MEDIA ADVISORY: UNH to Receive Top Tier Status as Sea Grant College Program Contact Kathleen Schmitt August 19, 2003 WHAT: The University of New Hampshire will receive top tier status as a Sea Grant College within the National Sea Grant College Program. NOAA Administrator Vice Admiral Conrad Lautenbacher will present UNH President Ann Weaver Hart with a plaque commemorating the event. Representatives of NOAA and various marine researchers will be available to answer questions at a reception following the ceremony. WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 20, 3:30 p.m. WHERE: Ceremony: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., Courtyard Reading Room, 5th
floor Dimond Library, UNH campus. Reception to follow from 4:30 to 6 p.m.,
Morse Hall Atrium, UNH campus. DETAILS: Speakers will include NOAA Administrator Vice Admiral
Conrad Lautenbacher, UNH President Ann Weaver Hart, UNH Vice President
for Research and Public Service Don Sundberg, National Sea Grant Director
Ron Baird, National Sea Grant Review Panel Chair Peter Bell, NH Sea Grant
Director Ann Bucklin, and Seacoast Science Center President Wendy Lull. BACKGROUND: Over the past 30 years, New Hampshire Sea Grant has
worked to fulfill the Sea Grant mission in its state and region. For most
of that period, it was a component of the Maine/NH Sea Grant College Program,
an entity that combined the resources of the major universities of both
states to address marine problems, issues and opportunities. In October 2000, Maine/NH Sea Grant separated, creating two fully distinct
programs. Growth in the marine research communities and funding at both
universities allowed for this development, which in turn has given each
program the opportunity to better respond to the needs of its state. However, the separation of the joint program led to UNH’s need to
reapply for top tier status as a Sea Grant College within the National
Sea Grant College Program. Designation as a Sea Grant College is based
on a demonstrated record of superior performance in marine and coastal
resource programs and signifies that the Sea Grant program is addressing
the needs of its state. In March, a distinguished panel of marine scientists visited UNH to review
its application to become a Sea Grant College. The panel members were
impressed with the breadth of marine research taking place at the university,
as well as with the quality of the marine facilities located there. The
Aug. 20 ceremony will commemorate the university’s official status
as a Sea Grant College. This award recognizes UNH’s dedication to
maintaining a high quality and balanced program of marine research, education
and outreach, and NH Sea Grant’s role in working with UNH’s
marine community, marine researchers at other state colleges and universities,
and the state’s marine stakeholders to address current and future
resource issues. CONTACT: For more information or to indicate your interest in
attending, please contact Kathleen Schmitt at 603-749-1565 or kathleen.schmitt@unh.edu.
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