Diversity Alumni

	Lloyd French, SEA Class W130, French@higp.hawaii.edu I discovered SEA through an old lonely poster hanging on a wall that had long lost all of its request-for-information forms. The poster’s image of the sails and the bowsprit looking over the horizon created in me a sense of wonder and desire for discovery and adventure. Raised in Oakland, California, I became interested in science and engineering. From SEA, I gained a hands-on experience of studying the oceans. I learned how to use the tools and apply my understanding of ocean science, nautical science, and the history of sailing to real the problems concerning the world’s oceans and its people. The discovery and adventure I had gained was through the classes on shore and my life at sea. The discovery was my true self, and the adventure was the next horizon in my career.
	Chase Cantrell, SEA Class S-182, router@umich.edu Participating in the SEA Semester as an undergraduate student was an incredibly enriching experience. As a political science major, I found that the program was a great aid in refining my analytical and problem-solving skills. These skills have not only given me a different perspective on how to approach academic work, but also a clearer understanding of how to manage any situation or challenge. Furthermore, my participation in this program has served to open many doors for me. Few social science students at the undergraduate level can boast of having received such an interdisciplinary education on the importance of our oceans. Thus, as I prepare to enter law school this fall, I do so with the knowledge that many of the skills that have led me to this place in my academic career were acquired during my weeks on the ocean learning to test my limits and striving to strengthen my will to succeed.
	Siana Lakhan, SEA Class C191A, slakhan@fau.edu SEA gave me the experiences necessary to enhance my career academically as I pursue my masters in hydrology; as well as personally by enriching my self-confidence and personal limits. SEA not only opened my eyes to the enormous world beyond land, but it also opened doors to opportunities a minority female scientist would not usually have.
	Ariel Geker, Research at SEA - Educators Program, Beamers@aol.com Students dare to dream in the classroom. Sailing the high seas with the wind goes beyond a dream. The open sea makes a worthy companion to an open mind. Let the ocean be your classroom.