Students, faculty, and staff of the University of Delaware Graduate College of Marine Studies were recognized for their accomplishments at Honors Day ceremonies held Friday, May 7, at the Hugh R. Sharp Campus in Lewes. Dr. Gerardo Chin-Leo, associate professor of environmental studies at the Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, was the guest speaker. He received his master’s and doctorate degree from the College of Marine Studies in 1985 and 1989, respectively.
Now in its 34th year, the College of Marine Studies 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. Dr. Carolyn A. Thoroughgood is dean of the college, and Dr. David L. Kirchman, professor of marine biology–biochemistry, is associate dean.
The College of Marine Studies 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.
Steven M. Thur, who received his doctorate in marine policy earlier this year, received the E. Sam Fitz Award, which recognizes the student who has displayed the greatest aptitude for professional development in marine studies.
Frances Severance Academic Council Awards for the best thesis or dissertation within a program area were awarded to the following students: Nicole B. Lopanik, dissertation in marine biology–biochemistry; Steven Thur, dissertation in marine policy; Linda C. Popels, dissertation in oceanography; and Michael M. Whitney, dissertation in physical ocean science and engineering.
Marian R. Okie Fellowships, based on academic and research excellence and demonstrated leadership abilities, were awarded to Brian P. Boutin and Timothy E. Proseus, a master’s and doctoral student in marine biology–biochemistry, respectively; Nicole D. Cass, Jason T. Didden, and Christen E. Loper, doctoral students in marine policy; and Justin E. Ossolinski, master’s student in oceanography. Benjamin J. Ciotti, doctoral student in marine biology–biochemistry received the Gerald and Frances L. Bow Fellowship on the basis of academic and research excellence. These fellowships were for the academic year 2003–2004.
Also for the year 2003–2004, CMS Program Fellowships were presented to Mia K. Steinberg, master’s student in marine biology–biochemistry; Christina M. Jarvis, master’s student in marine policy; Amanda Jo Waite, master’s student in oceanography; and Ana Eguiluz, doctoral student in physical ocean science and engineering. These fellowships are awarded on the basis of academic accomplishments.
Jason Didden also received a University Graduate Fellows Award, granted on the basis of academic and research excellence and demonstrated leadership abilities. Cindi A. Hoover, doctoral student in marine biology–biochemistry, received a University Graduate Scholars Award, granted on the basis of academic and research accomplishments.
Bernice L. McLean, doctoral student in marine policy, received the Gerard J. Mangone Center for Marine Policy Award for the best contribution by a student to the center. Functioning within CMS, the center focuses on legal, political, and economic marine issues.
Allison Y. Beauregard, doctoral student in oceanography, and Kathleen D. Scheiderich, master’s student in oceanography, received student travel awards from the University of Delaware’s Commission on the Status of Women. Jonathan C. Lilley, doctoral student in marine policy, received the Best Graduate Paper Award in the University’s Legal Studies annual Student Paper Conference.
Publication awards were presented to Gregory S. Avicola for “The Characteristics of the Recirculating Bulge Region in Coastal Buoyant Outflows,” co-authored by Pablo Huq, professor of physical ocean science and engineering, and published in the Journal of Marine Research; Kevin L. Stierhoff, doctoral student in marine biology–biochemistry, for “Hypoxia Tolerance of the Mummichog: The Role of Access to the Water Surface,” co-authored by Timothy Targett, professor of marine biology–biochemistry, and Paul A. Grecay, associate professor of biology at Salisbury University in Maryland, and published in the Journal of Fish Biology; and Katherine M. Achilles, doctoral student in oceanography, for “Bioavailability of Iron to Trichodesmium Colonies in the Western Subtropical Atlantic Ocean” and published in Limnology and Oceanography. Achilles’s paper was co-authored by Thomas Church, professor of oceanography; Steven W. Wilhelm, assistant professor of microbiology at the University of Tennessee; George W. Luther III, Maxwell P. and Mildred H. Harrington Professor of Marine Studies; and David A. Hutchins, associate professor of oceanography.
Many students received special awards and fellowships from various organizations. Meredith L. Blaydes, master’s student in marine policy; Jennifer A. Costanza, master’s student in marine biology–biochemistry; and Bernice McLean were recipients of the Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship in the National Sea Grant Federal Fellows Program. Costanza and Jiangbo Wang, doctoral student in marine biology–biochemistry, received Delaware Sea Grant student awards in recognition of research excellence in the Delaware Sea Grant College Program.
Jennifer A. Jennings, master’s student in oceanography, received the Thomas H. Hinkle Award in recognition of her research involving Delaware’s Inland Bays. Robin M. Tyler, doctoral student in marine biology–biochemistry received the Center for the Inland Bays Award, a new award recognizing demonstrated excellence in research, which advances the resource management and educational mission of the center.
The National Science Foundation awarded a graduate student fellowship to Danielle M. Winget, doctoral student in oceanography, and an honorable mention to Letise T. Houser, doctoral student in marine biology–biochemistry. Amanda Jo Waite, master’s student in oceanography, was awarded a Sigma Xi Grant-in-Aid and a research grant from the Geological Society of America. Brian Dzwonkowski, doctoral student in oceanography, was a recipient of the NASA Space Grant Fellowship Award from the NASA Delaware Valley Space Grant College and Fellowship Program. Tracy L. Szela, master’s student in marine biology–biochemistry, was awarded a scholarship for Antarctic research diving equipment from the Explorer’s Club. Jennifer D. Robison, master’s student in marine biology–biochemistry received the Elizabeth K. Tunnell Memorial Fellowship sponsored by the Beneath the Sea Organization.
In addition, students were recognized for exemplary presentations and honors in other areas. Katherine Achilles received the Outstanding Student Poster Award at the 2004 Joint Ocean Research Conference sponsored by the American Society of Limnology and Oceanography and the Ocean Society, and Robert E. Trouwborst, doctoral student in oceanography, received a third prize in a poster competition at the 2004 NASA Astrobiology Science Conference. Tracy Szela was the invited speaker at the February 2004 meeting of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Explorer’s Club. Melissa A. Theis and Nicole Cass, doctoral students in marine policy, co-authored and presented a paper at the 83rd annual meeting of the Transportation Research Board in 2004. Letise Houser was elected as one of two national student representatives to the executive board of the American Society of Limnology and Oceanography.
The Lighted Boat Parade at the annual Boast the Coast Festival in Lewes provides a unique opportunity for the College of Marine Studies to showcase its creative skills. On October 4, 2003, the team of Michael B. Jones, who received his doctorate in marine biology–biochemistry last year; Michael Krasilovsky, an undergraduate semester-in-residence student; Paul R. Jones, Lisa S. Krimsky, Michael T. League, and Jennifer D. Robison, master’s students in marine biology-biochemistry; Benjamin J. Ciotti and Karen N. Pelletreau, doctoral students in marine biology–biochemistry; Kathleen Scheiderich and Amanda Jo Waite, master’s students in oceanography; and Arthur J. Sundberg, assistant director of Marine Operations, received the Most Imaginative” award.
Faculty also were recognized for their teaching and research. John S. Boyer, E. I. du Pont Professor of Marine Biochemistry/Biophysics, was elected to be a corresponding member of the Australian Academy of Science. Taming of the Oyster: A History of Evolving Shellfisheries and the National Shellfisheries Association, written by Melbourne R. Carriker, professor emeritus, was published in 2003. George W. Luther III was selected by the Geochemical Society to receive the 2004 Claire C. Patterson Award. He also was reappointed as a member of the U.S. National Committee for the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics. Adam Marsh, assistant professor of marine biology–biochemistry, received the Faculty Early Career Development Award from the National Science Foundation. Douglas C. Miller, associate professor of oceanography, was selected as a participant to the Global Citizenship Faculty Fellows Program at the University of Delaware. Ferris Webster was honored with the title of professor emeritus upon his retirement in December 2003.
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 15 awards in the Delaware Press Association’s 2004 First State Communications Contest for the following projects: Feature and Special Articles, Coast Day 2003 Poster, University of Delaware Sea Grant Reporter Special Issue 2003, “Wave of the Future” Recruiting Brochure, Horseshoe Crab Educational Bulletin, Extreme 2003 Resource Guide and Web Site, Publications Catalog, News and Feature Releases, and College of Marine Studies Web Site. The team of Barczak, Bryant, and Donnelly also received an Individual Achievement Award for “Extreme 2003: To The Depths Of Discovery” Multimedia Program.