U.S. Navy commander Tiger Pitman
to talk about naval opportunities

U.S. Navy commander to speak about opportunities Nov. 18

 

ANGOLA — A U.S. Navy commander will speak at Trine University Thursday, Nov. 18, at 4 p.m. in the University Center’s Fabiani Theatre.

Commander Tiger Pitman will talk about the Navy’s nuclear fleet and general naval operations. He also will share information about educational and professional opportunities within the Navy’s Nuclear Underwater Propulsion Officer Candidate (NUPOC) program.

Trine got on board with NUPOC in November 2009, and students already are starting to see the benefits of the program, said campus liaison officer Dan Matthews. After hosting an informational Navy Day on campus last year, the Navy budgeted $100,000 to host other lunch and learn programs at district universities, all modeled on what Matthews started at Trine.

Matthews said the university is already starting to see positive outcomes from this collaboration with the Navy. Two Trine senior mechanical engineering majors — Tom Laderach and Jordan Buchanan — have been accepted into the NUPOC program. Three more students currently are in the application process for NUPOC.

Pitman will share news of the NUPOC program and encourage others to get involved, Matthews said.

“I’d love to see students — not just from Trine — come and learn about some exciting opportunities,” Matthews said.

Pitman is a native of Torrington, Wyo., and graduated from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1994. He was then commissioned at Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Fla. He then steered his career in a more nuclear direction. He served on the USS Pennsylvania and completed a variety of assignments — from tactical systems officer to reactor controls assistant.

After earning his master’s degree in engineering science, he served on the USS Alabama. During his tour, he completed five strategic deterrent patrols, qualified for submarine command and led the ship to receive the Submarine Squadron 17 Navigation Award for 2003.

He has earned number awards for his naval achievements, including: the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Navy Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal and the Expert Marksman (Pistol) Medal.

For more information about the event, contact Matthews at matthewsd@trine.edu or (260) 665-4247.