There's always something exciting going on at Williams-Mystic!
Summer 2007
Don't hesitate to stop by Labaree House if you're ever coming through the area!
September 28-30, 2007 - 30th Anniversary Alumni Weekend and Dedication of the Carlton Marine Science Center
If you are interested in hosting a regional gathering of alumni or for more information on any upcoming events, please contact Alumni Relations at 860-572-5359 x1 or alumni@mysticseaport.org.
Spring 2007 Issue (download as Adobe .pdf files)
Director's Notes
24 Hours
Jennifer Lilly S98 was named US Sailing's "US Sailor of the Week" for October 18, 2006. Lilly is a weather forecaster for Sailing Weather Services and travels extensively forecasting for the US Sailing Team and Volvo Ocean Race among others. She recently returned from Qingdao, China to forecast for the US Sailing Team, and will return with them for the Olympics in 2008. After Williams-Mystic and Connecticut College, where she was on the sailing team, Lilly earned a Master's degree in Meteorology from McGill University's Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science. For more information click here.
Williams-Mystic director Jim Carlton, one of the world's foremost experts on marine introduced species, has recently been quoted in several national newspapers:
Williams-Mystic returned to Louisiana on our first field seminar since last fall's devastating hurricanes. We were struck by many scenes: the devastation of barrier islands like Grand Isle, LA and the ruin of so many homes in parts of New Orleans; the virtual absence of tourists in the French Quarter; the amazing amount of sweat equity put into the recovery and clean-up throughout all of Louisiana.
For Fall 2005 we journeyed instead to the Chesapeake Bay. From the first European settlement in 1607 at Jamestown to the watermen and centuries old fisheries of Tangier Island, the area is rich in maritime history, policy, literature and science. Interested in learning a bit more about the region? Check out this book from our reading list: the fantastic Pulitzer Prize winner "Beautiful Swimmers: Watermen, Crabs, and the Chesapeake Bay" by William W. Warner.
Williams-Mystic and Mystic Seaport were recently named in the First Session of the 109th Congress. Mystic Seaport was recognized for its 75 years of great maritime tradition and culture, as the fourth largest history museum in the nation. Mystic Seaport with its Preservation Shipyard was recognized as the 'only museum in the world that can build a large wooden vessel from the keel up and launch it as part of a comprehensive museum experience.' Containing 75,000 maritime artifacts, more than one million photographs, 1.5 million feet of film, and more than 500 vessels representing sail, oar, paddle and engine-powered boats spanning 2 centuries of history, the Museum continues to be a leading authority in maritime history and culture. Williams-Mystic was also cited in the Resolution for its commitment to undergraduate education.
Three young Williams-Mystic alumni were recognized by the Fulbright Commission for their academic merit and leadership potential.
Nat Howe F03 was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to Sweden to study international museum management at Stockholm University and run an independent project studying shipwreck preservation and exhibition at the Vasa Museum. Seth Zeren S04 is teaching English in South Korea. Anne Jurkowski S03 was a finalist for a project studying fisheries in Greece. Sponsored by the U.S. Government, the Fulbright Commission was created to give students the opportunity to "increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries...".
Both Anne and Nat's projects were inspired by their studies at Williams-Mystic. "Off I shall go," Nat says, "carrying the WM reputation to the Baltic." Nat will be working with Fred Hocker S82 as his advisor. Fred is the Head of Research for the Vasa Museum and some of his work was featured in the November/December 2005 issue of Wooden Boat magazine.
Even though Seth's project is not quite maritime related, Seth continues to email us of 'maritime connections' in South Korea. He saw a model of the 'Turtle Ship,' the oldest iron clad warships in the world, and he wandered by the office of Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries which instantly brought memories back of policy class, he writes.
Many of our students go on to thesis and graduate work that had roots at Williams-Mystic. Erin Flannery F03 did her thesis on "Writing Before and After the Mast: Authority and Authenticity in Maritime Narratives." Jill Harris F03 conducted an independent study on the economics of marine fisheries management, which she began examining at Williams-Mystic. Katie O'Donnell, an American Studies major and S03, worked in a lobster aquaculture lab. Anne Jurkowski, a fellow S03, did her thesis on "The Effects of Predation on American Lobster Populations Over Time," research she had partially funded by a Williams-Mystic Carr Fellowship. Eve Southworth S03 and a History and Art major, wrote a thesis entitled "Drunken Sailors and Fallen Women: The New London Whaling Industry and Prostitution, 1820 – 1860." Alex Adams S04 conducted research on antennule flicking rates in the American lobster in response to odor and also conducted a policy case study on a lobster shell disease that is spreading up the coast of New England. Jane McCamant, S04, did an independent study at Williams called "The American Sailor in History and Literature."
