Ensign Daniel Ruggiero, a Cortland native, graduated from the United States Naval Academy in May. (Photo provided by Gerry Ruggiero).
A Cortland native recently graduated from the United States Naval Academy.
Ensign Daniel Ruggiero, son of Gerry and Jill Ruggiero, graduated on May 26 in Annapolis, Maryland.
Nominated to the Naval Academy by Congressewoman Claudia Tenney, Ruggiero received a bachelor of science degree in aerospace engineering. Ruggiero was a midshipmen graduate with distinction, an individual at the top of its class in Order of Merit, which includes academic and military performance and physical fitness criteria.
“I had a great time. I have a lot of great memories,” Ruggiero said.
Ruggiero, a Class of 2019 graduate from the Cortland Enlarged City School District (CECSD) as the valedictorian, detailed some of his memories with the Naval Academy.
Last summer, Ruggiero had the opportunity to go to Europe for two weeks with his friends and a professor. He traveled to Italy, Switzerland, Germany and Austria – taking the chance to learn more about aerospace engineering while flying around in a Zeppelin, go mountain biking through the Alps and paraglide.
During his senior year, Ruggiero spent the year designing and using a 3D printer to make a flying drone for his capstone project.
“I’m thankful for those four years there,” Ruggiero said, noting the lifelong friends he made along the way.
While at the academy, Ruggiero was on the Navy’s endurance team. He competed in multiple ultra-distance races, including a 55-mile GoRuck in New York City.
Ruggiero was also the top player on the Naval Academy’s chess team. In Dallas, Texas, he won the title of top chess player of all service academies.
During his time at CECSD, Ruggiero was a member of the varsity cross country, basketball and tennis teams. He also participated in various academic activities and held several leadership positions. Ruggiero also represented Cortland for American Legion Boys’ State of New York.
Ruggiero is thankful for his parents and for his time at CECSD, including his teachers in the math and science programs.
“It set a good foundation for me to succeed,” Ruggiero said, noting how it set a strong foundation for him to move through the Naval Academy.
Ruggiero will head to California in mid-July and report to Port Hueneme for initial training as a commissioned officer in the Navy’s Civil Engineering Corps, also known as the Fighting Seabees.
