August Grad Makes History

Rucker recently completed his final sea term.

Between working in his family restaurant in Ponchatoula, Louisiana, to navigating in a ship’s bridge, Jonathan Rucker ‘25 has learned how to adjust his sails.

Rucker, who graduates this week with his master of maritime business administration and logistics, is no stranger to selfless service, using his time at Texas A&M University at Galveston to pave the way for future graduate students nationwide to receive the Student Incentive Payment through the Strategic Sealift Midshipman Program.

Before enrolling at Texas A&M University at Galveston, Rucker graduated from Louisiana State University in 2017 and spent the next several years immersed in the restaurant business alongside his family in his hometown of Ponchatoula. He valued the hands-on experience and enjoyed the business and logistics parts of his role, which encouraged him to pursue his master’s degree.

When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the restaurant industry and cast uncertainty over his family’s business, one of Rucker’s friends tried to convince him to join the maritime industry with a career that offered financial promise and the stability he sought.

“We didn’t know what COVID was going to do for the restaurant business in the long run,” Rucker said. “He was telling me that I needed to look into doing something else. Eventually, I met a few people in the maritime industry, and I found out that I could go back to school for my third mate’s license. I did a ton of research because I had no idea what all it entailed.”

Rucker continued, “But I took a leap of faith, and we moved here in 2022.”

The SIP program supports cadets pursuing certain civilian U.S. Coast Guard licenses and a commission in the U.S. Navy Reserve’s Strategic Sealift Officer Force, and previously was only available to undergraduate students.

As the first master’s student in the country to receive the Student Incentive Payment (SIP), Rucker successfully lobbied both the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) and the U.S. Navy to expand the program to graduate students. The SIP program is a federally funded initiative through MARAD, providing financial assistance to cadets enrolled in the Strategic Sealift Midshipman Program, established by the Department of the Navy, which helps to ensure officers are trained in maritime operations, logistics and sealift readiness to support these critical missions.

“I did everything I could to persuade them that this would be a great opportunity to open more doors for unconventional students like me who bring a different dynamic to the program,” said Rucker.

Rucker said it took some time for him to get his “sea legs” in the civilian Coast Guard license program, but when he decided to commit fully, he thrived. With everything from O-week to the bridge simulator to navigating the challenges of fatherhood, Rucker said the program tested his resolve and deepened his sense of humility.

When referencing one of his favorite classes, Bridge Resource Management, Rucker mentioned that he enjoyed being part of a team again after his experience playing football from childhood through college.

“I’m a big ‘team’ guy,” Rucker said. “I grew up on teams, and I understood that everybody has a role. Although a bridge team – both in the class and on a ship – is a little different than a football team, it’s the same skills of managing resources to run as efficiently as possible to meet your goal.”

Rucker smiled and said, “The ship handling experience in the simulator was great, too.”

“When I came to Texas A&M, I was pressing ‘reset’ on my life,” he said. “It was through help from Mr. Ken Bailey and Ms. Daisy McCloud, from Lt. Commander Claude Davidson – people like that helped me begin to right my ship.”

Rucker is particularly appreciative of the support he had on campus, and others in the campus community quickly noticed Rucker’s dedication.

“Jonathan visited the Career Services office a few days before his classes even started,” said Ken Bailey, director of career and ability services at the Galveston campus. “Immediately, I had the sense his future was bright. His bright smile, positive character and dedication to his chosen field in the maritime industry lit up the room.”

Bailey continued, “As a former SEC Division I athlete, Jonathan turned his disciplined focus toward his future profession, volunteering and growing his professional network at every opportunity, while providing leadership and mentorship to younger students. Amazingly, he still finds time to be an outstanding father, role model and successful student. I cannot wait to see where this man is in his life five years from now. One thing is for sure: he will make Texas A&M University at Galveston proud!”

Now, Rucker has his sights set on the future, excited to move back to Ponchatoula and explore the possibilities ahead.

“There are so many different routes to take,” he said. “I’m trying to weigh my options, but I know whatever the next chapter brings for my family and me, it will be great.”