Students, faculty, and staff of the University of Delaware Graduate College of Marine Studies (CMS) were recognized for their accomplishments at Honors Day ceremonies held Friday, May 3, at the Hugh R. Sharp Campus in Lewes. Dean Carolyn A. Thoroughgood presided over the ceremonies and presented awards to the recipients. Dr. Charles J. Lord III, supervisor of the Elemental Analysis Section of Phillips Petroleum Company in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, was the guest speaker.
Now in its 32nd year, CMS is a graduate college whose mission is to advance the knowledge, wise use, and conservation of global, estuarine, and coastal ocean environments through a program of excellence in research, teaching, and service. Students specialize in one of four program areas — marine biology-biochemistry, marine policy, oceanography, or physical ocean science and engineering — but gain a working knowledge of each area through interdisciplinary study and hands-on research designed to prepare them for careers in academia, industry, and public service. CMS also serves as home to the University of Delaware Sea Grant College Program, a partnership among the federal and state governments, universities, industry, and the public, focused on the wise use, conservation, and management of marine and coastal resources.
Elias J. Hunter, M.S. graduate in physical ocean science and engineering, received the E. Sam Fitz Award, which recognizes the student who has displayed the greatest aptitude for professional development in the field of marine studies.
Frances Severance Academic Council Awards for the best thesis or dissertation within a program area were awarded to Elias J. Hunter, thesis in physical ocean science and engineering; Katherine E. Bunting-Howarth, dissertation in marine policy; Matthew C. Schwartz, dissertation in oceanography; and Carol A. Di Meo, dissertation in marine biology-biochemistry.
Cecily C. Natunewicz, Ph.D. graduate in oceanography, received a publications award for “Transport of Crab Larval Patches in the Coastal Ocean,” co-authored by Charles E. Epifanio, professor of marine biology-biochemistry, and Richard W. Garvine, professor of physical ocean science and engineering, and published in Marine Ecology Progress Series. Stefano Belfiore, doctoral student in marine policy, received the Center for the Study of Marine Policy Award for the best research paper by a student in marine policy. Functioning withiJ CMS, the center focuses on legal, political, and economic marine issues.
Shufen Ma, doctoral student in oceanography, received the Thomas H. Hinkle Award in recognition of her research involving Delaware’s Inland Bays. Rebecca M. Banworth, master’s student in marine biology-biochemistry, was recognized for coordinating the Graduate Symposium on Marine Policy and Science held in January 2002.
Marian R. Okie Fellowships, based on academic and research excellence and demonstrated leadership abilities, were awarded to Meredith L. Blaydes, master’s student in marine policy, and Brian Dzwonkowski, master’s student in oceanography. CMS Program Fellowships were granted for 2001–2002 on the basis of academic accomplishments to the following master’s students: Damian C. Brady, marine biology-biochemistry; Jennifer S. Harris, marine policy; Lauren B. Jancaitis, oceanography; and Luc Lenain, physical ocean science and engineering.
University Competitive Fellowships were presented to Robert E. Barber III, master’s student in marine biology-biochemistry, and Michael M. Whitney, doctoral student in physical ocean science and engineering. President’s Fellowships were awarded to the following students: Susan Park, doctoral student in oceanography; Michael B. Jones, doctoral student in marine biology-biochemistry; and Cindi A. Hoover and Letise T. Houser, master’s students in marine biology-biochemistry. In addition, Robin M. Tyler, doctoral student in marine biology-biochemistry, received a University Tuition Scholarship.
Many students received special awards and fellowships from various organizations. Brian T. Glazer, doctoral student in marine biology-biochemistry, and Luc Lenain, master’s student in physical ocean science and engineering, received Delaware Sea Grant student awards in recognition of research excellence in the Delaware Sea Grant College Program. Gonzalo A. Cid and Gerhard F. Kuska, doctoral students in marine policy, were recipients of the Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship in the National Sea Grant Federal Fellows Program.
Gonzalo A. Cid also received a study/research grant under the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission-UNESCO Grant Programme. Rex R. Malmstrom, master’s student in marine biology-biochemistry, was a recipient of both the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship and the 2001–2002 National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship, which is sponsored by the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Science and Technology and the Office of Naval Research. Susan Park, doctoral student in oceanography, will work with the Ocean Studies Board this summer as a recipient of the National Academies Christine Mirzayan Internship.
Students also were recognized for exemplary presentations and honors in other areas. Kevin L. Stierhoff, master’s student in marine biology-biochemistry, was the recipient of the Best Student Presentation Award at the Fall 2001 Meeting of the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the American Fisheries Societies. Luc Lenain received the Second-Best Student Paper Award at the 141st Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America held in Chicago in June 2001. Susan Park was Runner-Up for the Best Student Poster Presentation at the 2001 Estuarine Research Federation Meeting in November. Christopher J. Petrone, master’s student in marine biology-biochemistry, was invited to be the keynote speaker at the Beta Beta Beta (Biology Honor Society) Induction Dinner at Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland.
The Lighted Boat Parade at the annual Boast the Coast Festival in Lewes provides a unique opportunity for CMS to showcase its creative skills. On October 6, 2001, CMS received first place in the “Best Use of Lights” category for power vessels over 25-feet. The CMS team included the following members: Brian T. Glazer; Letise T. Houser; Michael B. Jones; Christopher J. Petrone; Janet A. Nye, master’s student in marine biology-biochemistry; YoUDee, the UD mascot; and Arthur J. Sundberg, assistant director of Marine Operations. The Honorary Grand Marshal for the boat parade was Dean Carolyn A. Thoroughgood.
Faculty also were recognized for their teaching and research. The Melbourne R. Carriker Meditation Garden, which was a gift to Melbourne R. Carriker, Professor Emeritus of Marine Studies, from his former students, was formally dedicated. Thomas R. Church, professor of oceanography, was appointed trustee of the Bermuda Biological Station for Research. George W. Luther III, professor of oceanography, was re-elected as alternate councilor to the Division of Geochemistry of the American Chemical Society and also was appointed editor-in-chief of Aquatic Geochemistry. William J. Ullman, professor of oceanography, was a recipient of a Visiting Scientist Fellowship at both Flinders University in Adelaide, South Australia, and the Land and Water Division of Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation in Glen Osmond, South Australia. David A. Hutchins, associate professor of oceanography, was appointed associate editor of the Journal of Geophysical Research — Oceans.
David L. Kirchman, acting associate dean and professor of marine biology-biochemistry, was appointed to the editorial board of FEMS Microbiology Ecology, the editorial advisory board of John Wiley & Sons, and to the American Society for Microbiology Committee on Global Change. Kirchman also received an Advanced Study Fellowship from the Hanse Institute for Advanced Study in Delmenhorst, Germany. Denise M. Seliskar, research scientist and co-director of the Halophyte Biotechnology Center, was appointed concurrent professor at Nanjing University in the People’s Republic of China, Physiological Section Program Chairman of the Botanical Society of America, and associate editor of Wetlands. Willett M. Kempton, associate professor of marine policy, was appointed contributing editor of Environment and to the advisory board of the Journal of Ecological Anthropology.
The following CMS staff also were honored. Nioma H. Thompson, manager, and Julie A. Tigue, administrative coordinator, earned Professional Staff Merit Awards. Sandra S. Magers, office manager, and Kimberly A. Doucette, administrative assistant, received Salaried Staff Merit Awards.
The Marine Public Education team consisting of David A. Barczak, art director; Tracey L. Bryant, director; Pamela L. Donnelly, production manager; and Kari Gulbrandsen, marine outreach specialist; were the recipients of numerous awards. The following projects — the At Sea Newsletter, Extreme 2001 Web Site, Extreme 2001 Resource Guide, News/Feature Press Releases, University of Delaware Sea Grant Reporter Special Issue 2001, and 2001 Coast Day Poster — received 10 awards in the Welaware Press Association’s 2002 First State Communications Contest. In addition, the Extreme 2000 Web Site and the CMS Video received two awards in the International Association of Business Communicators First State Communications Awards Competition.