Ship’s Sponsor
Dr. Kelly Geurts, Ed.D.
Dr. Geurts Presides Over Keel Laying Ceremony
Upholding Naval traditions, Ship’s Sponsor, Dr. Kelly Geurts, presided over the official Keel Laying Ceremony for WISCONSIN (SSBN 827). The symbolic ceremony occurred on the submarine’s hull number date of 8/27. She welded her initials on a steel plate which will become a part of the submarine for its entire service life and proclaimed the keel to be “truly and fairly laid.” This ceremony marks a critical milestone as the submarine moved from design to physical construction.
Here is a link to a short interview between Dr. Kelly Geurts and Mark Rayha, President of Electric Boat, just a few moments after the conclusion of the WISCONSIN (SSBN 827) Keel Laying Ceremony on August 27, 2025:
Dr. Kelly Geurts, Ed.D.
Dr. Kelly Geurts is a retired educator with over 32 years of dedicated service to students and fellow educators. As a military spouse, she taught in various roles across the country, impacting learning at the classroom, school, and district levels. Throughout her career, she was recognized for her positive influence on students, mentorship of colleagues, and contributions to inclusive education and arts integration.
Originally from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Dr. Geurts earned her undergraduate degree in Art Education from Millersville University, a master’s degree in Special Education from Fitchburg State University in Massachusetts, and a Doctorate in Teacher Leadership from Walden University.
She remains active in her community, supporting several nonprofit organizations focused on arts and literacy. As a volunteer with the Da Vinci group, through the ARC of Loudoun County, she helps provide art instruction for adults with a variety of learning strengths and needs. To make art materials more accessible for individuals in her community, she volunteers at the NOVA Creative Reuse Center in Leesburg, Virginia. Dr. Geurts is on the Friends of the Rust Library Advisory Board. In this role, she helps to support library programs, provide books to the community, and award scholarships for graduating seniors.
Dr. Geurts is married to the Honorable James Geurts, former Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition. They reside in Leesburg, Virginia, and enjoy spending time with their two adult sons, Jimmy and Brandon, taking advantage of the many cultural opportunities that the Washington, DC area provides. Her hobbies include reading, traveling, outdoor activities, and the creative arts.
She is honored to serve as the ship’s sponsor of WISCONSIN (SSBN 827). With her husband’s family roots in the Green Bay area, Dr. Geurts holds a deep appreciation for the beauty of Wisconsin and the warmth of its people. She looks forward to fostering a lasting relationship with the crews of the future submarine USS WISCONSIN (SSBN 827).
Ship’s Sponsor
Dr Kelly Geurts named WISCONSIN’s Sponsor
A ship's sponsor, by tradition, is a female civilian who is chosen by the Secretary of the Navy to "sponsor" a ship. The sponsor is technically considered a permanent member of the ship's crew and is expected to give a part of her personality to the ship, as well as advocate for its continued service and well-being.