A graduate of the California Maritime Academy, John M. Keever lost little time in raising his license from third mate to master. He has been on the faculty at the academy since 1972 with official absences to acquire seatime. In 1980 he received his master of arts from Golden Gate University. He is a commander in the Merchant Marine Reserve of the U.S. Navy and is master of the training ship Golden Bear. An enthusiastic sailor, he sailed his own 35-foot ketch to Honolulu in 1973.