1996

Through the Years | Conferences | Presidents | Awards | Stegner Lecture | The Pike

21st NMEA Conference

August 1-5, Durham, New Hampshire (The University of New Hampshire)
Theme: Making Connections...Global Lessons From the Gulf of Maine

Executive Committee

President: Mike Spranger (WA) (1995-96)
President-Elect: Maureen Wilmot (DC)
Membership Secretary: Sharon Walker (MS)
Treasurer: E. Bruce Carlsten (NY)
Secretary: Pam Stryker (TX)
Editor of Current: Nora L. Deans (CA)
Administrative Assistant (National Office): Tina Shoemaker

Board of Directors:

(1993-96): Mark DeCrosta (FL), Rick Tinnin (TX), Joy Wolf (CA)
(1994-97): Roberta Dean (CA), Jeanne Meggison (MN), John Trowbridge (LA)
(1995-98): Linda Maxson, Sharon Meeker (NH), Rob Moir (MA)
(1996-99): John Dindo (AL), Terri Kirby Hathaway (NC), Gene Williamson (OR)

Chapter Representatives:

  • FMSEA (Florida Marine Science Educators Association): Jackie Fletcher (FL)

  • GAME (Georgia Association of Marine Education): Donna Stewart (GA)

  • GLEAMS (Great Lakes Educators of Aquatic and Marine Science): Bill Simpkins (OH)

  • GOMMEA (Gulf of Maine Marine Education Association): Mary Cerullo (ME)

  • MAMEA (Mid-Atlantic Marine Educators Association ): Martha Nichols

  • MME (Massachusetts Marine Educators):Elizabeth Edwards-Cabana (MA)

  • NAME (Northwest Aquatic and Marine Educators): Karen Blyler

  • NJMEA (New Jersey Marine Education Association): Mary Masterson (NJ)

  • NYSMEA (New York State Marine Educators Association): E. Bruce Carlsten (NY)

  • OCEANIA: Ann Coopersmith (HI)

  • SAME (Southern Association of Marine Educators): Sharon Flanagan

  • SCMEA (South Carolina Marine Educators Association): Julie Cliff (SC)

  • SENEME (Southeastern New England Marine Educators): Kathy DeLisle

  • SWMEA (Southwest Marine Educators Association): Diane Sweeney

  • TEAMS (Tennessee Educators of Aquatic and Marine Science): Robyn Dobyns (TN)

  • TMEA (Texas Marine Educators Association): Jack Clason (TX)/ Rick Tinnin (TX)

Awards:

James Centorino Award: Sharon Meeker (NH)
Outstanding Teacher Award: Dana Mitchell (MN)
Marine Education Award: Anita Freudenthal (NY)
President’s Award: Diane Sweeney (CA)
Honorary Member: Sylvia Earle (CA) and Jeff and Deb Sandler (ME)

Conference Highlights

Conference Program

Although the NMEA conference did not technically begin until August 1st, the Board had an overnight retreat and meeting on July 30 and 31st at the Merrowvista Education Center.

The morning of the 1st, there was a “Golf of Maine” 18-hole tournament at Pease Golf Course. Later that day, conference individuals attended a meeting in which they were welcomed, introductions were made, and Richard Wheeler spoke about the important attributes of the Gulf of Maine. This was followed by a President’s Reception and Dr. Sylvia Earle’s Keynote Address.

Most of August 2nd was devoted to outdoor concurrent sessions for ”Watershed Day” at Merrowvista Education Center in the Ossipee Mountains. That evening, conference members enjoyed a cruise and buffet aboard the M/S Mt. Washington on Lake Winnepesaukee.

Additional concurrent sessions and computer, media, art, and vendor exhibits took place on the 3rd and 4th days of the conference. In addition, Dr. John B. Heiser led a general session, there was a Fisheries Forum, a “Taste of the Seacoast Food Bazaar,” the NMEA auction, and an evening at the New England Aquarium in Boston, where NMEA awards were presented.

The last day of the conference brought with it a choice of 16 different field trip destinations, followed by a lobster bake and the Stegner Concert, featuring Schooner Fare.

Additional Highlights of 1996:

In an E-mail letter sent to the NMEA History Chair in 2004, Mike Spranger (President 1995-96) wrote: "A major highlight that occurred under my term as President in 1996 was the establishment of the NMEA National Office, with the hiring of a part-time staff. This was always a major goal of NMEA. We all worked hard to bring NMEA back to a solvent state to allow this to happen. The office was established in Ocean Springs, MS. Dr. Sharon Walker graciously provided office space at the J. L. Scott Marine Education Center and Aquarium. Tina Shoemaker was hired as our first NMEA Administrative Assistant. Since this time, the position has continued, with Johnette Borsarge now doing a terrific job as our NMEA Administrative Assistant."

In 1996, NMEA published two issues of Current: The Journal of Marine Education. The first was titled “The Maury Project: A Unique Partnership in Ocean Education.” This expanded issue of Current was made possible through the efforts of Don McManus of the American Meteorological Society and the United States Naval Academy and David R. Smith of the Naval Academy, who is co-director of the Maury Project. NMEA’s own Jim O’Connor, of the University of the District of Columbia, worked closely with the guest editors and contributed another in his Sea Quiz series. The second issue of Current in 1996 was titled “Coastal Zone Management Act: 25th Anniversary 1972-1997” and was funded by the NOAA’s Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management.