Inaugural F. Russell Cole Lecture, Dr. Sylvia Earle
Dr. Sylvia Earle, legendary oceanographer, acclaimed environmental scientist, and champion for ocean conservation, has been named the inaugural F. Russell Cole Distinguished Lecturer in Environmental Studies at Colby College for the academic year 2017-2018.
Dr. Earle, National Geographic’s Rosemary and Roger Enrico Chair for Ocean Exploration, is an oceanographer, founder of Mission Blue, SEAlliance and Deep Ocean Exploration and Research. She is also the Council Chair of the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, former chief scientist of NOAA and a founding Ocean Elder. Earle has been called “Her Deepness” by The New York Times and “Living Legend” by the Library of Congress and was Time magazine’s first “Hero for the Planet.” She has led over 100 expeditions and logged more than 7,000 hours underwater. She has authored more than 200 publications and lectured in 90 countries. A graduate of Florida State University with an M.S. and a Ph.D. from Duke University and 29 honorary doctorates, she serves on various boards and commissions. Her more than 100 honors include the 2013 National Geographic Hubbard Medal, 2009 TED Prize, Netherlands Order of the Golden Ark and medals from the Explorers Club, the Royal Geographical Society, the Lindbergh Foundation and the Dominican Republic. Earle is a National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence.
Her public lecture, The Quest for Sustainable Seas, demonstrated how the ocean provides the underpinning of our economy, health, security, and the existence of life itself. Once thought to be infinitely resilient, the ocean is in trouble, and therefore, so are we. With equal parts warning and hope, she shows us how actions we take in the next ten years will matter more than what we do in the next one hundred years.
The public lecture was held on Wednesday, October 18th at 7pm in Page Commons.
The F. Russell Cole Distinguished Lectureship in Environmental Studies
The F. Russell Cole Distinguished Lectureship in Environmental Studies brings environmental leaders who have made important contributions to the study of the environment to Colby College. This lectureship was generously endowed by Anne Clark Wolff (‘87) and Benjamin E. Wolff III (‘86) to honor the retirement of Oak Professor of Biological Sciences emeritus F. Russell Cole, a champion and long-time director of the Environmental Studies Program at Colby College. Cole, one of Colby’s leading teacher-scholars, was instrumental in positioning Colby as a national leader in sustainability and environmental education.
The Environmental Studies Program at Colby annually appoints one or more Cole Distinguished Lecturers to recognize individuals who have made substantial advances in and contributions to environmental science, environmental policy, environmental humanities, or environmental sustainability broadly defined. Cole Distinguished Lecturers may include environmental scientists, professionals, writers, activists, and other environmental practitioners working to understand and address pressing environmental problems. Lecturers will be drawn from academia, government, nongovernmental organizations, the private sector, and other fields as appropriate.
During their campus visit(s), Cole Distinguished Lecturers will present one or more public keynote addresses to the College and local community, attend classes, and participate in meals and diverse events designed to engage students, faculty and staff, and members of the broader Colby community in discussions about their work in and contributions to understanding and addressing their specialty topics.
A unique component of this lectureship is its relationship with the F. Russell Cole Student Fellows program at Colby. Cole Student Fellows are selected to receive research awards in environmental studies. Cole Distinguished Lecturers meet with the Cole Student Fellows during their visits, providing opportunities for networking, mentoring, and research and career advising. Cole Distinguished Lecturers are selected by a committee of Environmental Studies Program faculty, staff, and Cole Student Fellows.
F. Russell Cole Student Research Fellows Program in Environmental Studies at Colby College
Students are invited to apply for funding to support environmental research from the F. Russell Cole Student Research Fellows program in Environment Studies. Student award winners will receive a research grant and be named Cole Fellows for the 2017-18 academic year. This award was generously endowed by Anne Clark Wolff (‘87) and Benjamin E. Wolff III (‘86) to honor the distinguished career of Oak Professor of Biological Sciences emeritus F. Russell Cole, a champion and long-time director of the Environmental Studies Program at Colby College who was instrumental in positioning Colby as a national leader in sustainability and the study of the environment.
Eligibility: Current Colby students proposing or engaged in meaningful environmental research are eligible to apply for funding from the F. Russell Cole Student Research Fellows Program. Students may elect to pursue a project with a Colby faculty member, with faculty or staff at a partner organization, agency, or firm, or with faculty at another college or university. If a student proposes research at an institution not affiliated with Colby, he or she must identify a Colby research sponsor who will mentor and evaluate the student’s experience. Seniors who will graduate in May are not eligible.
Guidelines: F. Russell Cole Student Research Fellowship grants will be awarded competitively. Award amounts will vary depending on the quality and feasibility of the research proposal, availability of funds, student financial need, and any other factors deemed important by the grant committee. Students are eligible to request summer salary support. Students are encouraged to consult with Environmental Studies Program Director Philip Nyhus or Environmental Studies Coordinator Lia Morris as well as their faculty mentor to discuss project ideas and grant guidelines before submitting their proposals. Successful candidates will be named F. Russell Cole Student Research Fellows (“Cole Fellows”) for the academic year in which their awards are granted. Please contact Leslie Lima ([email protected]) for complete proposal guidelines.
Submission: Application materials must include a completed Cole Student Research Fellows Grant application. Please submit applications electronically to Leslie Lima ([email protected]). Students are responsible for making sure all recommendation and supporting letters are submitted by the deadline. Cole Fellows will be selected by the F. Russell Cole Student Research Fellows Committee.
Deadline: Review of applications will begin 5:00pm, Friday October 13 for January term 2018 and spring semester 2018, and 5:00pm, Friday, March 2 for the summer 2018.