KINGSTON, R.I.—April 11, 2019—A former congressman who led the fight for health insurance parity for those with mental health and substance use disorders, an educator who uses tall ships as platforms to educate college students about the ocean and environment, the founding director of the leading international engineering program, a renowned musician and philanthropist, and a former college president will be awarded honorary degrees by the University of Rhode Island at its 133rd Undergraduate Commencement Ceremonies Sunday, May 19.

SEA Semester in the NEWS
The College Reporter
Franklin & Marshall College

As part of F&M’s Sustainability Week, at last Thursday’s Common Hour, Dr. Kara Lavender Law, a Research Professor of Oceanography at the Sea Education Association, spoke on the harmful effects that plastics in our oceans can have on marine life.

As a third-generation resident of Cuttyhunk and an aquaculture pioneer, Seth Garfield, W-23, has made a career on the water and he credits SEA Semester for much of his success.

An active member of the SEA community, Seth’s involvement began in 1975, when he enrolled in SEA Semester as a senior in high school.  He was the youngest in the class—most other students were juniors from Cornell University. His captain was John Metcalfe, and the first mate was Wallace Stark. Wallace went on the sail many voyages as SEA Captain and, as Marine Superintendent, led the design and construction of the SSV Corwith Cramer.

As I write this, spring is just around the corner. You would think that the cold, winter months are the not-so-busy-time for SEA’s shore facilities coordinator. On the contrary! I may not be out and about as much, but my days are filled with planning and coordinating our much-needed springtime maintenance activities. I’m fortunate this year to have a six-week window of opportunity to get some larger improvement projects done that would otherwise interrupt student life here on campus.

SEA Semester in the News
Allegheny College Student Spending Semester Sailing through Waters of New Zealand
Allegheny College News

Allegheny College student Luke Kellett, an environmental studies major and political science minor from Pasadena, Maryland, is among a select group of 26 undergraduates from diverse U.S. institutions who are spending this semester sailing through the waters of New Zealand.

Jonathan Harris, C-112, winner of the 2019 Armin E. Elsaesser III Fellowship, has begun research on his project, “Pirates, Blockades and Commerce: an Expedition to Explore the Maritime History, Fortifications, and Lighthouses of the Gulf Islands National Seashore.”

All is well aboard the Robert C. Seamans.

Congratulations, the acceptance letters have arrived and you’ve been accepted to your school of choice… with one caveat. They don’t have room for you until the spring term.

Before you lose heart and settle for your second choice, remember that this is a regular practice and needn’t affect your overall college experience. In fact, it could be a great opportunity.

SEA Semester in the NEWS
A Young Island on Earth May Reveal Clues to How Water Shaped Mars
By Niraj Chokshi
The New York Times

Four years ago, an underwater volcano erupted in the South Pacific, creating a new island. And NASA took notice.

SEA Semester in the News
New Tonga island ‘now home to flowers and owls’
BBC News

Scientists have found signs of life on one of the world’s newest islands, just four years after it was spawned by a volcanic eruption.

Unofficially known as Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai, it lies in the kingdom of Tonga, and is already nurturing pink flowering plants, sooty tern birds, and even barn owls.

Tonga is made up of over 170 islands in the Pacific Ocean, east of Australia.

A team from the Sea Education Association and Nasa visited the small land mass in October, having previously kept watch through satellite imaging.

Read the full story.