By Carlos Acevedo, Internal Communications Editor, University Communications
Michigan, a state embraced by the Great Lakes, is a prominent U.S. Coast Guard hub. However, as one of the smallest military branches, this scrappy maritime organization of almost 42,000 active-duty service members is often overshadowed by the larger active-duty armed forces: the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. That’s something Steve Jowett wants to address. The longtime MSU information technologist has made it his mission to increase appreciation for the Coast Guard through his personal service as a board member of the Coast Guard Foundation, a private nonprofit that provides funding and support for Coast Guard families.
“I’ve always felt like they needed more recognition,” Jowett said. “People forget about them until they need them.”
Not everyone knows that the U.S. Coast Guard is a national military service located throughout the country and abroad. It has a strong presence in the Great Lakes, which includes 10 commissioned vessels, called cutters, four air stations with rescue helicopters and 48 stations equipped with rescue boats. The service’s motto “semper paratus” is Latin for “always ready” and underscores the urgency of its mission to help those in need.
Although Jowett was never in the Coast Guard, he might as well have been given his exposure. He grew up in Port Huron, Michigan, which is a hive of Coast Guard activity. The distinctive red, white and blue stripes of cutters are a common sight in the nearby fresh water, and the whirring roar of bright orange rescue helicopters whizzing overhead is equally familiar to residents.
Although Steve loved boats, he studied photography and later took a job at MSU in 1997. That early foot-in-the-door evolved into a 26-year career managing MSU’s classroom technology. He is currently one of the university’s senior IT staff members.
Ever the shutterbug, Jowett took pictures for the Associated Press, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Farmers Insurance Championship and several regional newspapers. In 2010, Jowett’s passions for boats and photography converged when he embarked on a personal quest to photograph all the Coast Guard cutters that patrol the Great Lakes. 15,000 digital images later, Jowett’s labor of love became a book called “Guardians 365,” which features hundreds of his best images of ships and their hardworking crews.
The vivid work caught the eye of retired Coast Guard Vice Admiral Sally Brice-O’Hara, who nominated Jowett to serve the foundation. It was a welcome opportunity for the Spartan. Like his father — a career public servant — Jowett had an overwhelming desire to give back to the Great Lakes region he loves. And like the many individuals who serve the Coast Guard, he is always ready to step up and lead.
“His extensive knowledge of the service’s operations in the Great Lakes region will be invaluable to advancing awareness of a unique, multi-mission branch of the nation’s armed forces,” Brice-O’Hara said. “The Coast Guard Foundation is already benefiting from Steve’s ideas and extensive network to expand into new areas. He is certain to be impactful in building friends and funds to enhance the quality of life for the sentinels who serve with courage, self-sacrifice, and commitment to keep Americans safe and secure.”
Unanimously elected, Jowett is poised to begin his three-year term with the Coast Guard Foundation — a voluntary position that entails raising awareness of the Coast Guard’s service to the nation and helping its service members while also building support for the foundation’s missions.
“It was truly one of the happiest days of my life when I got elected,” Jowett said. “I’m ecstatic that I can give back to members of the Coast Guard. It couldn’t be a better fit.”
