The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy announced retired Col. James Helis...

The Credit: HandoutU.S. Merchant Marine Academy announced retired Col. James Helis will start next month as the school's new superintendent, the fourth in three years. A graduate of West Point and Tufts, Helis's 30 years of experience includes working as a department chair at the U.S. Army War College in Pennsylvania. He does not, however, have a nautical background.

Retired Army Col. James Helis will be formally installed as the new superintendent of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point at a ceremony Monday .

Helis, who was named superintendent last month, retired in 2009 after three decades with the Army. He officially began his new post on July 23.

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Retired Army Col. James Helis will be formally installed as the new superintendent of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point at a ceremony Monday .

Helis, who was named superintendent last month, retired in 2009 after three decades with the Army. He officially began his new post on July 23.

Helis, pictured above, previously served as a department chair at the United States Army War College.

The ceremony will be held at the academy’s Wiley Hall Patio, 300 Steamboat Rd. at 4:30 p.m. and will be attended by several officials, including U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood.
 

A trip to the emergency room in a Long Island hospital now averages nearly 4 hours, data shows. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports. Credit: Newsday Staff

'I'm going to try to avoid it' A trip to the emergency room in a Long Island hospital now averages nearly 4 hours, data shows. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.