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July 2019
A bi-monthly newsletter from Sea Education Association for alumni, parents & friends.
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Above: Class S-287, Protecting the Phoenix Islands; Below: A high school student registers for SEASCape: SEA Science on the Cape; Bottom: Members of the Partnership Education Program (PEP) class of 2010 aboard the SSV Corwith Cramer.
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Members of Class S-287, Protecting the Phoenix Islands, began the shore component of their program on our Woods Hole campus on June 10th. The students are currently aboard the SSV Robert C. Seamans for the sea component, which began July 3rd in American Samoa.
Also now on campus or aboard the SSV Corwith Cramer are students enrolled in our two high school programs: our shore-based SEASCape: SEA Science on the Cape (July 1 - 19 and July 22 - Aug. 9) and our at-sea program, SEA Expedition (July 12 - 24 and July 29 - Aug. 10).
Finally, members of the Partnership Education Program (PEP) have completed the classroom portion of their program and are currently in residence on the SEA campus while they complete their research internships in the Woods Hole scientific community. (See story and photo below).
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| PEP students aboard the SSV Corwith Cramer.
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PEP Going Strong after Ten Years
By Douglas Karlson
It’s been ten years since the Woods Hole Diversity Initiative launched the Partnership Education Program (PEP) in 2009. The 11th PEP cohort, which numbers 14 students, recently completed their classroom work at SEA, as well as a short cruise aboard the SSV Corwith Cramer, and are now living on the SEA campus while they do internships at scientific organizations in Woods Hole.
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Numbers that Tell the Story
By Julia Alling, Director of Development
Although it may look like a jumble of nonsense, a few numbers and letters strung together tell an essential story about Sea Education Association.
The first set identifies SEA as an organization recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a nonprofit. Donors receive a receipt for their gift, which might trigger a deduction on tax returns. However, as helpful as a tax deduction may be to a donor, it’s not the reason they open their wallet and make a gift to SEA. The second set of numbers gets us closer to the "why."
The second set indicates the very first class who joined the Westward to the most recent classes currently preparing to step aboard the Cramer and the Seamans. These numbers represent the people – students, crew, faculty, parents, friends, and staff – who made it possible for SEA to take its mission to inspire ocean scholars, stewards, and leaders around the globe.
Alumni give because their experience was transformative. Parents give because their child's semester was life-changing. Friends give because they want SEA to be available for the next generation of ocean scholars and leaders. This is the "why." Alumni, parents, and friends supported SEA this year because they believe in our mission and what we do.
The last set of numbers represents a corner turned and a cause for celebration. With your support, and the support of trustees, overseers, alumni, parents, and friends, SEA met its Annual Fund goal this year. $1,357,072 is the outward and visible declaration that SEA's mission is vital to our community.
Thank you.
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Up & Coming: Kaleigh SpencerHigh School program alumna raises plastic pollution awareness
A great experience at SEASCape: SEA Science on the Cape, SEA’s high school summer program in Woods Hole, inspired one recent alumna to share what she learned about plastic pollution in the ocean, and in doing so, to give back to SEA!
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Trash Shouldn't Splash, a program that encourages the reduction of single-use plastics, has released a toolkit to help communities start single-use plastics reduction campaigns. There's also a new video that explains the problem. The video features SEA's Research Professor of Oceanography Dr. Kara Lavender Law. Trash Shouldn't Splash is a collaboration between SEA, Falmouth Water Stewards/Skip the Straw, and the NOAA Marine Debris Program. §
Congratulations to Capt. John O'Keefe, C-183, Director of U.S. Marine Affairs for Orsted U.S. Offshore Wind, who has been named Maritime Person of the Year by the Propeller Club of Narragansett Bay. A former Chief Mate at SEA, John serves as manager of operations and maintenenance for the Block Island Wind Farm. §
Congratulations also to SEA Overseer Ken Potter, W-43, who was recently appointed as a part-time member of the Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board. Ken is managing director of Veritas Marine, Ltd, which provides marine accident investigation and prevention services. §
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We wish "fair winds" to SEA Science Operations Coordinator Georgie Zelenak, who is joining a University of Colorado Boulder research group working with NOAA scientists to manage bathymetric data. Georgie is an alumna of C-223B, the Oceanography of the Gulf of Maine high school program. Since joining the SEA Marine Operations staff, she had sailed on both the SSV Corwith Cramer and SSV Robert C. Seamans and also participated in yard periods for both ships. Good luck in your new opportunity, Georgie!
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Recruiting the Next Watch
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Your Efforts Are Paying Off!By Katharine Enos, Dean of Admissions & Marketing
Thanks to the generosity of our friends, in addition to the incredible efforts of our admissions and marketing staff, I’m thrilled to share that we met or exceeded our recruitment goals for all summer 2019 high school programs and fall 2019 SEA Semester classes!
In large part, these accomplishments are thanks to the generosity of the SEA family, which is twofold.
First, our supporters take the time and effort to recommend SEA to prospective high school and college students. These word-of-mouth endorsements make a huge difference and are our leading source of referrals.
Second, the generous financial support of our donors allows us to offer the assistance that makes SEA programs accessible to all qualified students, regardless of their ability to pay. Thanks to our donors, SEA is currently meeting the demonstrated need of all undergraduate semester students. Last year, we awarded more than $1 million in financial aid for SEA Semester programs, and the average award was $13,600.
So, thank you for all your support! By spreading the word about SEA, you have made a real impact on the success of our organization this year.
However, we do still have a few spaces open on our new fall 2019 gap semester program, offering both credit bearing and not-for-credit tracks. If you know of any graduating high school seniors who are deferring their college admission or taking a gap year, please send them our way.
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| Left: Members of the marine operations department load a 20-foot container with supplies for the SSV Robert C. Seamans. The container is now en-route to American Samoa. Left to right: SEA Capt. Cassie Sleeper; Cassie's friend Ash, who volunteered for the day (thank you Ash!); Kim Reed, SEA science progam coordinator, Mickey Cavancas, SEA port engineer; photo by Capt. Jay Amster. Right: New fan funded by grant by Deerbrook Foundation.
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Grant Funds Improved Ventilation for Seamans
By Mickey Cavacas, SEA port engineer
Included in the recent shipping container to the Robert C. Seamans are some parts to upgrade the ship's ventilation. A recent grant from the Deerbrook Foundation has allowed us to purchase new fans to increase air-flow in the aft accommodations spaces known as Sleepy Hollow and 16th Street. The installation of forced ventilation will also allow us to replace several cowl vents with smaller mushroom-style vents, which should drastically improve visibility from the quarterdeck. A big thanks to the Deerbrook Foundation for one of the many things that will be possible with help from their grant!
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Director of Marine Operations
The Director of Marine Operations is responsible for manning, operations and maintenance of vessels owned or operated by SEA, and for the safety of the programs at sea in accordance with government regulations and policies established by the board of trustees and president.
Science Coordinator
The Science Coordiantor supports and promotes science operations on board SEA’s two sailing school vessels and in shore laboratories on our Woods Hole campus. He or she works alongside the Science Programs Coordinator, Marine Operations staff, Academic Dean, and Marine Science faculty in support of marine science programs and overall ship operations.
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Open Ship in Boston
The public is invited to visit the SSV Corwith Cramer at the Moakley Courthouse dock in Boston on Sunday, July 28, from 1 to 5 pm. This is a good opportunity to tour the ship and learn more about SEA and our programs for high school, gap year, and college students. This is a free event open to families. We hope to see you!
Come to the Woods Hole Science Stroll!
Once again this summer, Sea Education Association is participating in the Woods Hole Science Stroll on Saturday, Aug. 10th, from 10 am to 3 pm. This is a free event that's fun for the whole family! It's an opportunity to engage with people from 15 Woods Hole organziations to learn about the discoveries they are making. SEA's tent will be located in Waterfront Park. We hope to see you!
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