Leo Demski Named Marine Lab Director Emeritus, Sandra Gilchrist Takes on Lab Director Role

(Sept. 6, 2007) — Dr. Leo S. Demski, professor of biology at New College of Florida, has been named director emeritus of the Pritzker Marine Biology Research Center, the New College laboratory he led for five years.

Demski (at right) served as the center's first director from 2001 through June 2006, when he stepped down to devote his full time to teaching and research.

New College Provost Samuel Savin announced the appointment, saying, "It is fair to say that without Leo’s vision and energy New College would not have this outstanding teaching and research facility."

Savin, vice president for academic affairs, also announced that Dr. Sandra Gilchrist, who has served as interim director of the Pritzker marine lab since July 2006, will serve as director, effective immediately. Gilchrist (at left), a professor of biology, will continue as chair of New College's Division of Natural Sciences.

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New College of Florida is a national leader in the arts and sciences and is the State of Florida’s designated honors college for the liberal arts. Consistently rated among the country’s top five public liberal arts colleges by U.S.News & World Report — including as the No. 1 public liberal arts college in "America’s Best Colleges, 2007 Edition" — New College attracts highly motivated, academically talented students from 40 states and 25 foreign countries.