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Date 6-26-06
Contact Linda Skupien 228.872.4273
WITH PHOTO
Ocean Springs—Three students in the summer
marine biology field program at the University of Southern Mississippi’s
Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL) have been awarded scholarships
established by former GCRL students.
Recipients are Samantha Smith, a junior at the University of Mississippi;
Shannon Horengic, a senior at the University of Southern Mississippi;
and Kara Collier, a senior at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
Smith, the daughter of Vincent and Pauline Smith of Ocean Springs,
received a $1,000 scholarship from the Bennie Rohr Summer Field
Program Scholarship Fund. Rohr conducted his graduate research at
the GCRL and is currently a scientist with the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service
in Pascagoula. He established the fund to help Harrison, Hancock
or Jackson County biological sciences majors to attend summer field
classes or conduct independent summer research at GCRL.
Smith is majoring in biology with an emphasis in marine sciences.
This summer she is studying marine mammals and taking a special
topics class with fisheries biologist Harriet Perry, collecting
common estuarine crabs to help produce a guide book.
Smith said GCRL’s summer program “is a unique experience that gives
students an opportunity to do real field work with scientists. It
applies directly to what I plan to do as a marine biologist.”
Horengic and Collier, both biology majors, each received $500 through
the Dr. John R. Sharp Memorial Scholarship. Endowed by former students
of the summer field program, the competitive scholarship is open
to students returning to GCRL for a second year in the program.
“I chose to apply for the scholarship because I have been to GCRL
before and loved every moment of it," Horengic said. “I took
away from that experience a strong friendship with out-of-state
students like myself, excellent hands-on field work and, most of
all, knowing how to work hard to achieve your goals."
Horengic is studying shark biology at GCRL. Her parents are Daniel
and Kathy Horengic of Coal Township, Pa.
Collier is enrolled in shark biology and marine fishes. She is
the daughter of Krista Hines of Altoona, Wis.
The GCRL Summer Field Program “really allows someone like me from
Eau Claire to study in the field instead of just from text books,”
said Collier. “They’ve allowed me the opportunity to pursue my passion
for marine biology, even while living in the middle of the continent.”
She believes “hands-on” field study is what actually helps many
students define their career focus. Collier said she thought she
wanted to focus on mammals, but after she went out into the field,
she realized that it was really fishes that intrigued her.
Dr. Ed Pinero, director of the field program now in its 59th consecutive
year, said the GCRL's two-term program enables students to earn
up to 11 semester hours of college credit during the summer. The
GCRL is part of the university's School of Ocean and Earth Sciences,
College of Science and Technology.
Click to enlarge
Recipients of scholarships for the 2006 marine biology summer field program at the University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Research Laboratory are, from the left, Samantha Smith, junior at the University of Mississippi; Shannon Horengic, senior at the University of Southern Mississippi; and Kara Collier, senior at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. (Photo by Diana Reid)
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