Meet Members of the Class of 2025

Class of 2025
Kimber and Patrick Nelon 
MAJOR: MARITIME TECHNOLOGY

Kimber and Patrick Nelon aren’t your typical college graduates. After decades of military service and professional life, the married couple returned to school together—and graduated from Kingsborough Community College’s maritime technology program last August with honors.

Patrick, who spent 31 years in the U.S. Army, and Kimber, a semi-retired speech pathologist, decided to enroll at Kingsborough after choosing to settle in New York. “Honestly, for us it was and always has been location, location, location,” said Patrick , a military brat who spent his formative years in North Carolina. “We have friends in New York and always loved the idea of living here.”

Their interest in Kingsborough was sparked by a YouTube video about the Maritime Technology program. “It looked really cool, so here we are,” said Kimber, who was raised in Daytona Beach, Florida. The couple had grown up around boats and took up sailing while stationed in Panama in the 1990s.

Kimber was the first in her extended family to attend college. “My parents were supportive emotionally, but they couldn’t offer much guidance,” she said. “I failed an accounting class because I didn’t know you could drop courses or order books that weren’t on the shelves.”

The couple met in the Army, straight out of basic training, in Monterey, California, where they were both studying Russian at the Defense Language Institute. “We met in March, became an ‘item’ in April, and were married in September,” Patrick said. “I had to ask her three times before she said yes.” This year marks their 33rd wedding anniversary.

The two recently reached another significant milestone: They’ve both earned their captain’s licenses. “That’s for sure our biggest accomplishment. We could not have done it without the sea days we earned through the maritime program,” noted Kimber.

Patrick credits a ceramics class during his final semester with changing the course of his studies. “I got totally hooked,” he said. Inspired, after graduating in August 2024, he returned to pursue a fine arts degree and encouraged Kimber to join him. “Patrick made me,” she said, laughing. “He knew I’d like it. I wasn’t so sure—I never thought of myself as an artistic person.”

Both Patrick and Kimber made the Dean’s List every term and had their artwork selected for the college’s student showcase. They also worked together as deckhands for Kingsborough’s Youth Engagement Summer STEM at Sea (YESSS) program, helping young students learn about marine science.

Kimber had a few articles published in the student newspaper as well. “We’re proud of what we’ve done here,” she said. “Kingsborough gave us the chance to grow in ways we didn’t expect.”

Professors played a big role in their time at Kingsborough. Patrick named his ceramics professor, Janice Farley, and John Nappo, the director of KCC's Maritime Tech program, as major influences, while Kimber praised her art teachers Olga Johnson, Andrew Cross, John Descarfino, and Janet Belden, along with Shane Chapman in music.

Both agree that their most influential instructor was Captain Paul Risi, a senior college lab technician in the maritime program. “He’s a brilliant guy; kind of a maritime renaissance man. He knows everything there is to know about boats and the ocean—from engine repair, to boat building, to fisheries management,” Kimber recounted. “He served as a mentor and inspiration to both of us. We both want to be like him when we grow up.”

Patrick added “I also have to give a big shout out to Tara Yarczower, the director of KCC’s Military and Veteran Affairs Office, and her staff for their support and guidance throughout our time here. Tara is the type of person who, no matter how busy she is, will drop whatever she is doing to help you. And she always does it with a smile. Plus, she keeps snacks in her office!”

They don’t have a set plan for what’s next. “Men make plans and the gods laugh,” Patrick said. Kimber added, “We just go with the flow and jump on opportunities as they arise.”

Their advice to new students? “Stay confident in your abilities and don’t fear studying subjects outside your comfort zone,” said Patrick. Kimber added, “Do NOT take this opportunity for granted. Second chances are not guaranteed.”

What will they miss most? “The beautifully cared-for campus and the ocean views,” said Patrick. Kimber agreed—and added one more thing: “All the incredible learning opportunities here.”

As for Kingsborough itself, Kimber hopes others recognize what the college offers. “KCC has programs that are hard to find elsewhere,” she said. “It’s a gem, and I hope it continues to get the support it deserves.”