Cal Poly Maritime Academy awards honorary doctorate to Capt. Kate McCue as final class graduates under old name

Key facts

• Capt. Kate McCue, Class of 2000, received an Honorary Doctor of Science degree on May 2, 2026.
• McCue became the first American woman to command a megaton cruise ship in 2015.
• The Class of 2026 includes about 150 undergraduate and 20 master's candidates.
• Cal Maritime experienced a 31% enrollment decline from 1,100 students in 2016-17 to 750 in 2023-24.
• The merger with Cal Poly took effect in July 2025; future graduates will receive Cal Poly degrees.
• 14 cadets were commissioned as ensigns in the U.S. Navy Reserve during the ceremony.
• Tyler Venator, commander of the Corps of Cadets, will begin work at General Dynamics NASSCO.

A final commencement under the Cal Maritime banner

On May 2, 2026, Cal Poly Maritime Academy held its commencement ceremony at Bodnar Field in Vallejo, California, marking the last time graduates received diplomas bearing the name “Cal Maritime Academy.” The event celebrated the Class of 2026 while acknowledging the end of a nearly century-long institutional identity. Future graduates will receive Cal Poly degrees following the academy’s integration with Cal Poly, which began in July 2025. The merger was driven by a 31% enrollment decline over eight years, from approximately 1,100 students in 2016-17 to just over 750 in 2023-24. The integration will take full effect during the 2026-27 school year. Cal Maritime first opened in 1929, and current Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong told graduates they may feel it is “the end of an era.”

Honorary doctorate awarded to pioneering captain Kate McCue

During the ceremony, the academy awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science degree to Capt. Kate McCue, a 2000 graduate with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. McCue is an internationally recognized maritime leader whose career spans nearly three decades at sea. In 2015, she became the first American woman to command a megaton cruise ship at Celebrity Cruises, a milestone that expanded opportunity and visibility for women in the maritime industry. Today, she serves as the inaugural captain of Four Seasons I, helping launch a new era in luxury yachting. McCue was also named one of Time100 Creators for using social media to bridge the gap between the maritime world and the public, cultivating appreciation for the ocean’s role in commerce, sustainability, and global connection. Throughout her career, she has led crews across the globe, navigated complex maritime environments, and built a reputation for leadership, professionalism, and innovation.

President Armstrong and student leader emphasize continuity and strength

President Armstrong addressed the graduates, saying, “It’s been a nearly century-long tradition of excellence at Cal Maritime. But I hope you see yourself carrying something even more significant — the first alumni to carry this legacy forward as part of Cal Poly Technical State University and Cal Poly Academy.” He noted that Cal Poly has the largest number of STEM graduates and the highest return on investment, second only to Cal Maritime, adding, “A new name cannot diminish the tradition of excellence that has guided this university like a steady compass. If anything, I believe, and I know that we are stronger together.” Carlos Arencibia, President of Associated Students, echoed Armstrong’s sentiments in his own speech. “Our time at Cal Maritime has been nothing but easy, and we all had to go through some kind of adversity,” he said. “Our learning has gone far beyond the classroom. We didn’t just memorize theories and material. We learned to think under pressure and how to solve problems in real time.” He quoted actor Matthew McConaughey: “Life’s easy, it’s not fair, it never was, it isn’t now, and it won’t ever be.”

Cadet commander Tyler Venator exemplifies hands-on education

Tyler Venator, a 22-year-old from Santa Clara, California, rose through the ranks to become commander of the Corps of Cadets, the senior-most cadet on campus in terms of leadership. He described the corps as a “pyramid structure” that is self-governing and self-run. “My job is to manage the day-to-day activities, making sure we’re adhering to standards set by the Coast Guard and the Maritime Administration,” he said. Venator chose Cal Maritime after his father, an alumnus, suggested the engineering program. After seeing the campus and the Training Ship Golden Bear, he knew it was the right fit. He will begin his career in shipbuilding and repair at General Dynamics NASSCO in San Diego, the only full-service shipyard on the West Coast, with plans to move into project management. “You’re a student everywhere else, but you’re a cadet here,” Venator said. “This is a leadership laboratory. So, you’re going to get opportunities and networking events that you would not have elsewhere.”

Military commissions and legacy of service

In a separate ceremony at 9 a.m. on the same day, 14 Cal Poly Maritime Academy cadets were commissioned as ensigns through either the Strategic Sealift Midshipmen Program or Navy ROTC. These cadets will continue their paths as licensed merchant mariners or active-duty officers in the U.S. Navy. The commissioning underscores the academy’s role in preparing leaders for national security and maritime operations. The academy, located on the Cal Poly Solano Campus in Vallejo, is the West Coast’s only degree-granting maritime academy. It prepares students for leadership roles in maritime, engineering, logistics, business, global supply chains, and national security. Through Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing philosophy, students gain real-world experience in classrooms, laboratories, and aboard the Training Ship Golden Bear.

Looking ahead: a new chapter for maritime education

The 2026 commencement ceremony also marks a historic milestone as the final commencement awarding Cal Maritime degrees. Future graduates will receive Cal Poly degrees, reflecting the integration of the two institutions. President Armstrong expressed confidence in the merger, stating, “I can’t imagine two universities better suited for integration. Our shared belief in hands-on experiential learning sets us apart. Our graduates just don’t learn from textbooks. They learn by navigating real challenges, on land, in lands, through work experiences, and on the Golden Bear.” The transition comes as Cal Maritime faces declining enrollment, but leaders emphasize that the core mission of producing ready-to-lead graduates remains unchanged. The academy’s legacy, built over nearly a century, will continue under the Cal Poly name, with the Class of 2026 serving as the bridge between past and future.

The bottom line

• Capt. Kate McCue received an honorary doctorate from Cal Poly Maritime Academy, highlighting her role as a pioneer for women in maritime.
• The Class of 2026 is the last to graduate under the Cal Maritime name; future classes will receive Cal Poly degrees after a merger driven by a 31% enrollment drop.
• Tyler Venator, commander of the Corps of Cadets, will join General Dynamics NASSCO, exemplifying the academy’s hands-on training.
• 14 cadets were commissioned as Navy ensigns, underscoring the academy’s role in national security.
• President Armstrong and student leaders emphasized that the merger strengthens the institution’s tradition of experiential learning.
• The academy’s Learn by Doing philosophy remains central, with graduates prepared for leadership in maritime, engineering, and logistics.