New College Student Receives National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship

Second-year New College student Michael J. Dexter, a Sarasota High School graduate, was recently awarded a 2009 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship. These highly competitive national awards are given annually to academically talented college sophomores majoring in a discipline area related to oceanic and atmospheric science, research, technology, or education and supportive of NOAA’s programs and mission.

The Hollings Scholarship Program provides successful undergraduate applicants with awards that include academic assistance (up to a maximum of $8,000 per year) for full-time study during the 9-month academic year; a 10-week, full-time internship position ($650/week) during the summer at a NOAA facility; and, if reappointed, academic assistance (up to a maximum of $8,000) for full-time study during a second 9-month academic year. The internship between the first and second years of the award provides the Scholars with ‘‘hands-on”/ practical educational training experience in NOAA-related science, research, technology, policy, management, and education activities.

Dexter is currently studying a mixed curriculum of natural and political sciences at New College. Dexter credits his professors, Frank Alcock and Margaret Lowman, as well as assistant vice president of academic affairs, Julie Morris, for encouraging him to apply for the scholarship. He plans to use the NOAA scholarship this summer to conduct research for his New College senior thesis on Coastal Land Management Policy and the effects on the Puget Sound Ecosystem.

“Much of my class research experience has been based around ecology and environmental issues with Dr. Margaret Lowman and my experience with marine policy is due to political science professor Frank Alcock,” Dexter commented. “I believe I was chosen by NOAA because of my well rounded education at New College, volunteer work and extracurricular involvement, as well as my determination to connect science with policy.”

In addition to his Hollings Scholarship, Dexter recently completed an internship in Tallahassee with the Collins Center for Public Policy, where he worked to develop public policy with the Council for a Sustainable Florida and the Century Commission. Dexter’s internship was part of State Representative Keith Fitzgerald’s Capitol Internship Program for New College students.

For more information on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship, visit: www.oesd.noaa.gov/.

For more information, contact Aimee Chouinard, Media Relations Coordinator, at (941) 487-4152 or [email protected].