Mark Ruffalo Gives a Small Florida College the 'Hollywood Treatment' in 'Dark Waters'

Bilott is the lawyer who fought against chemical giant DuPont after the company allowed the chemical PFOA, to flow into the community water supply in West Virginia.

Part of the story includes Bilott’s college days, featured in The New York Times article, “The Lawyer Who Became DuPont’s Worst Nightmare,” The Herald-Tribune reports.

Bilott told The Herald-Tribune that Ruffalo read the New York Times story and it inspired him to make the film. But Bilott also shared what made the college he attended, New College of Florida, so unique and special.

Bilott was a student at the small liberal arts honors college from 1983 to 1987. New College of Florida, located in Sarasota offers an untraditional academic setting. The school allows students to explore their own education path, which includes writing and defending a thesis during their fourth year.