association of Community Colleges

in Washington, D.C. They participated in an industry

roundtable and a panel on registered apprenticeship. Jeremy

also represented Tidewater Community College.

10/1978 In October 1978, the Industrial Management Development Program for apprentice

graduates was initiated. Conducted in conjunction with Thomas Nelson Community

College, and offering 54 credit hours of instruction plus job rotations, the program

increased retention of outstanding graduates and prepared the participants for positions in

Operations management.

11/1/1995 he November 1, 1995 issue of Industry Week magazine

featured a story on The Apprentice School, which

focused on an interview with W. R. "Pat" Phillips, Jr.,

President and Chief Executive Officer of Newport News

Shipbuilding, and the first Apprentice School graduate

(Piping Designer, Class of 1954) to serve as president.

Under the leadership of W. R. "Pat" Phillips, Jr.,

President and CEO of Newport News Shipbuilding, the

Company directed the School to reestablish Design

Apprenticeships, which had been discontinued in 1980.

Apprentice School staff members Frank Satchell

(Atomic Designer, Class of 1967) Administrator of

Academics, Allen Doughty, Design Program

Coordinator, and Dr. Jim Hughes, Manager of

Academics and Admissions, planned and developed the new design programs. The

Advanced Technical Education Curriculum (ATEC), which Frank Satchell had maintained

during the 14-year interval, became the core academic curriculum; Allen Doughty worked

with the various Engineering departments to lay out the craft training rotations, and Jim

Hughes coordinated program approvals with the Virginia Apprenticeship Council and the

Council on Occupational Education. The academic program also partnered with Thomas

Nelson Community College to provide courses in engineering technology.

11/2/2015 During the week of November 2-6, 2015, National Apprenticeship Week, the City of

Newport News issued a proclamation recognizing The Apprentice School, in operation for

96 years with over 10,000 graduates.



Date Event

10/25/1986 The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) was

commissioned as the fourth Nimitz-class nuclear-powered

aircraft carrier. Vice President Richard A. "Dick" Broad

(Outside Machinist, Class of 1942) had been called out of

retirement by NNS President Ed Campbell to lead the effort

to complete the ship on time. In an ambitious campaign

called "Get Teddy Ready," that mission was accomplished.

Dick Broad's career with Newport News Shipbuilding was

noted for his leadership in nuclear engineering and his

unique relationship with Admiral Rickover, considered to be

the "father of the nuclear navy." Broad's career was

advanced by a scholarship to the University of Michigan,

where he earned a degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, and his selection

to a team of NNS engineers who went to Oak Ridge, Tennessee to study nuclear power and

its potential applications for naval ship propulsion. He became vice president of Nuclear

Power in 1963 and served in that position until his retirement in 1986. Fully 40 nuclear-

powered ships were completed at NNS during those years. Starting at The Apprentice

School, he was a true pioneer

10/26/2008 The Inaugural Cardboard

Boat Regatta, sponsored

by the student chapter of

the Society of

Manufacturing Engineers,

The Apprentice School,

to benefit the Shriners

Hospitals for Children,

was held at Deer Park.

There were 11 entries.

The Judge's description of the race: The Paper Tiger (#7) started out the race in first, but

the Fabricator (#5) was able to pass around the 1st buoy and eventually win the race. The

Paper Tiger ended up in 3rd place after a strong 2nd place by U.S.S. CATIA v4 (#6). The

U.S.S. Corrugated Minnow was the first to sink right at the start, closely followed by the

USS UN-SOG-ABLE. The USS UN-SOB-ABLE was able to right itself and eventually

finish the race. The U.S.S. Corrugated Minnow was the only boat that did not finish the

race.

10/26/1897 Apprentice wages were set at $3.00 per week and went up to $5.00 per week in the fourth

year. All apprentices were to serve four years.



Date Event

10/15/1963 Moses Easter, Jr. (Machinist, Class of 1963) was the first

African-American athlete to enroll at the School. According

to author Douglas Williams, Easter had been a multi-sport

athlete at George Washington Carver High School in

Newport News. When he reported to Coach Pop Lamkin in

August of 1959, he "forever changed the face of Apprentice

School athletics." He played football for the Builders for

five seasons, from 1959 to 1963. Easter was an exceptional

player and a fine individual, according to his former

teammates. He left NNS in 1965 for a very successful career

in real estate, graduated from Hampton University and

became a community leader. He died in 1988 at the age of

48. According to Williams, "He was the rare sort of

individual who added something positive to the lives of

everyone who knew him."

10/18/1969 In 1969 the School's 50th Anniversary

was held in conjunction with the

Homecoming football game on October

18th. The Builders did not disappoint,

defeating Gallaudet College 47 to 13. A

Daily Press writer said that they,

"incorporated a grueling, explosive

offense with a quicksilver defense to pay

homage to the Builders' homecoming

queen." It was reminiscent of their very

first game fifty years earlier on

November 8, 1919, when they defeated

Norfolk Tech by 27 to 12. The

Apprentice School Student Association

presented a golden anniversary plaque to the School and a history booklet, Eighty Years of

Training, compiled by apprentices Mark C. Beveridge (Machinery Designer, Class of 1971)

and Robert A. Roth (Piping Designer, Class of 1971) was presented to Shipyard President

L. C. "Bud" Ackerman. Maurine Walker was crowned Homecoming Queen, with Director

of Education and Training D. Boyd Thomas and Supervisor of Apprentice Training John

Pirkle (Hull Designer, Class of 1948) in attendance. The Newport News High School Band

marched and provided music for the celebration. Francie E. Hartman (Machinist, Class of

1963), Emory Earl Wilson (Machinist, Class of 1957) past Alumni Association president,

and James P. Healy (Machinist, Class of 1959) and current Alumni Association president,

are holding the anniversary banner.

1928 Popular longtime mathematics instructor Paul B. Givens,

born in Craig County, Virginia, come to Newport News in

1926. He had graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute

in 1925 with a degree in Industrial Engineering. Givens

started his NNS career in the Machinist Iron and Plant

Engineering Departments, then in January 1928 was

appointed as a mathematics instructor in The Apprentice

School. He remained in that position for over 46 years until

his retirement in 1964. Probably over 2,000 apprentices

benefited from his teaching during that time. Paul Givens

was a good teacher and a fine person, with legions of friends

and associates. After years of retirement at his Hilton

Village home on Ferguson Avenue, he died at age 85 in

1985.



Date Event

10/6/1955 William Franklin "Bones" Haskins, Jr. completed his

apprenticeship on October 6, 1955 (Pipefitter, Class of 1955).

During his apprenticeship, he was an outstanding basketball player.

During his career at Newport News Shipbuilding, he served as

director, Marketing. He was also actively involved with local

government, serving on the Newport News City Council. He was

president of the Apprentice Alumni Association for 1966 and 1967.

Mike Petters said he learned an important lesson from Bill Haskins

when they worked together in Marketing -- "Follow the money!"

10/6/1987 Walter Vincent "Vince" Warren (Pipefitter, Class of 1987)

completed his apprenticeship on October 6, 1987. His many

positions at NNS have included Specialist Pipefitter, Piping

Designer, Apprentice Craft Instructor, General Foreman, Manager

of Product Training, Manager of Strategic Projects, and from 2012

through 2018, Manager of Craft Training with The Apprentice

School. Vince made many significant contributions to the School,

including the establishment of minimum performance requirements

for graduation, the Marine Engineer Apprenticeship program with

Old Dominion University, the Frontline FAST program, a highly

effective Apprentice Safety program, the School's Annual Reports,

published from 2012 - 2016, and the advanced program in Supply

Chain Management. Vince also served in the Night School program as an instructor and

curriculum coordinator. He continued his education and earned several degrees, including a

doctorate in Education from Liberty University in 2015.

10/9/1963 Larry Stephen Hedrick (Shipfitter,

Class of 1963) completed his

apprenticeship on October 9, 1963. A

native of North Carolina, Larry

founded Statesville Auto Auction and

Larry Hedrick Motorsports, becoming a

NASCAR racing team sponsor. In

1994, during the School's 75th

Anniversary celebration, his team

carried the Apprentice School's

anniversary logo on the hood of the

team's race car, featuring Joe

Nemechek as its primary driver.

10/12/2010 Benford Javor "Ben" Hunter, Sr. (Rigger, Class of 2014) won two

United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) national

championships in golf; as a freshman on October 12, 2010, and as a

senior on October 8, 2013.


at Newport News Shipbuilding September 29, 2019

Date Event

10/1/2014 Gary Garner (Non-Destructive Tester, Class of

2014) was recognized in the lobby of The

Apprentice School for receiving a Virginia

Apprenticeship Alumni Association scholarship to

support his studies for a master's degree in

architecture. Attending were VAAA President

Norris Williams, Hampton University Deans Eric J.

Sheppard and Almarie E. Munley, and Tunisha

George-Twine and Quentin B. Jackson, coordinator

and director of Accelerated Learning.

10/2/2011 Organized with G. Guy Via from the Material

Department as Principal, the Night School for

apprentices was conducted in the local public high

school on October 2, 1911. E. O. Smith organized a

faculty of young college graduates from the

Shipyard to teach in the Night School. Apprentices

were required to attend twice a week for two hours

each night. Arrangements were also made with the

YMCA for evening classes in mechanical drawing

on alternate nights. This arrangement continued

until May, 1919, when the school closed due to

"lack of patronage." This may have been due to disgruntlement among the apprentices that

they were not included in a retroactive pay raise to all employees engaged in government

contracts.

10/3/2005 Kim Jordan-Dillard started her apprenticeship on October 3, 2005.

She completed her Painter-Insulator apprenticeship in December

2009. At her graduation ceremonies in 2010, Kim received the

James P. Healy Community Service Award. She was selected as

the second female Blast Foreman at Newport News Shipbuilding,

working in the Special Hull Treatment Department, Virginia-Class

Submarine (VCS) program. She moved into an apprentice craft

instructor position, supervising and training coatings specialist

apprentices in VCS and Insulator apprentices on aircraft carrier new

construction. She served for six years as the School's coach for the

cheer squad. For her outstanding performance in supervising and

training young apprentices, Kim received the Frank F. Satchell, Jr. Outstanding Faculty

Award at graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2016.



Date Event

9/23/2012 The Apprentice School's student section of the Society of Naval

Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME) visited Webb Institute in

Glen Cove, N. Y. on September 21 - 23, 2012. Don Rickerson (Marine

Designer, Class of 2008), a current Webb student, hosted the group.

Rickerson was the second apprentice graduate to earn a degree in Naval

Architecture and Marine Engineering from the Webb Institute. The first

was Eugene A. "Gene" Urick (Hull Designer, Class of 1949) who was

an academic instructor and administrator at the School during his career

with Newport News Shipbuilding.

9/26/2006 The "Builderman" live mascot first appeared at the

Homecoming Football Game on September 26,

2006. His costume head was complete with long

sideburns and hair, and a hard hat and safety

earmuffs, and he wielded a sledge hammer. He

was updated in 2013.

9/20/2016 Micah Amrozowicz (Welder, Class of 2009) was appointed Head

Wrestling Coach in September 2017. He stepped up from Assistant

Coach to replace Bruce Shumaker, who was Head Coach from 2008

until 2017. His 2009 squad won the National Collegiate Wrestling

(NCWA) Championship in 2009. Micah wrestled two seasons for

the Builders, posting a record of 84-18, and was named Outstanding

Wrestler at the 2007 Virginia Duals. The 2017-2018 squad finished

within a half a point of taking the NCWA national championship in

2018.

1976 To make admission to the School more open to Company

employees, Night School classes in Apprentice School application

courses were introduced in the fall term of 1976.



Date Event

9/18/2014 2014 was a banner year for The Apprentice School and Model of

Excellence Awards, Newport News Shipbuilding's highest

honor. Manager, Admissions and Student Services, Dan

Brookman (Machinist, Class of 1976), received the award for his

outstanding leadership overseeing the construction of the new

Apprentice School building. Five others affiliated with the

School received the award for leadership and operational

excellence, including apprentice Nathan Kramer (Non-

Destructive Test Inspector), and Nathan McInnis (Production

Planner), Ryan Sparks (Shipfitter), John Thompson (Shipfitter),

and Jeffrey Gravely (Foreman, Structural Fabrication &

Assembly), all recent graduates.

9/19/1955 September 19, 1955 was the birth date of Everett Hope Jordan,

Jr., the eighth director of The Apprentice School. He was, in

fact, the second Apprentice School graduate to serve in this

capacity. The first was John Pirkle (Hull Designer, Class of

1948). Everett graduated in 1977 as a Shipfitter and enjoyed a

successful career in Waterfront management, from supervisor to

trades director, before he came to the Apprentice School in the

January of 2010 to serve as Director of Education. His seven-

year plus tenure was highlighted by a new facility, growth in the

number of advanced programs, expansion of educational

opportunities through partnerships with area community colleges

and universities, and an outstanding safety program that

significantly reduced accidents and injuries. He retired as a

Master Shipbuilder with 44 years in September of 2017 and passed away in February 2018.

9/20/2016 On September 20, 2016, the United States Patent and

Trademark Office registered the Apprentice Alumni

Association seal, with the ship's wheel, anchor, and the motto

of "Head, Heart and Hand" in the center. The official seal of

The Apprentice School was created by Richard B. “Dick”

Poythress (Class of 1937.)

9/21/1982 Kenny Logan (Electrician, Class of 1986) began his

apprenticeship on September 21, 1982. He enrolled in the

School following military service in the United States Marine

Corps for four years. Kenny is considered to be a model

apprentice craft instructor. Over the years, he has consistently

garnered extremely positive feedback from his apprentices on the

quality of his instruction and the positive manner in which he

interacts with his apprentices. Extremely knowledgeable in his

trade, he has a knack for sharing that information and providing

directions with clarity and high expectations. Kenny received the

Frank F. Satchell, Jr. Outstanding Faculty Award at graduation

ceremonies for the Class of 2007, becoming the award's third

recipient and first craft instructor to do so.



Date Event

9/8/2004 Dr. Alicia Uzzle, Manager of Academic, who joined the

academic faculty of The Apprentice School on September

8, 2004, was awarded the Frank F. Satchell, Jr. Award at

graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2012. She earned

her PhD in physics at Hampton University and conducted

research at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator

Facility in Newport News, prior to coming to The

Apprentice School. She provided excellent instruction in

physics, mechanics and mathematics. Apprentices

appreciated her clear presentation of material, her

comprehensive knowledge of the subject matter, and the

manner in which she treated them with dignity and respect. Among her numerous honors,

she received the 2012 Black Engineer of the Year Award as a Modern Day Technology

Leader.

9/8/1937 George Campbell Wiatt (Machinist, Class of 1937)

completed his apprenticeship on September 8, 1937. He

received a bachelor of science degree in mechanical

engineering from VPI in 1941. Mr. Wiatt retired in 1980 as

a manager of Cost Engineering of Newport News

Shipbuilding. He also served as president, assistant

treasurer, and director of the Newport News Shipbuilding

Employees Credit Union, now Bayport Credit Union. His

father, Alexander Todd Wiatt, was a founder of the credit

union. The A. T. Wiatt Memorial Scholarship is given

annually by the credit union to an Apprentice School

graduate continuing his or her education. Alexander Todd

Wiatt II, a grandson of George Campbell Wiatt, and

namesake of his great-grandfather, also graduated from The

Apprentice School (Pipefitter, Class of 2013).

9/10/1984 William Franklin "Bill" Smith (Sheet Metal Worker, Class of

1988) was named vice president of Fleet Support Programs for

Newport News Shipbuilding in 2017; he is responsible for all

aspects of submarine and aircraft carrier fleet support,

including Gerald R. Ford-class fleet support work. Bill began his

NNS career as an apprentice on September 10, 1984. He was an

apprentice craft instructor with the Marine Designer program in the

1990's. He became the 15th apprentice graduate to be named a

vice president in the Company's history. The others include:

Lemuel C. Robertson (Machinery Designer, Class of 1922);

Richard Broad, Jr. (Machinist, Class of 1942); William R. "Pat"

Phillips, Jr. (Piping Designer, Class of 1954); F. Farrell Sanders

(Electrician, Class of 1955); Frank M. Silva (Hull Designer, Class of 1959); John E.

Graham (Hull Designer, Class of 1961); Robert C. Hoard (Sheet Metal Worker, Class of

1961); Robert R. Hardison (Machinist, Class of 1962); Ronald D. Ward (Shipfitter, Class of

1965); John W. Temple (Pipefitter Class of 1975); William C. Bell (Marine Designer, Class

of 1976); Danny W. Hunley (Welder, Class of 1977); Ray Charles Bagley (Painter

Decorator, Class of 1978); and, Harry Robert Hogan, Jr. (Welder, Class of 1980)..



Date Event

9/2/2019 On this Labor Day we honor the work that goes into building Good Ships and Good

Shipbuilders. Apprenticeships are a time honored way of learning a trade. Hard work is

required in that learning and that has not changed over the centuries as men and women

work to become masters in their craft and leaders in our company.

9/5/1988 Timothy "Tim" House completed his

apprenticeship in the Sheet Metal Department

September 5, 1988. He completed the Advanced

Technical Education Curriculum and graduated

with academic honors. Tim had transferred into

Engineering and Design in 1996 and then was

promoted to apprentice craft instructor in October

2000, with responsibility to train and supervise

apprentices in the Sheet Metal gallery. Tim

received the Frank F. Satchell, Jr. Outstanding

Faculty Award at graduation ceremonies for the

Class of 2010. Tim was the lead instructor on the

"Dunce Cap" project for the SS United States

propeller project for the Mariners Museum, which

can be seen at the entrance on Warwick Boulevard

in Newport News.

9/5/1992 The Builder cartoon mascot was unveiled at the home football game

against Chowan College on September 5, 1992. It was the first such

mascot in Apprentice athletic history. Conceived by Director of

Athletics Bill Casto, it was an alliance of muscle, ambition and

knowledge.


at Newport News Shipbuilding August 25, 2019

Date Event

8/27/1927 Walter Beadles "Miff" Miffleton, Jr. was born

in Richmond on August 27, 1927. Raised in

the 'old' North End of Newport News, he

attended Stonewall Jackson Elementary

School and Newport News High School,

graduating in the Class of February 1944. He

served in the United States Army Air Corps

Aviation Cadet Program. For 52 years, he

was an employee of Newport News

Shipbuilding, having graduated from the

Apprentice School, as a Hull Draftsman

(Class of 1953). He was Construction

Manager of the Nuclear Aircraft Carrier

Project, a job which he held for 22 years. In

total, he was involved in the construction or the overhaul of 21 aircraft carriers, including

most all of the Nimitz-class. His career served as a model for apprentices to study in the

iLead Personal Leadership Development Program. Earlier in his shipyard career, he served

as a staff supervisor in the Steel Hull Division and later as the first superintendent of the

then newly formed Maintenance Department.

8/29/1949 Robert Franklin Beard, Jr. (Machinist, Class of

1949), a native of North Carolina, completed his

apprenticeship on August 29, 1949. During his

apprenticeship, Beard played football,

basketball and ran track. His best sport was

basketball, and he captained the 1948-1949

team coached by Gordon "Pop" Lamkin, that

completed the season with a 15-10 record.

Assistant coaches included Willard Warren and

Emmett Heath. Fellow players included Bob

Lincoln, Eddie Cooper, Frank Hopkins, Lou

Liberty, Conley Smith, Jim Beck and Buddy

Bryant. Beard's apprenticeship was interrupted by World War II and he served three years

in the U. S. Navy on anti-submarine patrol in the Pacific. After completing his

apprenticeship, Beard attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute and earned a bachelor's

degree in Industrial Arts Education. His career was with the Virginia Department of Labor

and Industry, where he served as Assistant Commissioner from 1968 to 1977, and

Commissioner from 1978 to 1982, having been appointed by Governor John Dalton.

1924 Nathan J. Levy (Engine Draftsman, 1924) and John

Burton Steen (Machinery Designer, Class of 1925) were

the first recipients of a Newport News Shipbuilding

scholarship inaugurated by Shipyard officials to

recognize the highest ranking apprentices in each class

and award them a college scholarship. Levy graduated

from Virginia Polytechnic Institute (now Virginia Tech)

and enjoyed a successful career with the Company,

serving as Chief, Time Study Department. Steen also

attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute, but illness forced

him to withdraw, and he returned to Newport News

Shipbuilding and worked in the machinery drawing

room for 14 years. Steen studied law under a private

tutor, passed the bar exam, and left Newport News

Shipbuilding in 1940. His career took him to shipyards

on both the west and east coasts.



Date Event

8/24/1919 The Apprentice School's

first football team, coached

by Jim Preas, former

Georgia Tech place kicker,

was undefeated in its six-

game season. Preas' 1920

team holds the record for

most points scored,

outscoring opponents 325-

25. Preas was head coach

for three years (1919-1921)

and compiled a record of 18-3-1. The School's tradition of fielding collegiate-level sports

teams derives in part from Homer L. Ferguson, President and CEO, Newport News

Shipbuilding, who wholeheartedly believed in the value of athletics. In 1926 he was quoted

in the publication Manufacturers Record, "Anyone who neglects the athletic side of training

boys neglects about 50 per cent of the whole proposition.....they learn to play a clean, fair

game....and any man who learns the same squarely is an asset to his employer. I think it is

the most important single thing that a man can learn."

1986 Intercollegiate competition in tennis was

reincarnated in 1979 but phased out in

1991. Former players and then Head

coaches Mike Flanagan (Machinist, Class

of 1982) and Bryan Kersey (Pipefitter,

Class of 1987) had successful teams in

the 1980's and 1990's. The 1986 tennis

team had an outstanding season, 15-1, the

best ever. The pivotal match during this

season was a 5-4 upset over Roanoke

College which was a most satisfying win

for Coach Mike Flanagen and his players,

which included Bryan Kersey. Due to

declining enrollments and limited

resources, however, the intercollegiate cross country and soccer programs were

discontinued with the Fall 1986 season. Similar factors contributed to the demise of the

track and field teams in 1992. For several years, the sports programs consisted of football,

baseball, golf, wrestling and men's basketball, until there was the addition of women's

basketball in 1995, another first for The Apprentice School.



Date Event

8/11/1919 G. Guy Via assumed responsibility for

establishing the School on Company grounds

with training conducted during working hours.

He began with a faculty of three instructors:

E. B. Givens in science; E. R. James in

mathematics; and, L. A. Harrison in drafting.

The School operated under the guidance of an

Educational Advisory Committee established

by Mr. Homer L. Ferguson. This committee

included Charles F. Bailey, Engineering

Director, and Niels Christiansen,

Superintendent of Machinery. There were

126 apprentices on roll.

8/1975 Donald E. Jacklich came to Newport News in August of 1975 as

Director of Human Resources Development and The Apprentice

School. He had previously worked for the Bell System Center

for Technical Education in Indiana. He held degrees from

Benedictine College and Northern Illinois University.

According to an article in the 1976 Binnacle, Jacklich's purpose

was to, "rejuvenate and reset the course of The Apprentice

School. Apprentices were overwhelmed by his enthusiastic

attitude and his plans for the future of the school." According to

Frank Satchell, apprentice academic instructor, Jacklich introduced objective learning, i.e.,

using brief statements that describe what students are expected to learn in a given period.

This was effective and was carried forward by future administrators. Don Jacklich had

integrity and charisma, and he was well liked by students and staff at the School. But

unfortunately, he disagreed with senior management over issues dealing with personnel and

he left the School and the Company right after commencement in 1976.

8/2011 The National Association of Intercollegiate

Athletics (NAIA) signed an agreement with The

Apprentice School that recognized contests between

NAIA member institutions and The Apprentice

School for championships selections, team statistics,

coach and player statistics. This strengthened

institutional relations and increased scheduling

opportunities for Apprentice athletics. This

agreement was similar to one negotiated with the

National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in 1986.



Date Event

8/4/1986 Thomasina Russell Wright (Mold Loft Worker, Class of 1986)

completed her apprenticeship on August 4, 1986. She continued

her education at Thomas Nelson Community College (AS), Old

Dominion University (BSME), and the College of William and

Mary (MBA), and became the first female apprentice graduate to

be appointed a director at Newport News Shipbuilding, as

Director of Subcontract Management. She married fellow

apprentice graduate, Kenny Wright, also a mold loft apprentice.

8/7/1941 John Milton Pirkle, (Hull Designer, Class of 1948), began

his apprenticeship as a shipfitter on August 7, 1941. His

apprenticeship was interrupted by World War II; he served

in the US Army from July 1944 to February 1946. He

became a Hull Designer on April 1, 1946. He attended

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, earned his graduate

degree, and returned to The Apprentice School as an

academic instructor in 1953. He was named Assistant

Director of Education and Training in 1963 and became

director of Education and Training and head of The

Apprentice School in 1970, becoming the first Apprentice School graduate to hold this

position. He left Newport News Shipbuilding sometime after 1975 and later retired from

Ingalls Shipbuilding as a systems engineer. John Pirkle was a dedicated educator and

administrator who once said that The Apprentice School was, "the best program I know of

anywhere, designed to develop the hand, the head, and the heart as young people equip

themselves for meaningful citizenship." John Pirkle died at age 80 in 2011.

8/9/1971 Michael Keenan, Jr. (Sheet Metal Worker, Class of 1971) completed his apprenticeship on

August 9, 1971. A graduate of Old Dominion University with an MBA from the College of

William and Mary, Mike held numerous positions during his 30 years at Newport News

from Hull Outfitting Foreman, Blast/Coat Superintendent, Plant Manager of Asheville

Industries, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary, to Director of Commercial Construction. In

1996, Mike became president of Tampa Bay Shipbuilding, a shipyard that once belonged to

George Steinbrenner, owner of the New York Yankees. Tampa Bay Shipbuilding, a joint

venture owned by Gulf Marine Repair Co. of Tampa and Bender Shipbuilding & Repair

Co. of Mobile, Ala., was selected in 1997 by the Tampa Port Authority to take over

operation of the largest shipbuilding facility at the Port of Tampa. In 2000 Mike left

Tampa to run, and eventually own, International Marine and Industrial Applicators in

Alabama.


at Newport News Shipbuilding July 28, 2019

Date Event

7/31/2012 During a July 31, 2012 ceremony in Washington, D.C., U. S.

Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis and the U. S. Department of

Labor's Office of Apprenticeship recognized the School as a

21st Century Registered Apprenticeship Trailblazer and

Innovator of programs, practices, strategies and partnerships

that play a critical role in the development of the 21st Century

workforce. Everett Jordan (Shipfitter, Class of 1977), Director

of Education, was a featured speaker at this summit.

8/3/1987 Bryan Keith Kersey (Pipefitter, Class of 1987) completed

his apprenticeship on August 3, 1987. He played basketball

and tennis for The Apprentice School and coached the

School's tennis team. Bryan continued his education at

Christopher Newport University, started an insurance

agency in Newport News, and began an officiating career in

college basketball, calling many Atlantic Coast Conference

(ACC) games and NCAA tournaments. In April, 2016

Bryan was appointed to be the coordinator of basketball

officials for the ACC. .

8/3/1919 Five graduates on August 3, 1919, were the first in

the newly organized Apprentice School's history.

They were Edgar F. Lochstamfor (Molder, Class of

1919), Emerson Davis, (Machinist, Class of 1919),

Robert B. Jackson (Machinist, Class of 1919),

William Campbell (Hull Designer, Class of 1919),

and David Dick (Hull Designer, Class of 1919).

They were graduates #441 to #445.



Date Event

7/23/1994 On Saturday, July 23, 1994, The

Apprentice School celebrated its

75th Anniversary with a Gala

Celebration, Dinner and Dance,

held at the Hampton University

Convocation Center. Robert R.

"Bob" Hardison (Machinist,

Class of 1962), vice president,

Quality and Technical Services,

served as master of ceremonies.

The invocation was given by

George E. Meese, Sr. (Hull

Designer, Class of 1941).

Lemuel C. Robertson (Machinery Designer, Class of 1922), retired vice president, gave the

anniversary toast. W. R. "Pat" Phillips, Jr. (Piping Designer, Class of 1954), president and

chief executive officer of Newport News Shipbuilding, gave greetings and remarks.

Special presentations were given by Robert S. Baumgardner (Toolmaker, Class of 1957),

Director of Apprenticeship, Virginia Department of Labor and Industry, Robert G. Pullen

(Machinist, Class of 1994), president of the Apprentice School Students' Association, and

Robert G. Drury (Mold Loftsman, Class of 1977), president, Apprentice Alumni

Association. Remarks were also given by James E. Wallace, director, Training and

Development, NNS.

7/24/1969 James Hamilton "Jim" Bundick, Jr. (Machinery Designer,

Class of 1969) completed his apprenticeship on July 24,

1969. He played football at The Apprentice School and

continued his education at Marshall University in West

Virginia, where he also played football on scholarship,

1971-1975. (The 1971 team was featured in the movie,

"We Are Marshall." His career took him into automotive

services and he held executive positions with Tire

America, Tire Kingdom, Western Auto, and Sears, where

he was responsible for the total automotive business as

Vice President, General Merchandise Manager. Retired

and living in Williamsburg, Virginia, Jim is now partner

and co-founder of Solar Control in Richmond. .

1950’s In the 1950's, Newport News

Shipbuilding experienced

difficulties in recruiting for

engineers, especially in naval

architecture, marine engineering,

and nuclear engineering.

Shipyard scholarships were

awarded to apprentice graduates,

apprentice designers in their 4th

year, as well as other qualified

employees. Among those who

benefitted from these scholarships were W. R. Phillips, Jr. (Piping Designer, 1954) who

became President and CEO, Frank M. Silva (Hull Designer, 1959) who served as Vice

President for Contracts Administration, and James F. Dollar (Piping Designer, 1968). Both

Phillips and Silva graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute. Dollar graduated from the

University of Michigan. He also earned a degree in dentistry and practiced in Newport

News. In the mid-1970's, the scholarship programs were discontinued.



Date Event

7/17/1968 Glen Allen Davenport (Hull Designer, Class of

1968) completed his apprenticeship on July 17,

1968. He has built a successful career in the

insurance and financial services business in

Newport News and is president of Teagle Insurance

Agency, Inc. Glen is a past president of the

Apprentice Alumni Association, and currently

serves as a member of the Board of Directors. He

is the Association's Outside Representative and

Retiree Chair. He also serves on the Board of

Directors for the Apprentice School Foundation.

He served as president of the Apprentice Alumni

Association for 1972 and 1973.

7/17/1986 Kevin Brown Amis (Welder, Class of 1986) completed his

apprenticeship on July 17, 1986. Having spent the early

part of his career at Newport News Shipbuilding, Kevin

transferred to Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding Gulf Coast

Operations and was appointed vice president, Operations,

on June 16, 2008. With Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII)

Ingalls Shipbuilding division, he served as program

director, DDG 1000 Program. On August 7, 2014, the

program delivered the composite deckhouse for the

destroyer Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001) to the U. S. Navy.

Amis earned a bachelor's degree in technology management

from Saint Leo College in 1993. Prior to his apprenticeship,

he had earned an associate's degree in welding technology

from Morehead State University.

7/20/1952 Various clubs and social organizations were founded during

the late 1940's and 1950's, including the Apprentice Bible

Study Club in the summer of 1952, the Cotillion Club

established in 1948, the German Club founded in 1958, and

the Cavalier Club that started in 1959. By 1962, all of these

clubs had ceased operation. However, "these clubs greatly

enriched the apprentice experience, contributing to the

camaraderie characteristic of the School."

7/1994 In 1994 the 75th Anniversary Alumni Directory was published by the

Apprentice Alumni Association. In addition to listing all living

alumni alphabetically, it also grouped them by class year, trade, and

place of residence. It was a monumental work of almost 200 pages

and included a short pictorial history of the School. Also, A Century

of Developing Shipbuilders, a well-researched and written history of

The Apprentice School and Apprenticeship at Newport News

Shipbuilding by Sue Ellen Hargadon (a graduate student at The

College of William and Mary), was published. (Excerpt from Fox,

144).



Date Event

7/7/2003 After completing his apprenticeship on July 7, 2003, Mike Reaves

developed expertise in the operation of computer numerically

controlled (CNC) machines and brought his knowledge and

enthusiasm for CNC programming to the apprenticeship program,

when he was promoted to an apprentice craft instructor position in the

machine shop in May of 2006. He updated a CNC course, developed

a CNC lab, and took over the GibbsCAM Program, a computer-aided

manufacturing system. The result was that his apprentices were

introduced to CNC machines much earlier in their apprenticeship. He

was recognized with the Frank F. Satchell, Jr. Outstanding Faculty

Award at graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2013.

7/8/1975 Chincoteague native Stephen "Steve" Hall was first employed as an

associate chemist at the NNS Materials Laboratory on November 8,

1971. He had earned a BS in Chemistry from the University of

Richmond in 1970 and was later awarded an MA in Education at

George Washington University in 1979. He wanted to teach at NNS,

so he became an instructor of mathematics and science at the School

on July 8, 1975. He also taught ship construction, shipbuilding

operations, and communications during his long tenure of 43-plus

years. Interviewed for the March 2010 issue of the Builder Bulletin,

Steve gave some wise advice, as follows: "Read your notes and work

problems daily, continue to work on your next degree at night, don't take too many hours at

night, and stay involved through the Apprentice Alumni Association." Steve retired in

March 2019.

7/1987 Joseph Scott Christman (Pipefitter, Class of 1987) began his

apprenticeship on September 12, 1983 and completed on July 6, 1987.

Scott continued his education at Thomas Nelson Community College

and Old Dominion University, earning his doctoral degree in

Occupational and Technology Studies in 2015. Scott served in the

academic program as academic instructor from 1997 to 2005, when he

became manager, Student Services. He left Newport News

Shipbuilding in July, 2017 and was appointed as Director of Training

and Apprenticeship programs at Bath Iron Works in Maine.

7/1985 Succeeding Norm Snead as Head Coach of Apprentice Football in

July 1985, Phil Janaro, a former assistant coach at The College of

William and Mary, compiled a 16-12-0 record in three years. His

1987 team went 8-2, its most successful season in recent history.

Janaro returned to be head coach again from 2002-2007 and compiled

a 26-33 record during his second term. He holds the record for the

second-most wins at The Apprentice School with 42 victories,

following Norm Snead, who had 46 victories from head coaching

stints in 1977-1984 and 1988-1989, and ahead of Paul Hoffmann, who

compiled 34 victories, in 1990-1997 and 2012-2013. After 2007, Janaro served the School

as Manager of Student Services and Athletics, then as Manager of Admissions, Athletics

and Student Services until his retirement. In retirement, however, Janaro has returned to

assist the football program as an assistant coach several times. His teams were very

competitive against NCAA Divisions II and III small colleges. .


at Newport News Shipbuilding June 30, 2019

Date Event

6/30/1949 Eugene Anthony "Gene" Urick (Hull Designer, Class of

1949) completed his apprenticeship on June 30, 1949. He

graduated from the Webb Institute of Naval Architecture and

Marine Engineering in New York and returned to work at

Newport News Shipbuilding. He was among the first groups

of NNS naval architects and engineers to attend the Oak

Ridge School of Reactor Technology in 1956 and worked in

the Atomic Power Division. In 1961 Mr. Urick returned to

The Apprentice School as an academic instructor and later

rose to Assistant Supervisor, then manager of Apprentice

Training in 1970. He held the position of administrator,

Records and Research, when he retired on April 16, 1988 due

to illness. Tragically, he died at age 64 just a month later. The apprentices dedicated their

1988 Builder to him saying, "His contribution to the School, the Company, and to the many

individuals he touched and in whose lives he made a difference, can never be fully

measured." Mr. Urick also enjoyed teaching a speed reading course in the Night School.

7/1/1919 Homer L. Ferguson, then General Manager of the

Shipyard, issued Executive Order No. 24, titled

Rules for Apprentices, effectively establishing the

Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School.

Some background: On a fall night in 1918,

apprentices organized and elected a committee to

study their grievances and formulate plans for

improving their instruction system and make a

concentrated effort to receive a decent, living

wage for their financial support. J. F. Carvil was

elected president. After much study, a committee

of the newly formed Apprentice Association had a

meeting with Homer L. Ferguson, then General

Manager of the Shipyard, and proposed the

establishment of a school for apprentices, based

loosely on the program conducted by the Norfolk

Naval Shipyard. The Company would operate the

school on its grounds, and during work hours.

After some delay, Mr. Ferguson agreed, and issued Executive Order No. 24 on July 1,

1919. This date is considered the formal establishment of The Apprentice School.

7/4/1943 The program moved into a new, modern

educational building, which was built during

World War II. A three-story brick building, with

an auditorium, drawing room, classrooms,

conference room, library, and administrative

offices, the Education Building was located inside

the 37th Street Gate, and completed the "school

campus" which included the Apprentice Athletic

Building (built in 1934), the adjoining football

field and track, complete with bleachers, and the

Apprentice Dormitory (built in 1941). Completely

renovated in the late 1970's, the Education Building served as the home of The Apprentice

School for 70 years until replaced by the new Apprentice School Building on Washington

Avenue in 2013. .



Date Event

6/23/1951 The SS United States was launched on June

23, 1951 and delivered by NNS to the

United States Lines in 1952. She was an

"engineering marvel" and a favorite of

Newport News Shipbuilders, with a record

38.32 knots trial speed and setting

transatlantic speed records. To overcome a

potential problem with her smokestacks spewing smoke, an apprentice graduate named

Howard E. Lee, Jr. (Piping Designer, Class of 1947) developed a wind tunnel model of the

SS United States and came up with a solution that of adding horizontal fins to the stack

tops. And, it worked! The SS United States was in service on the North Atlantic until

1969.

6/24/1960 Jerry R. Ramey (Shipfitter, Class of 1960) completed his

apprenticeship on June 24, 1960. Jerry served as president of the

Apprentice Alumni Association in 1976 and 1977, and was honored

with the designation as President Emeritus, 2010-2014. His career

with The Apprentice School included Apprentice Craft Instructor

and Lead Craft Instructor for the Hull Trades. The role of Lead

Craft Instructor is an essential piece of the craft training program.

Lead Craft Instructors not only supervise and train Apprentice Craft

Instructors, but also coordinate the rotation of apprentices and

maintain a critical liaison relationship with the Trade Directors and

Program Directors.

6/27/2012 Members of the Apprentice Jaycees Student Chapter

(AJSC) attended the United States Jaycees Chapter

Annual Meeting in Des Moines, Iowa, from June 27-30,

2012. Earlier in the summer, the AJSC received the Best

Project Award from the Virginia Jaycees for their work

with the Achievable Dream's Egg Drop Competition.



Date Event

6/16/2018 The Apprentice School Chapter of the National Society of Leadership

and Success was officially recognized on June 16, 2018. Over 650

colleges and one million students participate in this leadership

honor society. Supported by the Apprentice School Student

Association, the faculty advisor is Academic Instructor Pat Krystyn

(Marine Designer, Class of 2002).

6/18/2014 Apprentices Michael Fahy (Electrician), and

Modeling & Simlation Analyst apprentices Josh

Dean, Chris Herman, and Brad Joslin, traveled to

Indianapolis, Indiana to compete in the American

Society for Engineering Education's Model

Design Competition in robotics.

1966 Science instructor Herman L. Stephenson was born in Newport News

in 1938. He graduated from Huntington High School in 1957 and

attended Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, where he received his

BA in Mathematics. Stephenson taught in the Hampton City Schools

from 1962 to 1965. He taught at The Apprentice School from 1966 to

1968 and was the first African-American Academic Instructor at the

school.

1948 The Apprentice School's 25th Anniversary occurred in 1944 but

wartime work left little time to celebrate. But in 1948 a handsome

illustrated history of the School was published. It featured a

beautiful cover in color, painted by Thomas C. Skinner. Inside

were photos of the School's founders, buildings, and administrative

managers. Classroom, dormitory, shop, leisure activities and sports

scenes were included. The book, titled The Apprentice School of

the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, became a

keepsake.



Date Event

6/11/2006 The replica of the USS Monitor was christened

at the Mariners' Museum in Newport News.

Apprentices, under the leadership of Lead

Apprentice Craft Instructors Larry Koeck

(Mold Loftsman, Class of 1983), Al Melton

(Outside Machinist, Class of 1984), Vince

Warren (Pipefitter, Class of 1987), and Ed Dise

(Outside Machinist, Class of 1970) volunteered

their time and skills to support the construction

of preservation tanks to hold numerous

artifacts recovered from the ocean floor and to

build a full-size replica of the Monitor, using steel donated by the US Navy. Mrs. Nancy

Petters christened the replica and her husband, NNS President Mike Petters delivered the

address to an audience of several hundred. He noted, "We are a company dedicated to

learning. And we pass this knowledge from one ship to another - from one generation to

the next. Our Apprentice School provides for that path at Newport News.

6/12/2017 The Apprentice School introduced its latest advanced program,

Supply Chain Management. Apprentices spend time in

procurement groups where they are tasked with developing and

managing purchase orders as well as building relationships with

suppliers for both Navy contract work and purchasing for

various areas in the company (Operations, Facilities and

Maintenance, Construction, Manufacturing, etc.) Beginning in

1995 with the re-establishment of the Marine Designer program, the

School has added ten advanced programs to meet growing needs and technological

advances at Newport News Shipbuilding, all at the request of sponsoring divisions and

executive leadership. The other eight programs include: Advanced Shipyard Operations

Curriculum (1998), Production Planner (1998), Modeling and Simulation Program Analyst

(2006), Nuclear Test Technician (2007), Cost Estimator (2008), Dimensional Control

Technician (2011 - converted from four-year salaried program), Frontline FAST (2012),

and Marine Engineer (2014).

6/13/2015 Rick Burgos, Apprentice Craft Instructor for

Advanced Programs, accompanied two teams

from the Apprentice School's Engineering and

Robotics Club to the American Society for

Engineering Education (ASEE) Model Design

Competition in Seattle, Washington. Team

members included Brad Joslin, Josh Dean and

Jacob Wirtes (Modeling & Simulation Program

Analyst apprentices), Tim Mills (Machinist

apprentice), and Evan Throckmorton

(Electrician apprentice). Their teams finished

7th and 8th in a field of 15 competitors from other colleges and universities.

6/13/1933 Niels Christiansen, Superintendent of Machinery,

died suddenly at age 63 while working on board the

SS Republic in New York City. The ship spent time

as an ocean liner and a troop transport. He had a

great interest in The Apprentice School and was a

member of the Education Advisory Committee from

1919.

https://mynns/orgs/O51



Date Event

6/2/2005 The student section of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine

Engineers (SNAME) helps to educate and inspire future

shipbuilders, designers and engineers. Apprentices attend local

section meetings, conduct tours and attend special events. Jennifer

Ryan is the student section's faculty advisor. The section's

premier event is the annual Boat Design Competition for high

school students, which is conducted and supported by the

apprentices.

6/4/1941 The Cotillion Club hosted its first

function, a formal banquet and dance at

the Chamberlin Hotel. The dance was

well attended by members and their

dates, special guests, and shipyard

officials.

6/5/1947 The Apprentice School hosted the

American Apprenticeship Round

Table for the first time in New

York City. G. Guy Via the

Director of The Apprentice

School was a charter member of

AART.

6/5/1989 Anthony Vincent "Tony" Jones (Pipefitter, Class of 1989) completed

his apprenticeship on June 5, 1989. Tony was the first African-

American apprentice graduate to serve as an Apprentice Academic

Instructor. Tony taught mechanical drawing, mathematics, physics,

and ship construction courses. He taught at the School from the

1990's into the 2010's and continued his teaching career at York High

School in Yorktown, Virginia.


at Newport News Shipbuilding May 26, 2019

Date Event

5/27/2019 On this Memorial Day of 2019, we pause to remember the 28 apprentices who died in service to our country during World War II. They were: Lewis McMath Bridgers (Naval Reserve), Henry Washington Carroll (Naval Reserve), Lawrence Henry Chandler, Jr. (Army Air Force), Edwin Harvie Cunningham III (Naval Reserve), Amos Roger Dobson, Jr. (Army), Robert Powell Dudley (Army Air Force), Paris Lester Dulaney (Army), Joseph Clarence Edwards (Army), Henry Maurice Harrington (Naval Air Force), Eugene Carl Hoover, Jr. (Army Air Force), Edward Lee Irby (Army), Phillip Lee Kostyal (Naval Air Force), John Albert Mann (Army Air Force), George Alvin Massenburg, Jr. (Naval Air Force), Morriss Franklin McCaffrey (Navy), Richard Charles Metcalfe (Army), Lester Blake Mitchell (Navy), Jack Gerard Pardy (Army Air Force), Thomas Pope (Army Air Force), Walter Henry Powell (Army Air Force), George Francis Daniel Quintal (Marine Corps), William Parham Robinson (Naval Reserve), Conrad Lee Royston (Marine Corps), Charles Norman Smith (Navy), George Edward Thompson (Army), Harry Hugh Thompson, Jr. (Army Air Force), Gerald Blake Weaver (Army), Gilbert Albert Whitehouse (Naval Air Force). The Skinner mural is a memorial to these fallen apprentices.

5/29/1955 On Memorial Day, May 29, 1955, an article appeared in the Daily Press to mark Memorial Day and to pay tribute to the war dead of The Apprentice School. The Memorial Mural, painted by Thomas C. Skinner for The Apprentice School auditorium, was featured. The left panel of the mural, depicts an apprentice amid his tools, receiving his draft notice. Skinner's model for this figure was William A. "Bud" Cole (Toolmaker, Class of 1948). When Bud Cole visited the School he had an opportunity to view the mural again. Cole retired as Vice President, Sales, for Cincinnati Milling Machine Company, later Cincinnati Milacron Inc.



Date Event

5/20/1972 A new modern recreation center, the Newport News

Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company Activities

Center, was dedicated May 20, 1972. Then-Shipyard

President L. C. "Bud" Ackerman and Director of

Personnel and Industrial Relations D. Boyd Thomas

gave the opening remarks. The new center was

completed in August of 1972 and serves as the

Apprentice Athletic Center. Located on a six-acre

site adjacent to the engineering building on Madison

Avenue, the 22,000 square-foot facility includes

a regulation basketball court, wrestling room,

strength training area, lockers, showers,

equipment storage areas and administrative

offices. A football field and practice fields are

adjacent to the center with outdoor lighting. A

rugged three-ton anchor and propeller of the tug

Huntington greet visitors to the athletic center,

courtesy of the Apprentice Alumni Association.

Alumni association members also helped with

the construction of bleachers and press box and a row of hedges that encircle the field.

5/21/2003 Keisha Joseph Pexton completed her apprenticeship as a Production

Planner (Class of 2003). Her basketball career with the Lady

Builders included roles as a player and an assistant coach. Following

graduation, she worked as an Electrical Production Planner on CVN

77. In 2005, she became an Apprentice Craft Instructor in the

Production Planner program and worked with student-athletes. She

was named Athletic Director in 2010, and responsibility for Strategic

Projects was added in 2013. Later, she served as Manager of

Admissions and Business Services after Danny Brookman retired.

Her continuing education led to a doctorate in Strategic Leadership

from Regent University. In 2018, she left the School for a promotional opportunity as

Director of Learning and Development Innovation, becoming the second female graduate to

rise to this level at Newport News Shipbuilding.

5/22/2017 Michael W. Allen, Athletic Director at Norfolk Christian High

School, was named the new Director of Athletics for The Apprentice

School in May 2017. A graduate of Chowan College, Mike had

coached men's basketball at the college level for six years, and at

Norfolk Christian for 12 years. During his 15-year tenure as athletic

director, Norfolk Christian sports teams won 35 regional

championships and seven state championships.

5/23/1927 Henry Edwards Huntington, Chairman of the Board of Directors of

Newport News Shipbuilding, and nephew of Collis P. Huntington,

died on May 23, 1927. He was greatly interested in the apprentices

and their training in the Shipyard.

https://mysite/Person.aspx?accountname=NNSCORP/KLJ03



Date Event

5/14/1988 The Builder is publish for the class of 1987. The first attempt at a

year book since discontinuing the Binnacle in 1976.

5/15/1990 An article on The Apprentice School appeared in The Sun, a weekly publication for the

cities of Suffolk and Franklin, on May 15, 1990. The article featured profiles of three

apprentices: Christian Walter (Welder, Class of 1990), Cassandra Burks (Rigger, Class of

1992), and Denise Elkins (Outside Machinist, Class of 1991).

5/16/1947 The Broad A announced G. Guy Via's appointment as Director of

Training and Education, a promotional opportunity for him. In

1919 he was the first Supervisor for The Apprentice School.

5/16/2015 The Apprentice School Baseball Team won

their second national championship, defeating

Illinois Tech 10-1 to take the United States

Collegiate Athletic Association tournament

championship and the national title.



Date Event

.

5/5/1986 Kenneth Irvin "Kenny" Wright (Mold Loft Worker,

Class of 1986) completed his apprenticeship. Wright

continued his education at Old Dominion University and

started his own engineering services company in

Portsmouth, VA, where he later served as Mayor of

Portsmouth for six years from 2010 to 2016. Though a

controversial political figure, he led Portsmouth's multi-

million dollar development in mid-city, new apartments

in the downtown area, and restoration of Cavalier Manor

ball fields. .

5/7/1997 Charles Dale "Charlie" Houdashell, Sr. (Heavy Metal Fabricator, Class of 1975) died

unexpectedly on May 7, 1997 while on Company business in Denmark. At the time, he

was superintendent of the Fabrication Shop. Charlie, who began his career at Newport New

Shipbuilding in August, 1969, was also a graduate of Christopher Newport University and

his family established the Charles D. Houdashell, Sr. Memorial Scholarship in his memory.

The scholarship is awarded annually to an Apprentice School graduate continuing his or her

education at Christopher Newport University.

5/8/1927 According to the first issue of the Shipyard Bulletin,

dated May 8, 1927, the Apprentice Band was first

organized in 1924 with the help of Niels Christiansen,

Superintendent of the Machine Shop and original

member of the School's Educational Advisory

Committee. The band had 25 members who practiced

on Monday and Thursday afternoons. Though

dissolved in the early thirties, the Apprentice Band

was reorganized in October 1934 with 12 members.

By 1940, the band had expanded to 40 pieces, with a

formal organization and military-style uniforms, provided with the assistance of the

Apprentice Alumni Association. The band had dissolved with the advent of World War II,

but was reformed in 1958, with 36 musicians under the direction of Donald W. Gilmer,

performing at football and basketball games, as well as other social functions.

5/9/2011 Twenty-four apprentices, who were enrolled in the

Advanced Shipbuilding Operations Curriculum, began

the week-long Leadership Experience at the College

of William & Mary. The program included

presentations, activities, and exercises led by W&M

business and history professors, head football coach

Jimmye Laycock, and NNS executives, including

Mike Petters, NNS President, and Danny Hunley,

Vice President, Operations.


at Newport News Shipbuilding April 28, 2019

Date Event

4/30/1985 Emmett E. Heath, Jr. (Machinist, Class of 1938) retired after 50 years

of service to Newport News Shipbuilding and The Apprentice School.

He was an apprentice craft instructor, apprentice academic instructor

and supervisor of athletics during his long career. A gifted athlete, he

played on the School's basketball team that journeyed to Colorado to

compete for the AAU national championship in 1937.

5/1/1988 Another first in the School's history occurred with the appointment of

the first woman as an apprentice craft instructor. Paula R. Mombaerts

(Shipfitter, Class of 1983) joined the faculty in May 1988. She was a

native of Prince William, Virginia.

5/2/1929 Job Order 746Y was issued for conversion of Building 63, formerly

the Shipyard mule’s stable, for use as an education building for The

Apprentice School.

5/3/1976 Debbie Ann Eriksen (Atomic Designer, Class of 1976) became the

first woman to complete an apprenticeship. She earned Charles F.

Bailey, Gold Athletic and Gold Journalism Awards, and was president

of the Apprentice School Student Association.

5/3/2012 The Apprentice School held its groundbreaking

ceremony for its new building, located at 3101

Washington Avenue. Members of the Apprentice

School Student Association (ASSA) participated

in the ceremony. Ashley Gilliam (Marine

Designer) led the Pledge of Allegiance. Kevin

Doyle (Production Planner), President of the

ASSA, had the honor of ringing the Apprentice

School bell. Chris Kelce (Heating and Air

Conditioning Craft Instructor) sang the national anthem. Dignataries included: Mike

Petters, President and CEO of Huntington Ingalls Industries; Matt Mulherin (President,

Newport News Shipbuilding); Danny Hunley (Vice President, Operations, Newport News

Shipbuilding); Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell; U.S. Representatives Bobby Scott, Rob

Whitman, and Scott Rigell; Newport News Mayor McKinley Price; and, Lou Haddad

(President and CEO, Armada Hoffler Holding Co.). The new Apprentice School was the

result of a public-private partnership among the City of Newport News, the Commonwealth

of Virginia, Armada Hoffler Holding Co., and Huntington Ingalls Industries.



Date Event

.4/23/2014 Danny W. Hunley, Vice President, Operations,

Newport News Shipbuilding, and John R.

Broderick, President of Old Dominion University,

signed a memorandum of understanding that

formalized the Professional Development

Program, a five- to eight-year Marine Engineer

apprenticeship, culminating in a bachelor's degree

in mechanical or electrical engineering from

ODU. Apprentice School staff members Dave

Tilman, Todd Estes, Jim Hughes and Vince

Warren were instrumental in the development of

this program, with support and encouragement from company executives Everett Jordan,

Danny Hunley, Charles Southall, Jennifer Boykin, Matt Mulherin and Mike Petter.

4/24/2003 William A. "Bill" Lee (Atomic Designer, Class of

1959) compiled his classic that documented "the

genealogy and early physical growth" of The

Apprentice School. Since then, Bill has written

over 170 historical "sea stories" about the

Shipyard, The Apprentice School and its people

and history, as well as many other interesting

maritime subjects. All of these are posted on the

Apprentice Alumni Association's website. During

his apprenticeship, Bill was editor-in-chief of The

Broad A for two years and won the School's Gold Journalism Award and the Niels

Christiansen Craftsmanship Award in 1959. Later he was awarded a Shipyard scholarship

and attended North Carolina State University. In 1958, he and Talmadge N. "Tal" Hardy

(Hull Designer, Class of 1959) created the student handbook, The Guideline. During his

career, Bill Lee was a designer, test engineer, and engineering manager, and was known as

the "A4W Mock-up King" for his leadership of the Design Team of the mock-up for the

Nimitz-class carriers.

4/1928 By April 1928, training by "intention" was firmly established, replacing the "hit-or-miss"

absorption method for craft instruction. In 1927, general supervision of shop instruction

was made a responsibility of the Apprentice School, facilitating coordination of shop

training and classroom instruction. A faculty of craftsmen from the yard were appointed as

shop instructors in 1928 and placed on the Apprentice School payroll. Their duties were to

supervise apprentices during their shop instruction. This development significantly reduced

the existing conflict between production and instruction, and was the beginning of the role

of apprentice craft instructors in the apprenticeship program, a significant feature that

distinguishes The Apprentice School from many other apprenticeship programs in the U.S.



Date Event

.4/15/1985 In April 1985 an enthusiastic group of

Apprentice School alumni, parents and friends

formed the Apprentice Athletic Club to promote

and support the intercollegiate athletic programs

of the School. Horace Underwood, Athletic

Director, Steve Mitchell, apprentice graduate

(Sheet Metal Worker, Class of 1978), former

Builder basketball player, and academic

instructor, and Dr. Jim Hughes, Manager,

worked with a number of apprentice alumni to

form the organization. Under the current

leadership of Sarah Gentry (Shipfitter, Class of

2011), the Club sponsors the F. Farrell Sanders Memorial Golf Tournament as its major

fundraiser. Farrell Sanders (Electrician, Class of 1955) served as vice president, Submarine

Construction, during his career.

4/15/2005 C. Michael Petters, President, Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding,

parent corporation of Newport News Shipbuilding, was inducted

into the Apprentice Alumni Association as an Honorary

Alumnus. Mike Petters served as Vice President, Human

Resources, for Newport News Shipbuilding, before moving up to

his position as President of the Company. In this capacity, he had

The Apprentice School under his office's responsibility. During

this time and into his presidency of Huntington Ingalls Industries,

he encouraged and supported the intensive expansion of

leadership development programs and advanced academics,

giving apprentices the opportunities to earn associate degrees and

baccalaureate degrees integral with their apprenticeships.

4/1981 In 1981 Marilyn N. Jones became the first female Apprentice

Academic Instructor at the School. She taught mathematics and

communications through 1991. She had taught eight years in

public school before coming to The Apprentice School. In an

April 2012 article in Yardlines, she said that she loved teaching at

the School before being 'kidnapped' by the Seawolf project in

1992. She later moved to Production Engineering, Central

Planning, and Career and Professional Development. Jones

retired sometime after 2012.



Date Event

.

4/7/1982 In 1982 the School received full accreditation of its programs, the

first industrial school in the nation to achieve such recognition.

This accomplishment was highlighted with an article (Apprentice

School Earns an A) in the TENNECO magazine published in the

spring of 1983. In pursuing accreditation by the Southern

Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on

Occupational Education Institutions (SACS, COEI), the School

sought an objective review of its programs by an unbiased,

professional reviewing agency. The results of the review

affirmed the long tradition of Apprentice School quality. Subsequent reaccreditation was

conferred in 1987 and 1992. In 1995, COEI separated from SACS to become the Council

on Occupational Education (COE), and the Apprentice School has continued to receive

reaccreditation on six-year reviews in 1998, 2004, 2010, and 2016. Dr. Gary Carter,

Academic Program Manager, coordinated the last self-study report and team visit by COE.

4/9/1992 The Track Team was discontinued.

4/10/1977 The first sport for women was softball, which competed in the city recreation league.

4/13/1971 The Apprentice Athletic Facility on Washington

Avenue along with the stadium was demolished to

make way for Building 2. Pieces of the old

gymnasium floor were made into souvenirs.


at Newport News Shipbuilding March 31, 2019

Date Event

3/31/1989 For the March 31, 1989 Apprentice Alumni Association Banquet,

the guest speaker was NASA Astronaut, CDR Michael J.

McCulley, USN.

4/1/1942 On April 1, 1942, the Newport News Shipbuilding apprenticeship programs were initially

registered with the Virginia Apprenticeship Council. The Council's first chair was Homer

L. Ferguson, President, Newport News Shipbuilding. In the 1990's, Dr. Jim Hughes,

Manager (Academics and Admissions), The Apprentice School, was appointed by Virginia

Governor George Allen, to chair the Council (1994-1998).

4/4/2014 Apprentice academic instructor Mark Costa joined The

Apprentice School in January 2004, teaching mathematics, ship

construction, and business operations and leadership. Colonel

Costa had a 30-year distinguished military career in the United

States Marine Corps, served as Commander Officer and Professor

of Naval Science, Naval ROTC, Norwich University. He was

highly regarded by apprentices for his excellent instruction,

engaging classroom activities, sincere concern for their success,

and his ability to relate concepts and theories taught in the

classroom to deck plate applications on the waterfront. Dr. Costa

received the Frank F. Satchell, Jr. Outstanding Faculty Award at graduation ceremonies for

the Class of 2011. Dr. Costa retired on April 4, 2014.

4/6/2018 Dr. Latitia D. McCane was been named director of education for

The Apprentice School at Newport News Shipbuilding. Since

2007, McCane held several leadership positions at Bishop State

Community College, a two-year public institution with an

enrollment of 3,400 students in Mobile, Alabama. She most

recently served as dean of instructional services. She also holds

graduate and undergraduate degrees in organic chemistry and

chemistry from the University of Alabama, Texas Southern

University and Alabama State University. She became the ninth

head of The Apprentice School, first female, and first African-

American.



Date Event

3/25/1994 Dana G. Mead, President and CEO, Tenneco, Inc., was the speaker

for the Alumni Association Banquet, which honored graduates

from the Class of 1944. His remarks were entitled, "Our Margin

of Excellence." Also on this occasion, the Alumni Association

received a letter of congratulations from Virginia Governor

George Allen.

3/29/1985 James E. "Jim" Wallace, Director of Education and Training,

Newport News Shipbuilding, was inducted into the Apprentice

Alumni Association as an Honorary Alumnus. Jim was head of the

School from 1976 to 2003. He placed special emphasis on

improvements to the athletic programs, which gained special

recognition from the NCAA in 1986 and drew national attention

with former NFL player Norm Snead as head football coach.

During his term as the School's sixth director, the School and its

programs underwent many positive changes. In August 1980

Wallace responded to the "Apprentice School Evaluation" report

from Financial Controls. His proposed objectives and action plans

were approved by NNS President Ed Campbell, setting the School's direction for the future.

In the 1980's, flattering articles about the School appeared in The Wall Street Journal and in

Engineering Times. Agreements were signed or renewed with Tidewater Community

College, Christopher Newport College, Thomas Nelson Community College, and Old

Dominion University for transfer of courses and credits. In the 1990's, women's basketball

was added to the sports program, the Marine Designer program was re-established,

Advanced Shipyard Operations Curriculum was added, and the Production Planner

apprenticeship was introduced. Wallace retired in 2003, the longest-serving director after

G. Guy Via.

3/30/1990 James H. "Jim" Hughes, Manager, The Apprentice School, was

inducted into the Apprentice Alumni Association as an Honorary

Alumni.



Date Event

3/17/1947 Apprentices reorganized the Glee

Club. The club sang many

popular choral numbers of the day

such as “The Bells of St. Mary’s,”

“Stouthearted Men,” “Ole

Carolina,” and many more. The

Glee Club, as one of the oldest

musical organizations in the

school, offers every Apprentice

the opportunity to learn something

about music, have a good time and

make a contribution to his school.

3/22/1968 Roger Michael Eitelman (Machinery Designer, Class of 1968)

completed his apprenticeship on March 22, 1968. Roger was

an outstanding member of Elroy Kersey's Track and Field

teams in the 1960's. After graduation, he attended the College

of William and Mary, where he also performed on the Track

and Field teams. His graduate education in hospital

administration was at Virginia Commonwealth University

Medical School. He tells the story of paying his way through

graduate school by welding metal stands used for intravenous

fluids throughout the hospital, a skill he learned at The

Apprentice School. Roger served as hospital administrator at

Hampton General Hospital, Sentara Healthcare in Norfolk, and

senior vice president of the Saint Francis Health System in Hawaii. In 2005, he was named

president and chief executive officer of West Virginia University Hospitals - East.

3/23/2001 The Lady Builders routed Huntingdon College

94-62 in the title game of the National Small

College Athletic Association tournament on

March 23, 2001 to capture their first national

championship. Head Coach was Karen

Barefoot. The women's team won their second,

and consecutive, national championship on

March 9, 2002 under new Head Coach Judy

Overbey, who moved up from an assistant's

position. The women defeated Mount Aloysius

College, 61-55, in the United States Collegiate

Athletic Association tournament.



Date Event

.

3/10/1972 D. Boyd Thomas, Director of Education and Training, was inducted

into the Apprentice Alumni Association as Honorary Alumni. Mr.

Thomas was a graduate of North Carolina State University and was

an academic instructor in mathematics prior to becoming the third

director of the school.

3/14/1941 Ground-breaking ceremonies were held for a grand, colonial style, three-story dormitory at

West Avenue and 35th Street. Originally designed to house 275 men with 110 bedroom,

the building was soon filled to

capacity; some apprentices even

found their beds in the basement.

The building also housed a

cafeteria, and a lounge and game

room. Alumni fondly remember

the college-like atmosphere

provided by the dormitory, where

much fun and serious study took

place. The dormitory closed in

1966.

3/14/1953 Homer L. Ferguson died at his home in Warwick. He was 80 years old.

3/15/1956 Thomas C. Mann (Machinist, Class of 1960) was the first African-

American admitted to The Apprentice School. He was the first to be

accepted (along with Ronald H. Brickhouse and Donald E. Harris)

and the first to graduate.



Date Event

.

3/3/2016 The Apprentice Alumni Association inducted Matthew J. "Matt"

Mulherin, NNS President, into the Association as an Honorary

Alumnus. Matt was president of the Company when the new

Apprentice School building was constructed and the School's

Professional Development Program, a partnership program with Old

Dominion University to develop marine engineers, was introduced.

3/4/1938 The first issue of The Broad A was published. The first

edition, a four-sheet mimeographed version, was put out

with Clinton F. Hodder, Jr. (Painter-Decorator, Class of

1938) as editor-in-chief. Publishing the Broad A

continued off and on until the 1980’s.

3/5/1983 Edward J. Campbell, President and Chief Executive Officer, Newport

News Shipbuilding TENNECO, was inducted into the Apprentice

Alumni Association as an Honorary Alumnus. Upon his arrival to

NNS, Ed Campbell requested a study of the School to determine if the

benefits justified the costs. The results of the study confirmed the

value of the School to the Company, and he became a strong

supporter. .

3/6/1873 Homer L. Ferguson was born in Haywood County, North Carolina.

He graduated from the US Naval Academy and became General

Manager of Newport News from 1915 until 1946. Mr. Ferguson

signed the executive order that created The Apprentice School.


at Newport News Shipbuilding February 24, 2019

Date Event

.

2/24/1958 The 1957 edition of The Binnacle was dedicated to Mrs. Edel M.

Pullen, hostess and receptionist at the Apprentice Athletic Building.

She was the first woman so honored. In 1973 she was made an

Honorary Alumna.

2/24/2018 Jennifer Boykin, President, Newport News Shipbuilding delivered the

commencement address to the Class of 2017. Boykin is the first

female president of Newport News Shipbuilding and the second

woman to deliver a commencement address to a graduating class of

The Apprentice School. .

2/28/2015 The Apprentice School recognized Sara Ruggles, Dimensional

Control Technician, as its 10,000th graduate.

3/1/2014 Danny W. Hunley, Vice President, Operations, Newport News

Shipbuilding, “Class of 1977” was the principal speaker at the

graduation ceremony for the Class of 2013. A number of other

Apprentice School graduates who were vice presidents have delivered

commencement addresses during the School's history, including:

Lemuel C. Robertson (1963), W. R. "Pat" Phillips, Jr. (1977, 1983),

Richard A. "Dick" Broad (1979), John E. Graham (1988), F. Farrell

Sanders (1991), Robert R. "Bob" Hardison (1992, 2005), and Robert

C. "Bobby" Hoard (1996).



Date Event

.

2/17/1934 A retirement dinner for Charles Franklin Bailey was held on February

17, 1934 at the James River Country Club in Newport News. Bailey

was Director of Engineering and an original member of the School's

Educational Advisory Committee when established in 1919. At

graduation an award in honor of Mr. Bailey is given to the

apprentices with the highest average in required courses.

2/20/2016 The Honorable Tim Kaine, United States Senate, Commonwealth of

Virginia, delivered the commencement address to the Class of 2015.

Senator Kaine, a supporter of workforce development and

apprenticeship, had toured the school on August 27, 2014. This class

included Shanae Hilliard, the first female and 113th Molder

Apprentice to complete this apprenticeship serving Foundry

Operations. Shanae also excelled as a player on the Women's

Basketball team during her apprenticeship.

2/22/1991 Glenn D. Heath, Apprentice School Academic Instructor in Drafting

and legendary Golf Coach, was inducted into the Apprentice Alumni

Association as an Honorary Alumnus. The annual Glenn Heath

Shipbuilders Memorial Golf Tournament for NCAA Division III-level

colleges and hosted by The Apprentice School is played in his

memory.

2/23/1937 The 1936-37 basketball team took the championship

trophy in the State A. A. U. (Amateur Athletic Union)

tournament and went on to the National A. A. U.

tournament in Denver, Colorado, where they lost to

Oklahoma City Teachers College.



Date Event

.

2/10/1994 On February 10, 1994, the General Assembly,

Commonwealth of Virginia, passed Joint Resolution No.

325, commending The Apprentice School on its 75th

Anniversary. Similar proclamations were issued that year

by the Office of The Governor, Commonwealth of

Virginia (Honorable George Allen), and the City of

Newport News, Virginia. And, a letter of congratulations

was sent from The White House and signed by President

Bill Clinton.

2/14/1994 The Alumni Association Banquet honoring graduates of the Class of

1936 was held in Williamsburg at the Colonial Williamsburg Lodge.

Edward J. Campbell, President and CEO, was the principal speaker

during this 100th Anniversary Year of Newport News Shipbuilding.

2/16/1948 Russell Arnold Cook (Machinist, Class of 1948) served 43 years

with Newport News Shipbuilding, retiring in 1986 as

Administrator, Craft Training, The Apprentice School. He was a

member of the Progressive Club and the Society of Manufacturing

Engineers.



Date Event

.

2/5/2010 Everett Jordan “Class of 1977” became the eighth Director of the

Apprentice School and the second graduate to lead the school.

2/9/1943 The official seal of The Apprentice School was created by

Richard B. “Dick” Poythress “Class of 1937.” It has endured

unchanged to this day.

2/9/2008 The Honorable Donald C. Winter, Secretary of the Navy,

delivered the commencement address to the Class of 2007. Dr.

Winter served as secretary from January 2006 through March

2009.


at Newport News Shipbuilding January 27, 2019

Date Event

.

1/29/1988 The Class of 1987 was the first

graduating class to wear caps and gowns

for the graduation ceremony, a practice

which has continued to this day.

1/30/1987 The class of 1986 had 255 graduates the largest class in the history of the school.

1/31/1972 Kathleen Agnes Thomason was the first female to begin in The Apprentice School.

2/1/1976 Dr. James E. Wallace became the Director of Training and

Development and the sixth to lead the school.



Date Event

.

1/23/1913 Niels Christiansen was appointed Superintendent of

Machinery, Newport News Shipbuilding. In 1942 the

Craftsmanship Award was named after him and given to the

graduate from each craft area with the highest average shop

grade.

1/23/1998 John M. Burke, Vice President, Mobil Shipping and

Transportation, was the commencement speaker for the Class

of 1997. Jay Burke was an Apprentice School graduate “Class

of 1960” and Academic Instructor during his working years at

NNS. His company purchased one of the Double Eagle tankers

built in the 1990's.

1/24/1963 Fairmount R. "Monk" White, Director of Education and

Training, were inducted into the Apprentice Alumni

Association as Honorary Alumni. White was undoubtedly one

of the best-loved coaches, teachers, and administrators in

School history. Known for his humor and witticism, and his

ability to give "advice that stuck" with apprentices.



Date Event

.

1/14/1938 The first graduation exercise was

held in the Athletic building.

Homer L. Ferguson was the

commencement Speaker.

1/17/1964 Admiral Arleigh Burke (retired) gave the commencement

address for the class of 1963. The Arleigh Burke class

Guided Missile Destroyers were named after him.

1/19/1955 Alvin Duke Chandler, President of the College of William and

Mary, gave to the commencement speech for the class of 1954.

As a retired Vice-Admiral Mr. Chandler had a connection with

the products built by the Apprentices of NNS.



Date Event

1/7/1985 Dr. James H. Hughes was hired as the Manager of Curriculum and

Instruction. During his tenure both the Advanced Associate degree

programs and the PDP Bachelor in Engineering programs were

established in partnership with TNCC, TCC, and ODU.

Dr. Hughes retired in 2015.

1/8/1981 Six Apprentice graduates began preparations to become STE’s

without having first obtained their engineering degree. They

underwent a rigorous training program at the Apprentice School to

ensure they could pass STE School. All six did pass, paving the

way for many more Apprentice graduates without engineering

degrees to become STE’s.

1/10/1948 The Apprentice Alumni Association gave the first Homer L.

Ferguson Award to Maynard L. Wood, Jr. for being the graduate with

the highest combined academic and craft grades. He retired 1985 as

a Senior Design Supervisor in the Plant Engineering Department.

1/11/1956 William W. Hunter, Jr., an Electrical Designer Apprentice, won the

first G. Guy Via Award for highest scholastic achievement in the

advanced program. The award was named after the first director of

the school who had passed in 1952.

E84



Date Event

1/1/1992 W.R. “Pat” Phillips, Jr. “Class of 1954” was

named President and CEO of NNS (1992-1996).

Pat was the first and only Apprentice Graduate to

date to rise to the level of President.

1/2/1934 The Apprentice Athletic Building was opened on

Washington Ave. The company paid for the

materials and for the building to be roughed in, but

Apprentices completed the interior on their own

time. It was closed in 1971 to make way for

Building 2.

1/3/1942 The 1941 Binnacle “The Apprentice School Yearbook”

was published. This first Binnacle was dedicated to

Charles F. Bailey who retired in 1934, but was known as

“The Godfather of the Apprentices.”

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