Winners of the teaching awards were honored at the 2026 Annual Meeting
During the 2026 Annual Meeting in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, National Educational Officer Chuck Wells presented the 2025 Charles F. Chapman Award for Excellence in Teaching to two outstanding instructors: Cynthia Lamb and Bob Corsaro.
This year’s winners represent the best of the best of America’s Boating Club | United States Power Squadrons. The Chapman Award is the highest recognition awarded to our educators, chosen each year from a pool of nominees by the Chapman Awards Selection Team of the Instructor Development Committee. The honorees receive a recognition plaque, a gold Chapman Award lapel pin, a four-year Certified Instructor wallet card and their names inscribed in a permanent logbook kept in the Chapman Memorial Library at headquarters in Raleigh, North Carolina.
CYNTHIA LAMB
- GOLDEN ISLES SAIL & POWER SQUADRON/26
- MEMBER SINCE 2020
- 5 MERIT MARKS
Before moving to the Golden Isles area six years ago, Cynthia Lamb had no boating experience. In that short period, however, she has accomplished a lot: joined America’s Boating Club | United States Power Squadrons; earned the grade of Offshore Mariner as a student; became an instructor to teach America’s Boating Course, Boat Handling, and Tides and Currents; and created the Women in Boating and Boating Safety for Kids programs for her squadron.
Beginning her career as a Navy mathematician developing simulation-based training for the submarine force, Cynthia went on to teach leadership programs and develop corporate war games and business simulations to foster leadership skills, critical thinking and tactical decision-making. Today, she incorporates this background and experience into her classroom to help boaters become safer and smarter.
Her involvement with the squadron doesn’t end at the classroom; Cynthia also performs vessel safety checks, chairs the squadron newsletter, edits the district newsletter, and participates in other civic and club activities, such as presenting the Tides and Currents seminar at the local university. Her can-do attitude and problem-solving skills make her an asset to the organization. Bright and knowledgeable, she is always at the forefront of her squadron’s efforts to address the needs of their boating community.
Cynthia has the ability to instruct both beginners and experts. This knack comes f rom her belief that
boating safety is the most important factor in enjoying time on the water. She treats each student with respect and provides them with understandable information that can be applied in any situation, whether a cruise or an on-the-water emergency.
“I come to each class, seminar and lecture with as much enthusiasm and fun as I can,” she said. “I
utilize humor to make myself as approachable as possible.” This approachability often results in more student engagement and participation. Students feel more confident speaking up and answering questions, and, whether they’re right or wrong, she leads them in finding the correct path that will
stick with them on the water.
In addition to teaching aids, Cynthia likes to incorporate stories, scenarios and simulations whenever possible.
“Stories are an incredibly effective way to make the material more memorable and more fun,” she said.
Shannon Johnson, who took Cynthia’s Women in Boating class, commended her enthusiasm in teaching. “Her passion for continual learning just spills over to the content she presents, making learning easy,” she said.
She credits Cynthia for helping her feel like a competent boater. “My interest level went from wanting to have a brief overview of the powerboating basics as a passenger to having a real interest to learn more and to develop my skills.”
Cynthia’s passion in the classroom was echoed by other students and peers. Fellow Chapman Award
winner Charles Wilsdorf said of her teaching abilities, “Her enthusiasm for the subject she is teaching rubs off on her students, keeping the class enthusiastic and eager. There doesn’t seem like there is any question she cannot answer.”
For Cynthia, the best way to learn about a topic is to teach it.
“The key for me as a teacher is to remember what it was like to be a beginner. I try to anticipate where students might struggle before teaching it,” she said. “If I have trouble explaining [a concept] to them, it means that I don’t understand it very well myself. So, I go back to the material and work on it some more.”
This dedication is appreciated by her students, like Cathy Brewer-Moore. “Cynthia has enormous respect for the water and truly enjoys sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm.”
BOB CORSARO
- BEAUFORT SAIL & POWER SQUADRON/26
- MEMBER SINCE 2010
- 10 MERIT MARKS
Before joining America’s Boating Club | United States Power Squadrons, Bob Corsaro had taught highly technical university-level courses and given presentations to other U.S. Navy engineers and scientists. Initially hesitant to take Instructor Development, he eventually joined the Boat Systems Committee and learned the value in communicating technical information to members.
The squadron’s lead instructor for Engine Maintenance, Bob helps review and develop new material for classes. In fact, he proposed restructuring Marine Electrical Systems into a series of five seminars to make it more modern and relevant, and in 2025, the first seminar of the series, Introduction to Boat Batteries, launched.
“He collaborates with colleagues to review curricula, share best practices, and foster a culture of teaching excellence within our organization,” said Mitch Anderson, rear commander of the Boat Systems Committee.
With his scientific background and years of boating experience, Bob infuses his teaching with patience and creativity to engage his students. He tailors lessons to meet the individual needs of his students, whether novice or seasoned boaters, and student feedback and course evaluations consistently reflect Bob’s ability to effectively communicate advanced concepts.
“Bob incorporates innovative teaching methods and adapts lessons to accommodate diverse learning styles,” student Jim Ryan said.
“What truly sets him apart is his ability to engage and inspire students of all ages and backgrounds. He possesses a unique ability to make complex concepts accessible and enjoyable, fostering an environment of learning and curiosity.”
According to Mitch Anderson, Bob will research FAQs from the online recreational boating community and develop scenarios that have students go beyond just demonstrating understanding of concepts to applying that understanding and critical thinking.
Another student, Chad St. Onge, applauded his teaching style.
“He creates an interactive classroom experience that keeps students engaged and motivated. He encourages participation and fosters lively discussions, turning every class into a valuable and enjoyable learning opportunity.”
Chad continued, “His passion for boating is evident in every class, fostering a positive learning environment.”
His commitment to student achievement and professional teamwork reflects the ideals embodied by the Chapman Award, and its impact extends beyond the classroom to the organization and boating community at large.
