The Importance of Agriculture - University of · PDF fileThe Importance of Agriculture ......

1s o u t h e r n d e l a w a r e

The Importance of Agriculture

Vol. 3 / 2011

s uthernu n I v e r s I t y o f d e l A w A r e

delaware

Research at the Lewes wind turbine

Studying the region’s wild game

A day in the life of R.V. Hugh R. Sharp

www.udel.edu/southerndelaware

Measuring the industry’s impact on the economy of Delaware

2 s o u t h e r n d e l a w a r e

16 Big BusinessAn important study measures the true impact of agriculture on the Delaware economy.

22 Mission: OrganizationGraduate students work to organize the archives of the Laurel Historical Society.

30 70 Years of ServiceCarvel Research and Education Center in Georgetown celebrates a long tradition of serving the agricul-ture industry in Delaware.

36 Restoring BalanceStudents help keep wild turkey and deer population numbers in check.

53 Outdoor LaboratoryUD’s wind turbine provides scientists with varied research opportunities.

56 Crab Cake WarsChefs compete in the Crab Cake Cook-off and Chowder Challenge on Coast Day.

In this issue

3

fe at u re s to r i e s

9 Felton’s Burnham a member of UD’s cheerleading team

10 Adopt-A-Highway cleanup in Lewes

13 Students work alongside Sussex County’s Latino population

15 Coast Day essay and video contest winners

19 Researchers battle lima bean disease

25 Students visit Lewes to explore graduate school opportunities

27 UD partners with the state to mitigate coastal flooding

32 CEOE offers free marine research tours

33 Water quality improvements are observed at the Delaware Estuary

34 Rain gardens help the environment

39 Lifetime learning program in Dover celebrates first year

47 Jack Puleo works to protect theworld’s coastlines

48 Land and Sea series

49 Kids cook at Junior Rockfish Cooking Contest

60 UD offers variety of resources

p o i nt s o f i nte re s t

5 A Letter from thePresident

7 Associate in Arts Program

8 Kent & Sussex Alumni Clubs

11 Osher Lifelong Learning Institute receives gift

12 Osher students explore works of Thornton Wilder

21 UD students plant trees in Milford Neck

35 Jonathan Sharp wins Lifetime Achievement Award

41 Osher Lifelong Learning Day in Lewes

51 Celebrating 20 years of the Delaware Sea Grant water monitoring program

58 34th annual Coast Day

o n t h e c o v e rDale Blessing, fourth generation farmer from Harrington, Delaware, keeps a close eye on the progress of his corn fields near Milford. Dale farms with his mother, Melissa Blessing, and grandfather Clifford Blessing (both of Harrington). Photos by Danielle Quigley

42 A Day in the LifeScientific research goes on around the clock aboard the UD Research Vessel Hugh R. Sharp.

4 5

To our friends in Southern Delaware:♦ ♦ ♦ On July 2, 1862, President Abraham Lin-coln signed the Morrill Act into law, giving fed-eral land to states for the purpose of establishing colleges that would teach agriculture and engi-neering. The Act was designed to open access to higher education; to serve the public with practi-

cal research; and to connect citizens with the knowledge and resources that support family, community and economic development.

In terms of strengthening a young nation’s democracy and prosperity, the Morrill Act remains one of the most important pieces of legislation ever passed. And it was with the Morrill Act that the University of Delaware, then “Dela-ware College,” became one of the country’s first land-grant institutions.

The land-grant mission is alive and well at UD. And nowhere is the mis-sion more evident than in our College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR). In this issue, you’ll find a few of the projects connecting CANR with the people and needs of Southern Delaware:

• Protecting Delaware’s $6-million-a-year lima bean crop from “downy mil-dew,” a disease that caused $3 million in damage in 2000;

• Managing the populations of two of Delaware’s most important game spe-cies: wild turkeys and white-tailed deer;

• Planting trees in Milford Neck to sequester carbon, increase biodiversity and improve the region’s water quality.

CANR’s work is absolutely vital—not just to Southern Delaware, but to the entire First State. A UD report released this spring shows that agriculture—on-farm production, processing and manufacturing, inter-industry linkages—adds $8 billion to the state’s economy, supports 30,000 jobs and accounts for 40 percent of total land use. In recent years, the agricultural industry has seen dra-matic changes in farming science and technology and, therefore, in productiv-ity and yield. It’s also had to meet changing and challenging consumer demand. In this dynamic environment, CANR is making a difference.

Tom Ilvento, chair of CANR’s Department of Food and Resource Econom-ics and co-author of the study on agriculture’s economic impact, says the col-lege’s work is to help farmers find modern solutions to persistent and emerging challenges, and to continually promote the importance of agriculture. That’s the land-grant mission in action.

Sincerely,

Patrick T. HarkerPresident

editors

Managing Editor Neil Thomas

Editors John Brennan Ann Manser

Vice President of Communications & Marketing David Brond

art, design and production

Art Director Christina Jones

Project Manager Daniel Wright

Staff Photographer Kathy Atkinson

advertising

Advertising Manager Eric Nelson

Advertising Sales Nick Biasotto

southern delaware magazine advisory board

Robin Morgan Dean, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Tom Apple Provost

Nancy Targett Dean, College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment

Sherman Townsend UD Board of Trustees

Jackie Wilson Assistant Professor, School of Education

The University of Delaware does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran status, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation in its programs and activities as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Ameri-cans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and University policies. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Re-habilitation Act, and related statutes and regulations: Tom Webb, Director, Office of Disabilities Support Services, 240 Academy Street, Alison Hall Suite 119, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, 302-831-4643. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies and to serve as the overall campus coordinator for purposes of Title IX compliance: Bindu Kolli, Chief Policy Advisor, Of-fice of Equity and Inclusion, 305 Hullihen Hall, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, 302-831-8063. The following individuals have been designated as deputy Title IX coordinators: for Athletics, Jennifer W. Davis, Vice President for Finance and Administration, 220 Hullihen Hall, Univer-sity of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, 302-831-2769; and for Student Life, Dawn Thompson, Dean of Students/AVP for Student Life, 101 Hullihen Hall, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, 302-831-8939. Inqui-ries concerning the application of anti-discrimination laws may be referred to the Title IX coordinators or to the Office for Civil Rights, United States Department of Education. For further information on notice of nondis-crimination, visit http://wdcrobcolp01.ed.gov/CFAPPS/OCR/contactus.cfm for the address and phone number of the U.S. Department of Educa-tion office that serves your area, or call 1-800-421-3481.

www.udel.edu

A p u B L i C AT i O n O f T h e u n i V e R S i T Y O f D e L A W A R e

southerndelaware

7

♦ ♦ ♦ The University of Delaware Associate in Arts Program offers students in Southern Delaware a unique opportunity to jump-start their college degrees. With UD Academic Centers on the Delaware Technical and Community College campuses in Georgetown and Dover, students can choose to enroll in UD courses while staying close to home.

The Associate in Arts Program is designed to give stu-dents the chance to prepare and acclimate themselves to the rigorous demands of a UD bachelor’s degree. Students complete work in small classes and are taught by experienced UD faculty. The students receive aca-demic advising and support throughout their time in the program.

Sharon Tucker, director of the program in Dover, said the Associate in Arts Program “is a great first step toward one’s college career—sort of getting your feet wet in college-level academics.”

She said students typically spend two years working toward the completion of 60 credits and at the same time fulfill core requirements for the bachelor’s degree in many majors offered by the College of Arts and Sci-ences, which allows them “to smoothly transition their education to the Newark campus at the start of their junior year.”

Students from the Associate in Arts program go on to enroll in degree programs in all of the seven colleges at UD.

The program is appealing in many ways. Tuition prices are much lower, possibly even free if students qualify for a SEED (Student Excellence Equals Degree) scholarship. Students can also save on the costs of hous-ing by staying at home and working a part-time job if necessary.

During the fall 2010 semester, the Dover Associate in Arts Program had 148 students and the Georgetown campus had nearly 200 students.

While the program as a whole works to prepare stu-dents for their upcoming academic life on the New-

ark campus, additional programs have been implemented to help students adjust to ev-eryday campus life.

Majors and Minors on Main is a spring semes-ter event for sophomores to meet with different department, major and program advisers, to connect with their de-partment or departments and to explore the options for an educational path for their junior and senior years.

Transitions Day is another event held annually dur-ing the summer. Students and parents are invited to come out for the day to learn about what life is really like on the Newark campus.

Richard Bacon, Georgetown campus director, said the University “takes great care in making the transi-tions as smooth as possible. Each year we have stu-dents come back to talk to current students about life in Newark, because to many Newark can seem like a world away.”

Alexis Short, a graduate from the Georgetown campus, said Transitions Day provided helpful in-formation. “One part of Transitions Day that was helpful was to hear the previous students’ comments on their different campus experiences. The com-ments they made I later found very relevant to situ-ations that my friends and I were going through,” she said.

Starting a new education at any level is oftentimes challenging, however Short said she has made the adjustment. “Now that I’m on my second semester I do enjoy this campus and different clubs that I partici-pate in. I have also enjoyed making new friendships.”


For more information

about UD’s Associate in

Arts Program, visit

www.udel.edu/associate

inarts/index.html

Associate in Arts Program offers jump-start to UD degrees by greta gibboney

s o u t h e r n d e l a w a r e

UD student Alexis Short completed the George-town Associate in Arts program. Photo by Evan Krape

8 u n i v e r s i t y o f d e l a w a r e


Blue Hens unite through the Kent & Sussex Counties Alumni Club by katie mcmullan

♦ ♦ ♦ Whether they are old or young, married or single, employed or still searching, they have one thing in com-mon—the University of Delaware.

Since 2007, University of Delaware alumni in South-ern Delaware have been working hard to bring former Blue Hens back together through the Kent & Sussex Counties Alumni Club.

The club’s president, Shanté Hastings, a 2000 graduate and former president of the UD Alumni Association, said, “Whenever I’m out and about and meet alumni I feel an instant connection with them. Maybe we had a professor in common, or lived in the same dorm, or ate meals in the same dining hall, or were involved in the same student organization … All alumni are connected to each other through UD in one way or another.”

The primary purpose of the organization is to plan events to bring alumni together while also recruiting board members and volunteers. Today’s board consists of Hastings, president, and Paige Doeberl, a 2007 gradu-ate and special events chair. Vacant positions include vice president, young alumni chair and communications chair.

The board hosts round-table meetings to find out the types of events and activities in which alumni are interest-ed in participating. Their expectations for the club’s future, as well as the University of Delaware, are discussed.

One of the club’s most notable accomplishments from the last three years has been the adoption of part of Delaware Seashore Park. Club members clean the area twice a year in the spring and fall by picking up debris and inventorying it for the Delaware Depart-ment of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). Once the cleanup concludes, volunteers

head to a restaurant for refreshments. Last fall, the group was educated after the

cleanup by a representative of the Center for Inland Bays about the region’s precious wa-ter resources. “It’s a wonderful commitment we’ve made to keep our beaches clean so that residents and visitors can continue to enjoy

them,” Hastings said. This year, the cleanup was to be held Satur-day, May 14.

The organization’s most sig-nificant event of the year, how-ever, is UD Day in Dewey. The

event is co-sponsored by the Kent & Sussex and New Castle County alumni clubs, and it gives UD alumni and their families a chance to spend a day together in beautiful Dewey Beach. The event kicks off at the Northbeach Restaurant with appetizers and drinks. From there, Blue Hens have the opportunity to take a trolley ride to the Bottle & Cork to enjoy the well-known Jam Session. From there, attendees can also go to the Rusty Rudder for dinner and entertainment. This year’s UD Day in Dewey is scheduled for July 16.

Additional events throughout the year include happy hour gatherings, pizza night and special events, such as a tour of the Dogfish Head Craft Brewery in the fall.

While the club’s board members work hard to expand their reach, one thing is certain—they have developed a greatly cohesive environment for UD alumni to come together and share wonderful experiences. “I believe hav-ing an organization that can connect alumni to each other helps them network, make new friends and still feel con-nected to the University,” Hastings said.

To learn more about the

Kent & Sussex Counties

Alumni Club, visit

www.uDconnection.com.

Shanté Hastings with UD Alumni Association president Alan Brayman. Photo by Duane Perry

9

“home, for me, will always be felton,” says Peter Burnham, a senior at the Uni-versity of Delaware and member of the nationally ranked UD cheerleading team.

While at the University of Delaware, Burnham majored in health and physical education, earning a bachelor of science degree and participating in Commence-ment in May.

During his time at UD, Burnham has dabbled in rugby, become a member of Delaware Christian Athletes, played a significant role with the UD cheerlead-ing team and pursued academic success earning an overall grade point average that earns Dean’s List honors.

Threecheers!

Felton’s Peter Burnham of UD’s nationally ranked cheerleading teamby kayla codina

Peter Burnham gives a lift to a fellow cheerleader. Photo by Ambre Alexander



“I think being raised in Felton has prepared me in certain ways,” he said. “The list of things to do in a small town is not long and encouraged me to stay open and always try new things. The limited entertainment helps open one’s eyes to what is really important: people, who have molded and shaped me into who I am today.”

Burnham describes himself as, “passionately curious, confident, comfortable and accountable.” Each charac-teristic serves a part of the infrastructure for his success personally, professionally, academically and athletically.

“I have strived to be a positive influence during my time at UD,” he said. “Overall, I have tried to balance my responsibilities with my interests. I have learned so much at UD while in the classroom, but I may have learned even more outside, around campus.”

Burnham competed and performed with the UD cheerleading team for three seasons. “As a male team member, I am expected to perform a number of stunts at events with a female partner,” Burnham said, “Along with stunts, the male members of the team throw bas-kets, tumble and base pyramids.”

Burnham also explained the importance of the team to the crowd itself. “Throughout the school year we ap-pear at many events, developing positive relationships with people in the community,” he said. “We do our best to make sure that we leave everyone we come in contact with in a better mood than we found them.”

The University of Delaware cheerleading team has won national titles and recognition for its achieve-ments. However, when asked what his biggest accom-plishment was as a member, Burnham simply replied, “continuing tradition.”

On the verge of starting the next step in life after college, Burnham reflected on his time at UD. “I feel confident that the University has prepared me as best as possible to become a successful educator,” he said. “As I am from Delaware, I expect to meet fellow alumni for the rest of my life. It’s great to have a common ground when meeting new people.

“Delaware will always be where I call home—the people from both Felton and UD are truly what make each place special to me.”

t h re e c h e e r s

11


UD receives $2 million gift for Osher Lifelong Learning Institute by nora riehl zelluk

♦ ♦ ♦ The University of Delaware has received a $2 million gift from The Bernard Osher Foundation to support statewide lifelong learning programs at UD.

“I thank the Osher Foundation for helping UD ex-pand its lifelong learning programs and connect in a meaningful way with Delaware’s citizens,” said UD President Patrick Harker. “Strong engagement with Del-awareans statewide is one of the University’s principal goals, and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes at UD are critical to cultivating this engagement, and serving the communities we’re so proud to be a part of.”

Founded as the Academies of Lifelong Learning, UD’s lifelong learning programs have been renamed the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Delaware to reflect their affiliation with the national network of Osher lifelong learning organizations. UD’s lifelong learning program on the Wilmington Campus was founded in 1980. The Southern Delaware program was established in Lewes in 1989. The Dover program began offering courses in fall of 2010.

UD’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is offered through the Division of Professional and Continuing Studies.

“With the $2 million endowment gift from the Os-her Foundation, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Delaware can enhance and expand its programs for adults age 50 and above,” said Jim Broomall, assistant provost for professional and con-tinuing studies.

“With the gift from the Osher Foundation and our membership in the Osher Lifelong Learning network,” added Broomall, “we strengthen our commitment as a ‘citizen university’ serving all three Delaware counties.”

“The trustees of The Bernard Osher Foundation are delighted to welcome officially the former Academies of Lifelong Learning at the University of Delaware to the network of Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes,” said Mary Bitterman, president of the foundation. “Given its exceptional performance over 30 years,

UD’s Osher Institute will undoubtedly serve as a model of best practices for the large and diverse group of Osher institutes across the nation. We are grateful to President Harker, Assistant Provost Jim Broomall, and Ruth Flexman, statewide Osher program coor-dinator, for their cooperation throughout the grant-making process.”

Affiliation with the Osher Foundation provides UD’s lifelong learning programs additional financial resources, and identity as a member of a national net-work promoting lifelong learning. With UD, Osher has 118 member organizations, at least one in every state, each with its own unique identity that reflects its community.

Founded by noted businessman and philanthropist Bernard Osher, the Osher Foundation supports lifelong learning pro-grams as part of its mission to improve the quality of life through higher education and the arts.

A gift from The Bernard Osher Foundation is pro-viding lifelong learning opportunities. Photo by Kathy Atkinson


For more on the Osher

Lifelong Learning Insti-

tute at UD, see www.life

longlearning.udel.edu/

The Delaware Department of Transportation says

its Adopt-A-Highway program is “about people car-

ing enough to make a difference.” Volunteers from

the University of Delaware’s

Hugh R. Sharp Campus dem-

onstrated their commitment

to the environment March

22 when they held their first

Adopt-A-Highway cleanup of

Pilottown Road in Lewes.

UD volunteers have adopt-

ed a two-mile stretch of the

road near the campus, which

sits near the mouth of Delaware Bay. As part of the

project, they will take part in at least three cleanups

a year in which they collect litter and debris from

the road.

“A number of us walking or biking that road

noticed a general accumulation of trash so we asked

about adopting the highway,” said Joe Farrell, a

resource management specialist with Delaware Sea

Grant who organized the effort.

For members of the Lewes campus, environmen-

tal stewardship is all in a day’s work. Research taking

place at the complex benefits everything from

water quality to fish populations. Their efforts have

also made the campus itself more environmentally

friendly. It is powered by the clean energy of a wind

turbine and landscaping includes a native plant

garden and recently installed demonstration rain

garden. Keeping a nearby road clean was an obvious

next step, Farrell said.

“The road is adjacent to marshes,” he said. “Those

marshes flood over and the trash gets washed

directly into Canary Creek or Delaware Bay. We think

this will make the area cleaner and nicer for the

people and the environment, including the wildlife

that live here.” — By Elizabeth Boyle

UD volunteers demonstrate environmental commitment

Volunteers clean up a road near the Hugh R. Sharp Campus in Lewes as part of an Adopt-A-Highway project. Photo by Doug White

12 13

in a unique new program that builds on the University of Delaware’s storied history of study abroad and its growing presence as a Citizen University, a small cohort of students immersed themselves in the Latin American culture without ever having to leave the state.

Through “Global at Home: An Alternative Semester Abroad,” 10 students from across the University were en-rolled in anthropology, political science and Latin Ameri-can studies courses taught entirely in Spanish by bilingual professors, as well as a geography course, taught in Eng-lish, that took them to Southern Delaware six times over the course of a semester to get a firsthand account of the social, economic and political issues faced by the many Guatemalan residents of Georgetown.

“A lot of schools have service learning and almost ev-ery school has study abroad, but ‘Global at Home’ is about showing the true international character of Dela-ware,” said UD Latin American Studies Program direc-tor Persephone Braham, who helped establish the in-

augural program. “Families who have been here many years, often doing the ‘invisible work,’ are opening their homes to our students.”

sussex county ‘study abroad’The Latino population of Sussex County has grown

rapidly over the past 20 years, from a few thousand to tens of thousands. Though these migrants come from many different countries, the largest percentage are from Guatemala. Fleeing the violence of civil war there, and attracted to jobs opening up in the poultry indus-try in Southern Delaware, the first wave of Guatemalan immigrants arrived in Georgetown in the late 1980s, many as political refugees. Since the latter 1990s, how-ever, most of the Guatemalan immigrants coming to Delaware have been escaping desperate poverty and seeking opportunities for themselves and their families.

Working alongside April Veness, an associate profes-sor of geography whose ethnographic research centers on

Program matches students with Southern Delaware’s Guatemalan residents by artika rangan

Remi Poindexter, stand-ing, and Omar Duran, in UD shirt, work with students in the library. Photos by April Veness

Locallyglobal

s o u t h e r n d e l a w a r eu n i v e r s i t y o f d e l a w a r e


Lifelong Learning class explores Our Town and beyond by tara white kee

♦ ♦ ♦ A class at the University of Delaware’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute in Lewes this fall got up close and personal with the plays of Thornton Wild-er—in a rich variety of ways.

The class, entitled “Our Thornton Wilder: Novels, Plays and Writings,” set out to discuss the three-time Pulitzer Prize-winning author’s life and writings. Ser-endipitously, the University of Delaware Resident En-semble Players (REP) were also in the process of pro-ducing Our Town, Wilder’s best-known play. The REP, which consists of professional and experienced actors, performs as well as works with students in the theatre graduate training program.

Osher Lifelong Learning course instructors Gary and Margo Ramage contacted Sanford Robbins, UD De-partment of Theatre chair, and the result was a vastly enriched class. Robbins arranged for theatre professor Jewel Walker to come to Lewes as a guest lecturer for

one of the classes. Walker, though he re-cently retired from the University, returned to direct Our Town and also played the part of the Stage Manager in the play. Walker is a nationally renowned movement and acting teacher and was an instructor in the University of Delaware’s Professional The-atre Training Program (PTTP) for more than 25 years. He was named UD’s Edward F. and Elizabeth Goodman Rosenberg Pro-fessor of Theatre.

In addition, the Lewes class traveled to Newark to see the play where they were treated to a prologue by REP dramaturge Richard Davison.

The Ramages got the REP involved in their classes last year as well, beginning a win-win relationship, according to Gary Ramage. “We had two sets of actors come down and participate in previous classes,” he said. “The first was so well received that

for the second visit, we moved the class to a large au-ditorium and opened it up to everyone in the Osher Lifelong Learning program.”

The actors’ visits to the class enriched the learning experience, and the REP gained many enthusiastic new audience members. Of Jewel Walker’s visit, Ramage said, “Jewel was simultaneously directing the play and performing the part of the Stage Manager. As a direc-tor, he had a broader and more comprehensive view of the play than he might have had if he had only been acting in it. He also gave samples of dialog and exam-ples of the flow of the play by ingeniously slipping in and out of his Stage Manager character.”

The Thornton Wilder experience was enriched even more for the Osher class. In doing their research for the class, the Ramages discovered the Thornton Wilder So-ciety, and through them made contact with Thornton Wilder’s nephew, Tappan Wilder. Gary Ramage said, “Tappan was very agreeable to setting up a Skype ses-sion with the class, a first for us.”

“Jewel Walker’s visit, our trip to the theatre and our Skype session with Tappan Wilder all really enriched the class’s appreciation for Thornton Wilder as a play-wright and an author,” Ramage said.

The Osher Lifelong

Learning Institute at the

University of Delaware

in Lewes (formerly the

Southern Delaware Acad-

emy of Lifelong Learning)

is a membership organi-

zation for adults 50 and

over to enjoy classes,

teach, exchange ideas

and travel together. For

more information, visit

www.lifelonglearning.

udel.edu/lewes.

Members of an Osher Lifelong Learning Institute class had an enriching experience working with the Resident Ensemble Players program at UD. Photo by Paul Cerro

14 15s o u t h e r n d e l a w a r eu n i v e r s i t y o f d e l a w a r e

how the Guatemalan immigrant community of South-ern Delaware is defining and creating home, the “Global at Home” students participated in service-learning proj-ects and homestay weekends to learn about the concerns

and experiences of Latino resi-dents and the impact of “Latini-zation” on the small towns here.

Their service-learning proj-

ects were sponsored by a variety of community partners, and the students were placed in one of three agencies, where their du-ties included: creating multime-dia “Stories of Home” with the

Latino children from North Georgetown Elementary School who attend at an afterschool program at La Casi-ta/First State Community Action Agency, collecting and translating information for clients at the Murphy Immi-gration Law firm, and working with adult Latino stu-dents from La Esperanza who are practicing their Eng-lish language and computer skills with resources made available to them at the Georgetown Public Library.

Through “Global at Home,” the students also spent three weekends with the families. UD reciprocated the hospitality, inviting the families to spend a day in May on the main campus in Newark.

The students noted recurring themes amongst their host families—language barriers for the parents, Amer-icanization in the children and a persistent sense of liv-ing out of two worlds.

This was clearly illustrated for senior Katie LaFleur, an international relations major from Cherry Hill, N.J., when the family dined at Dominos.

“Here we are in this quintessentially American pizza place, huddled together deciding what to eat, and after we picked our toppings, the mother, who speaks no English, hands her son the money to order it all instead of doing it herself,” she recalled. “It was a bit of a culture shock for me,” added LaFleur, who studied abroad in Spain but views her experience in Southern Delaware as “more per-sonal because I’m building a relationship with the family.”

And that, said Veness, is the hope for the students, “to actively contribute to these households through friendship.”

the classroom component In addition to their experiences in Southern Delaware,

the “Global at Home” students were enrolled in three courses on the main campus, taught entirely in Spanish:

Grupos y Culturas de América Latina, taught by anthro-pology professor Carla Guerrón Montero; Problemas de Política de América Latina, taught by political science and international relations professor Julio Carrión; and Cul-turas y Civilizaciones Latinoamericanas, taught by Braham.

The courses, open to the larger University commu-nity, were filled to capacity with students on the wait list before the semester even began.

“Our goal was to produce a cultural and linguistic im-mersion experience without taking students abroad,” said Braham, “and the student demand has been terrific.”

The enthusiasm was apparent in the faculty, as well. For example, Guerrón Montero designed an on-campus

service project in which her 20 anthropology students pre-pared a radio program on one of five topics—migration, gender, race, politics or human rights—to air on the Span-ish program, “Latinismo,” on UD radio station WVUD-FM. The assignment required students to write the script, select the music and run the program in Spanish.

In addition to their coursework, all “Global at Home” students participated in excursions, such as a day trip to New York, where they visited the Museo del Barrio and watched the Spanish play La vida en los Esclavos Unidos (Life in the United Slaves). They also attended a conference on Latino issues.

expanding ‘global at home’ Marion Bernard-Amos, former assistant director of the

Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures’ study abroad program and current program coordinator for the Confucius Institute, developed the idea for “Global at Home” as a way to build a learning community in the state.

l o c a l l y g l o b a l

“A partnership built around mentorship, friend-ship, interpretation of foreign languages, socio-cultural norms and advocacy can lead to positive outcomes for all, from the UD students who wish to perfect their Spanish and gain a better understanding of Latino is-sues, to the immigrant families who wish to strengthen their ties to the Anglo community, to the statewide or-ganizations that wish to assist Latino families in their efforts to be more active members of society,” she said.

Bernard-Amos said she hopes to expand this concept of an alternative study abroad program to other populations in Delaware, such as working with the Confucius Institute to build ties with the Chinese community in Hockessin or partnering with the African Studies Program to link stu-

dents with the burgeoning Kenyan population in Bear.“The state of Delaware is an eclectic mix of people,

and we want to find a way of contributing to this di-versity,” she said. “We see this as an opportunity to add value to the programs at UD while building on our efforts to engage locally and globally.”

“Global at Home” is run by the Latin American Stud-ies Program. It is funded by the Interdisciplinary Human-ities Research Center; Offices of the Dean in the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment; Office of Service Learning; Institute for Global Studies; and the departments of Anthropol-ogy, Foreign Languages and Literatures, Geography, and Political Science and International Relations.

“A lot of schools have service learning and almost every

school has study abroad, but ‘Global at Home’ is about

showing the true international character of Delaware.”

— Persephone Braham, UD Latin American Studies Program director

Emily Bange, right, with schoolchildren in Georgetown.

CEOE Dean Nancy Targett with Coast Day Essay Contest winners (from left) Emily Cook, first place; Matthew Lash-brook, third place; and Callie Freda, honorable mention. Photo by Lisa Tossey

An important part of Coast Day are essay and

video contests, in which school kids get a chance

to write and produce short films about issues of

importance to Southern Delaware.

Sponsored by the College of Earth, Ocean, and

Environment (CEOE) and the Delaware Sea Grant

College Program, Coast Day highlights the state’s

coastal resources. With that in mind, both contests

in 2010 asked students to reflect on the theme,

“Making the Most of Our Coast.”

Emily Cook, a student in Bonnie Reidy’s class at

William Henry Middle School in Dover, took first

prize in the fifth-grade essay contest as she wrote

about Cape Henlopen Beach and ways to protect

it for future generations.

“Since adults don’t seem to be solving the prob-

lem, maybe children can,” she wrote. “Our first step

would be to educate ourselves and then other

kids about pollution.”

Taking second place was Nick Outten, a student

in Tanya Mock’s class at East Millsboro Elementary

School. Third place went to Matthew Lashbrook, of

Peter Metrinko’s class at Brandywine Springs School.

Three honorable mention essayists also were rec-

ognized: East Millsboro’s

Madison Baker and Cam-

eron Hall, both in Karen

Saylor’s class, and Callie

Freda, of Marilyn Vallego’s

class at St. Ann School in

Wilmington.

In the high school

video contest, now in its

second year, students were asked to produce vid-

eos under two minutes. A group of students from

Caesar Rodney High School in Camden earned top

prize for their submission, “One Person Makes a

Change, A Lot of People Make an Impact.”

Under the direction of teacher Mary Stokes, the

winning students were: Jarid Keen, James Clough,

Nick Burkhardt, Tequan Pitts, Abigail Hall, Jessica

Hansen, Alex Cox, Ashley Jones, Bradley Schepens,

Ashlee Loera, Harry Simon and Simon Geddie.

Second place in that competition was awarded

to Jennie Elliott, under the direction of Paris

Crockett at Caesar Rodney High School, and third

went to Amanda Bilow and Ashton Dummitt, also

Crockett’s students. —By Elizabeth Boyle

Essayists, vid kids honored

View the Caesar Rodney High

School video at Delaware Sea

Grant’s YouTube channel


BIGBUSINESS

A new study measures the impact of agriculture on Delaware’s economy

agriculture is an $8 billion industry in delaware, according to a recent study published by the Department of Food and Resource Economics in the University of Delaware’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

The study—conducted by UD faculty members Ti-tus Awokuse and Tom Ilvento, with help from graduate student Zachary Johnston—used input-output analysis, taking into account the market value of products sold from on-farm production, revenue from processing and manufacturing of agricultural products, and inter-indus-try linkages to determine the value added to the economy.

A study of this magnitude had not been conducted since the early 1980s. According to the authors, this new report is much more accurate in its calculations for the true impact of agriculture in Delaware.

Historically, $1.1 billion has been the most commonly cited number for the impact of agriculture in Delaware. “But this is the total market value of agricultural products sold at the farm level, just a small piece of the picture,” according to Awokuse, associate professor and director of graduate studies for food and resource economics.

The new report shows that the processing of farm products adds a previously unaccounted for $3.8 bil-lion. Forestry production and processing add an ad-ditional $831 million, with agriculture-related services (i.e., crop dusting, ditch digging) adding $28 million.

The research project was commissioned by Robin Mor-gan, dean of the college. “This study was needed because the impact of agriculture in Delaware is much larger than farm receipts and (the impact) should account for process-ing of agricultural products. Agriculture is a large and vital part of Delaware’s economy, and our understanding of its impact needs to be as accurate as possible,” said Morgan.

In addition to the total industry impact, the report provides separate results by county and for several key agricultural commodities: poultry, dairy, fruits and veg-etables, corn, soybeans, wheat, greenhouse, nursery and horticultural products.

With Delaware’s long history of poultry production, it was no surprise to the authors that the majority of the economic value of agriculture comes from the pro-duction and processing of poultry products, with an industry output of $3.2 billion and over 13,000 jobs.

The report also provides a summary of statistics relative to the changing face of agriculture in Delaware, noting there are fewer farms in Delaware, but the size and pro-ductivity of farming operations has increased over time.

Awokuse noted that this trend is in large part because “both technological and biological innovations within agriculture now allow a single operator to be more pro-ductive and maintain a larger operation, hence the con-solidation of farms across the state.”

And, according to the authors, the state of Delaware agriculture will continue to change.

“Farmers are being asked to produce more on less and less acreage and they turn to science and technol-ogy to make that happen. Agriculture is a modern, ef-ficient, technologically advanced industry, even if the image is still rooted in a 19th century image of farm-ing,” said Ilvento, professor and chair of the Depart-ment of Food and Resource Economics. “Changing that image, assisting farmers to find modern solutions and promoting the importance of agriculture—that’s what our college is all about.”

The report was presented to Gov. Jack Markell and Del-aware Secretary of Agriculture Ed Kee by UD President Patrick Harker and Morgan during a ceremony March 23 on the Newark campus. “Farming and related agri-busi-ness generate tens of thousands of jobs and my job is to help keep our agriculture industry strong and growing,” said Markell, with Kee noting that the study is important not only because it provides new data and information, but also because “behind every statistic, behind every piece of data, is a person.” He thanked those involved in the study for “capturing that human story by capturing the value of the industry.”

17

Agriculture plays a major role in Delaware’s economy. Photos by Danielle Quigley


The report can

be viewed online

at ag.udel.edu/

deagimpact/index.

html.

18 19

a diverse team of plant scientists in the uni-versity of Delaware’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources is working together to battle downy mildew, a potentially devastating disease that strikes lima beans, one of Delaware’s most important vegetable crops.

Tom Evans, professor of plant pathology in the Depart-ment of Plant and Soil Sciences, and many graduate stu-dents have studied downy mildew over the past 15 years.

Evans said lima beans are vital to agriculture in Dela-ware and are “the cornerstone of the state’s processing vegetable industry.”

Approximately 6,000 hectares of baby lima beans are grown annually, with a farm value of over $6 million.

Downy mildew, caused by the fungus-like organism Phytophthora phaseoli, is prevalent in Delaware be-cause it thrives in humid conditions, and lima beans are grown on small, dense acreage.

Evans said that most lima bean growers are concen-trated in close proximity from Dover to Georgetown and from the Delaware Bay west into Maryland, so

wind-driven rain makes it easier for the pathogen’s spo-rangia to move from one lima bean field to another.

That was the case in 2000, when downy mildew caused $3 million damage in what Evans called “the largest downy mildew of lima bean epidemic ever recorded.”

Two factors contributing to this epidemic were the emergence of a new race of the pathogen, Race F, which overcame the genetic resistance of lima cultivars being grown, and frequent wind-driven rain that spread the pathogen’s sporangia.

With the emergence of Race F, growers could no lon-ger rely on downy mildew resistant lima bean cultivars to prevent the disease, as they had in the past. New cultivars with resistance to Race F need to be developed and in the meantime growers have relied upon fungi-cides to manage the disease.

Bob Mulrooney, UD Cooperative Extension special-ist in plant pathology, has tested fungicides for effec-tiveness against downy mildew for a number of years and has identified new more environmentally friendly

Researchers battle lima bean disease ‘downy mildew’ by adam thomas


Benefitingbeans

Through cooperative efforts, UD is working to maintain the health of the lima bean. Photos by Danielle Quigley

u n i v e r s i t y o f d e l a w a r e20

chemicals which offer good control. Mulrooney’s re-search results are the basis for growers’ current downy mildew management practices.

Evans and his group have been responsible for study-ing the biology of the pathogen, monitoring the evolu-tion of new races of the pathogen and the epidemiology of the disease.

Extension associate Nancy Gregory diagnoses the disease on samples sent in by growers, maintains the

pathogen in culture for field and greenhouse experi-ments, and determines their races.

Emmalea Ernest, an extension associate at the Carvel Research and Education Center in Georgetown, breeds lima bean for desirable traits, such as disease and drought resistance, and is developing cultivars for Dela-ware farmers. Ernest and Evans work together screen-ing lima bean germplasm from around the world for resistance to races E and F of P. phaseoli.

Ernest has conducted experiments to determine how the resistance genes are inherited. After making crosses between resistant parents followed by several years of field screening, Evans and Ernest plan to test lima bean lines with resistance to both races this summer.

Nicole Donofrio, assistant professor of plant and

soil sciences, is responsible for the pathogen side of the study, trying to understand the pathogen’s virulence mechanisms, and how it evolves to attack certain as-pects of the plant. Donofrio said, “In order to fight the disease, you have to know your enemy, and the more you know your enemy, the more equipped you are to tackle it when things like a new race emerge.”

Knowing exactly how to fight against the disease from a pathogen standpoint is difficult. Donofrio points out

that P. phaseoli has over 500 ef-fector genes, molecules that bind to a protein altering its activity and enabling infection. To study effectors, Donofrio and doctoral student Sridhara Kunjeti took a two-pronged approach.

First, they took what they knew about P. infestans, the pathogen responsible for the Irish potato famine and a close relative of P. phaseoli, and searched for similar genes in P. phaseoli to determine if it used similar mechanisms in its attack on lima bean.

Next, they looked at lima beans that had been infected for three and six days to see which effectors were active during those time-points of

infection. Donofrio said this could lead to a breakthrough because if they are able to characterize the effector genes, they can look for traits that could be a countermeasure to pathogen attack and thereby block pathogenesis.

Randy Wisser, assistant professor of plant and soil sciences, works on aspects of quantitative genetics and plant breeding and Blake Meyers, Edward F. and Eliza-beth Goodman Rosenberg Professor and chair of the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, works on ge-nomics of lima bean-downy mildew interactions.

In various combinations, the research team has re-ceived more than $200,000 from various College of Agriculture and Natural Resources seed grants and Delaware state grants to more fully explore P. phaseoli and downy mildew.

b e n e f i t i n g b e a n s

From left, Sridhara Gupta Kunjeti, Nancy Gregory, Nicole Donofrio and Tom Evans.

UD students hard at work planting trees in Milford Neck. Photos by Brian G. Peters/The Nature Conservancy

“In order to fight the disease, you have to know your enemy, and the more

you know your enemy, the more equipped you are to tackle it when things

like a new race emerge.” — Nicole Donofrio, assistant professor of plant and soil sciences

21s o u t h e r n d e l a w a r e

♦ ♦ ♦ University of Delaware Professor Kent Messer and his students have started a project that aims to plant more than 55,000 trees over a 60-acre plot of land in Milford Neck—work that will result in the seques-tration of an estimated 17,500 tons of carbon.

The team planted 5,000 trees during the initial week-end in mid-April and, in addition to carbon sequestra-tion, Messer said the trees will provide direct benefits for biodiversity and water quality in the region.

Messer, assistant professor of food and resource eco-nomics in UD’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, jumped at the opportunity to have his stu-dents gain valuable hands-on sustainable development experience while also providing a beneficial service to the environment.

“I want my students to not only learn in the class-room, but also to get involved with environmental projects in the local community and region,” he said.

The Nature Conservancy, a conservation organiza-tion aimed at protecting ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people, is leading the proj-ect, with Astra Zeneca partnering. Additional funds are coming from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), the first market-based regulatory program in the United States to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Katherine Hackett, executive director of Delaware Wild Lands who was formerly with the Nature Conser-vancy, wrote the grant proposal for the project and said that because Delaware is part of RGGI, and because the Nature Conservancy is generally interested in reforest-ing properties, it made sense to combine the two goals.

“The state has a grant program to reduce carbon, the Nature Conservancy wanted to grow trees to improve ecosystem health, so it was a wonderful, natural mar-riage,” she said.

As far as carbon sequestration goes, Hackett ex-plained that trees are well equipped for the job.

“When a tree grows, it sequesters carbon,” she said. “The carbon comes out of the atmosphere and is used

by the tree to generate fiber. As it grows, the tree is sucking out carbon from the air and soil, so it’s seques-tering carbon and removing it from the environment.”

The group will plant the trees in traditional rows, as well as in what they refer to as “habitat islands.”

Hackett explained that the trees’ vulnerability played a big role in the decision to use habitat islands, as did the fact that the group can plant fewer trees but still expect quicker and more effective reforestation.

“Little trees are vulnerable. They are susceptible to drought and flooding, deer over-browsing, so the Na-ture Conservancy will do some of the typical planting a row of trees, but will continue with some pioneering replanting methods called habitat islands,” she said.

The idea behind habitat islands is that instead of plant-ing lots of small trees in rows, larger trees are purchased and those trees are planted in clumps around the property.

Messer said the Nature Conservancy and other groups have already had a great amount of success with habitat islands.

“I am impressed by the results of the Nature Conser-vancy’s habitat islands for restoring the health of forests and carbon sequestration,” he said. “By planting more mature trees in clusters, the result is faster reforestation overall.”

Messer said he is thrilled with the many beneficial as-pects of the project, including the environmental ben-efit for the public, the learning aspect for the UD stu-dents and the fact that it will help offset climate change for future generations.


UD students plant trees to sequester carbon by adam thomas


last year, norma jean fowler, then president of the Laurel Historical Society, inventoried 259 items in the society’s collection, labeling each and recording its description and the history of how it came to the soci-ety—a process museum professionals call accessioning.

This year, during eight days in January, a group of graduate students from the University of Delaware’s Museum Studies program accessioned more than 400 items in the same collection.

Working under a grant from the Institute of Mu-seum and Library Services awarded to the Delaware Division of Libraries, ten students, a professor and an independent consultant not only gave the small his-torical society a big head start on better organizing and preserving its collections, but they also set the stage for similar efforts at other such organizations.

In Laurel, the goal is to create a complete electronic inventory of the collection, so that researchers and

Mission:

Laurel Historical Society gets boost from UD grad students by ann manser

the community can use that database to find what they need.

“We’ve been trying to improve our record-keeping, and we were making progress slowly but surely, but these students have given us a real jump start, and we couldn’t be more grateful for the help,” Fowler said on the final day of the project. “They’ve given us a great foundation to build on, and they’ve even found things

that we didn’t know we had. This will enable us to capture and document the stories behind the objects.”

Established 30 years ago, the historical society didn’t have a home for the first 20 of those years, in-stead moving its collection from one storage space to another. Now located in the historic Cook House on Market Street in the town’s historic district, it relies on dedicated volunteers and is open to the public only

UD graduate students at the Cook House in Laurel on the final day of the project. Photos by John Manser

“There is no substitute for handling collections and for making decisions in a

setting where the constraints are real: limited time, funds and space.”

— Katherine C. Grier, professor of history and director of the Museum Studies program

Organızatıon


on a limited basis in the summer months, although Fowler said she’d love to see expanded hours in the future.

The society’s collections are extensive and varied, from hand-made flapper-era dresses to old balance sheets from the town’s bank to peach baskets used by the local fruit-packing plant. All the objects reflect the history of a town that was once the third-largest mu-nicipality in the state and today boasts 800 homes on the National Historic Register.

“We found that the collection gave a real sense of what life was like in Laurel in the past,” said Kather-ine C. Grier, professor of history and director of the Museum Studies program, who oversaw the students’ work. “The thing that was so great about this inven-

tory demonstration project is that it was a ‘blitz.’ We called ourselves the ‘Inventory SWAT team’ because of how much we did in just eight days.”

The students, all pursuing master’s or doctoral de-grees in history, performed a variety of tasks. Those included sorting the items in the museum’s clothing collection, making cloth labels for the pieces that were able to be preserved and hand-sewing the labels onto an unobtrusive spot on each garment.

“We worked with more than 100 pieces of clothing and accessories that we determined could be displayed,” student Retz Monroe said. “Most were from the late 1800s or early 1900s, and all of them were local—ei-ther homemade by Laurel residents or sold in Laurel stores. There were party dresses, a two-piece men’s bath-ing suit, lots of hats … just so much variety.”

Members of the “SWAT team” who worked with

old records from what was formerly the People’s Na-tional Bank of Laurel found mold on many of the books. They donned respirators and used a special vacuum cleaner outfitted with cheesecloth to remove the dried mold.

“I’ve never done a museum internship before, so I didn’t know what to expect, but I probably never would have expected to be vacuuming mold,” student Kevin Impellizeri said. “But it was a great experience. It’s good to really understand the nuts and bolts of the process.”

Grier said the jobs were organized to give each stu-dent as much variety as possible. “It can be difficult to for students to get hands-on experiences in collec-tions, and this project is providing a lot of them!” she

wrote on the blog for the project. “There is no substi-tute for handling collections and for making decisions in a setting where the constraints are real: limited time, funds and space.”

The grant that funded the project came about after a national study found that 80 percent of small muse-ums lack systematic records of their collections, which are in danger of falling into disrepair. The Laurel proj-ect, which will enable the historical society to enter its inventory into a database called PastPerfect, can serve as a demonstration of one way in which other small organizations could begin to better organize and preserve their holdings, Grier said.

During spring semester, another group of muse-um studies students, working under the same grant, helped organize the archives at Auburn Heights Pre-serve, a new state park in Yorklyn, Del.

Measuring and labeling peach baskets, made in Laurel by the Marvel Package Co. Right, an interior room.

m i s s i o n: o rg a n i z at i o n

for morgan state university rising senior carlos Murray, attending graduate school was nothing more than a faint idea. Applying for a provisional patent on an in-vention he helped create was even further from his mind. That all changed after the computer science major par-ticipated in the 2010 Educational Advancement Alliance/University of Delaware Graduate Preparatory Program.

“I had never really discovered the desire that I have for research until I went through this program,” he said, explaining that his sights are now set on graduate school. “Now I understand what research really is.”

Murray was one of 26 participants in the four-week summer program on the UD campus, which is in its second year and is aimed at giving students from His-torically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and

other institutions the tools they need to apply for and be successful in graduate school.

The program is funded by a $213,000 grant from the National Nuclear Security Administration and the Educa-tional Advancement Alliance (EAA). EAA is a nonprofit organization that provides programs to supplement and enrich the educational environment and experiences of students in the School District of Philadelphia and beyond.

The organization’s focus areas are science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). “The program design focuses on creating an immersion situation that is similar to the experiences that a first-year master’s stu-dent might have—both with class structure and outside class activities—so that when participants get to grad school they know more of what to expect,” said Michael

perspectivesBroaderLewes visit highlights graduate opportunities by elizabeth boyle

Students meet with Bill Byam, UD director of marine operations. Photo by Lisa Tossey


Vaughan, senior assistant dean in UD’s College of Engi-neering and program principal investigator.

Organized by the College of Engineering, the pro-gram put students through a rigorous schedule. They took courses in calculus and chemistry and biochem-istry, as well as modules in graduate prep, technical writing, professional etiquette and career exploration. They also participated in STEM research team projects, which culminated in their producing PowerPoint pre-sentations and writing research proposals articulating what they had learned.

a deep-sea invention

It was through the team project that Murray and his collaborators, biology majors Brianna Hayes, a rising junior at Lincoln University in Missouri, and Danielle Johnson, a rising sophomore at Howard University, found their names on a provisional patent.

The group’s topic was hydrothermal vents, and it ignit-ed their imaginations. They realized that the chemical en-ergy of the deep-sea geysers’ super hot, mineral-rich water could be harnessed to power research on the gushers.

At the urging of Karl Booksh, professor in UD’s De-partment of Chemistry and Biochemistry who taught the chemistry and biochemistry course module, the group determined a way to use the vents’ chemical re-actions much like a battery by placing electrodes inside and near the fissures.

“There’s so much interest in understanding these vents, and my experience with them is that they’re limited by long-term studies,” said Booksh, who has worked on deep-sea vents before and explained that the size and weight of power sources being used now is a real limitation for researchers.

The new source of power would give scientists a way to put sensors at the vents for long periods of time, al-lowing them to study changes in the unique deep-sea ecosystem that thrives there.

Booksh worked with UD’s Technology Transfer Center in the Office of Economic Innovation and Partnerships to prepare the patent documents. In addition to Booksh and the students, they include three other project collaborators from UD: Maxwell P. and Mildred H. Harrington Professor of

Marine Studies George Luther as well as Yoon-Chang Yin and Nicola Menegazzo, researchers in the Depart-ment of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

Sending congratulations to the students after hear-ing the news was Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-Pa.), whose annual Fattah Conference on Higher Education in Philadelphia is organized by EAA and attended by many of the students in the UD summer program.

“I’ve always recognized the exceptional talent of these young people and said that what we need to do is ex-pose them to stimulating situations like this,” Fattah said. “This is an extraordinary example of what can follow.”

sky is the limit While unanticipated, the patent served to reinforce

something the program was intended to do: provide the students with broader perspectives on what their futures could hold.

A weekend retreat to the College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment’s Hugh R. Sharp Campus in Lewes, for example, provided program overviews and high-lighted the many career paths available to STEM stu-dents beyond traditional careers.

In a retreat module planned by Charles Epifanio, in-terim director of the School of Marine Science and Poli-cy, students toured UD’s 146-foot Research Vessel Hugh R. Sharp, learned all about the campus’ Global Visualiza-tion Lab, heard career advice from faculty members and participated in a dolphin-watching cruise.

Vaughan emphasized that implementing a program like this requires collaboration and coordination. It is a multidisciplinary STEM-based effort, with contribu-tions by three UD colleges—Arts and Sciences; Earth, Ocean, and Environment; and Engineering—as well as the McNair Program. In addition, over 10 Campus STEM departments participated in the program semi-nar series to brief the program participants on gradu-ate-level opportunities within their various disciplines.

Listening to the students, it was clear the program had them pointed in the right direction. “I really appreciate having this opportunity because it made me think of oth-er things to do than just med school and dental school,” said Breaunnah Bloomer, a Howard University rising sophomore. “It was more than just an educational experi-ence. It was a life experience, I think for all of us.”

b ro a d e r p e r s p e c t i ve s

“I really appreciate having this opportunity because it made me think of other

things to do than just med school and dental school.” — Breaunnah Bloomer

27

living along the southern coast of delaware definitely has its perks. Fishing, beaches and cool bay breezes can make for an idyllic way of life. But mem-bers of the Kent County community can tell you that living by the water is not always a carefree existence.

On Mother’s Day in 2008, the Delaware Bay coast of Kent County suffered a serious coastal flooding event. One person died and at least 150 residents were evacuated from their homes. Cost estimates of the damage ranged from $1–2 million. Not only were community members unprepared for the event, but emergency management of-ficials had no accurate gauge as to how serious the flooding would be, and thus their response was delayed.

The aftereffects of the Mother’s Day flood left citi-zens and emergency management officials alike won-dering if there was a better way to plan for these types of events. Two state agencies, the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) and the Delaware De-

partment of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), collaborated with the University of Delaware and the Delaware Geological Survey (DGS) and found an answer in the Delaware Environmental Observing System (DEOS).

Led by professors David R. Legates and Daniel J. Leathers from the Department of Geography, DEOS was created in 2003 as a real-time, regional monitoring system that provides data on weather conditions, wa-ter levels, snow depth and various other environmental factors obtained from automated weather stations in and around the state.

Bob Scarborough, senior scientist for DNREC’s Delaware Coastal Programs section, calls the collabo-ration between the state and the University “critical” for the success of the system.

“The University has the expertise and experience to develop the system, while the state has the data avail-


Flooding is a major problem for communities in Southern Delaware. Photo courtesy Kevin Snyder, The News Journal

Early


on UD’s College of

Engineering, visit

www.engr.udel.edu

UD, state work together to mitigate coastal flooding by kate sadowski

warning


able to validate the information, as well as the outreach connections to insure that critical users are familiar with the system and know how to access it,” he says.

The coastal flood monitoring system was established primarily for emergency personnel in Kent County as an early warning system for coastal flooding events. John A. Callahan, a research associate for DGS, and Kevin Brinson, a researcher for DEOS, launched a proto type forecast notification system and website dis-playing pertinent information regarding local water levels. DNREC and the Delaware EPSCoR program provided funding for the project.

According to Brinson, “The system obtains information from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Na-tional Weather Service and then applies that information in a graphical format to estimate or predict when flooding can potentially occur in Kent County communities.”

The website allows users to choose from six different locations in Kent County: Leipsic, Little Creek, Pickering Beach, Kitts Hum-mock, Bowers Beach and Slaughter Beach. Emergency management officials or private land owners are able to view the website and get specific information about current and forecasted water levels in their area.

“Something that is also nice about the site is you can change the transparency of the flood data overlay to give you a better look of where those potential flood issues are on the street map or satellite view,” says Callahan.

Also available on the site is a graph of forecasted water levels up to four days in advance, including the

maximum forecasted water level in that time period. This can be helpful to emergency management officials if they know that certain communities will be flooded at a particular water level.

In connection with the tide graph and inundation maps are road elevation profiles. These profiles allows users to view potential flooding points along the main roads or evacuation routes of their communities.

Perhaps one of the most important and useful fea-tures of the system is its ability to send emergency man-agement personnel an email or text message warning them of a potential flood in their community.

“That email will tell them that at sometime in the next four days the water levels at this location will reach or exceed a certain level,” explains Callahan. “In that email or text message, it will state the forecasted water level and time it might occur. It will also direct them to this website and encourage them to start preparations for a potential flooding situation. The website is meant only for guidance, not to remove emergency managers from the equation.”

This feature, in particular, may help emergency man-agement officials and community members alike be more prepared for coastal flooding events, giving people a chance to protect their property and possibly saving lives.

The future looks bright for the coastal flood monitor-ing system, as Kent County emergency officials will soon undergo more detailed, for-mal training regarding the system. Although it’s still in the beginning stages, DGS and DEOS have received further funding from DN-REC to expand the system along the coast north to the city of New Castle and south to the city of Lewes.

DNREC believes that the newest phase of this project will be just as successful as the initial, due to similar coastal geography. Accord-ing to Scarborough, future plans also include further expansion into the Inland Bays area of Sussex County and into the northwestern Piedmont area of New Cas-tle County. Though the hilly topography of northern Delaware will create a whole new set of complications and necessitate upgrades to the system, the state and the University have proven that together they can come up with innovative solutions.

e a r l y wa r n i n g

John Callahan, left, and Kevin Brinson. Inset, a Coastal Flood Monitoring System website. Photo by Evan Krape

30 31s o u t h e r n d e l a w a r e

Those traveling along Southern Delaware’s scenic roads will soon encounter long, gate-like structures that stretch across lush fields of corn, soybean and other First State crops. Center pivot irrigation systems are an integral part of Delaware’s agricultural panorama, the lifeblood for crops when weather does not deliver desired results.

An 11-year veteran in agricultural engineering, James Adkins’ new position as associate research scientist in irri-gation resulted from a strong need for irrigation resources and education. Adkins estimates that approximately 125,000 acres of Delaware farmland use center pivot systems. Unlike private residential sprinkler systems that operate by timer at regular intervals, a Delaware farmer must know both when and how to apply irrigation. Ad-kins provides the education through Extension work-

shops and grower site instruction on system calibration, irrigation scheduling, management and instructions on how water may move through various soil profiles. Part-nering with Cory Whaley, Sussex County agriculture agent, they provide in-depth reviews of high-tech mois-ture sensor equipment that are available to growers.

“How we use water matters,” said Adkins. “We are looking to improve irrigation efficiency.” Adkins says that too much irrigation can adversely influence crop yields and waste water. Likewise, too little irrigation re-duces yields and can concentrate nutrients in the soil that may affect watershed quality. In workshops, grow-ers learn their local soil characteristics and the most ef-fective way that plants can maximize the utilization of the applied water and improve nutrient use efficiencies.

u n i v e r s i t y o f d e l a w a r e

in the lobby of the university of delaware’s Elbert N. and Ann V. Carvel Research and Education Center in Georgetown, the warm and welcoming smiles of Delaware’s former Governor and Mrs. Carvel have been greeting visitors since 2006. The Carvels’ life-sized portrait serves as a public reminder of the Carvel family’s generosity, affection and commitment to Delaware citizens and agri-culture. That tradition of service remains a constant with the 52 full-time employees of the center who carry out the mission to make a difference in the lives of Delawareans.

What began in 1941 as the UD’s agricultural ex-perimental “substation” has evolved into an influential, multi-faceted complex. The Carvel facility’s 26,000

square feet of office, labs and classroom space, is sur-rounded by 344 acres of agricultural research land, and the adjacent Lasher Laboratory, a world-class poultry diagnostic lab. In addition, the Carvel Research and Education Center (REC) is home to Sussex County Co-operative Extension, whose agents and volunteers deliver university-based knowledge to a diverse group of people.

“Our facility continues the strong tradition of serving our agricultural clientele and their families, as well as the citizens of Delaware,” said Mark Isaacs, REC director.

This 70 years of service, the last five in the new build-ing, has coincided with innovations in research and pro-grams that contribute to Delaware’s agricultural growth.

CarveL reSearCH anD eDUCation Center:

70 Years ofServiceby michele walfred

Growth could be Gordon Johnson’s middle name. Af-ter serving 11 years as agricultural agent for Cooperative Extension in Kent County, in January 2009, Johnson accepted a new position as Extension fruit and vegetable specialist with a new home at the REC. “It is very nice to have the research farm right outside my door,” said Johnson. Taking full advantage of his location, he and his team of researchers and students conduct ambitious programs studying the effects of soil amendments and fertility, alternative composts and cover crops, pest and irrigation management and cultural practices.

Using traditional crossbreeding methods, an im-proved variety of lima bean for instance, undergoes a process that can take 7 to 12 years. Examining 8 to 9 generations, under various growing traditions, is typical before a new variety can be brought to market. Johnson noted the promising work of his Extension colleague Emmalea Ernest, in lima bean research and trials. The REC’s acreage is also a backdrop to production sweet corn, snap beans, peas and watermelons.

In addition to these well-known Delaware crops, new trials are underway to expand market opportuni-ties with seed onion, blueberries, blackberries and wine and table grapes. Johnson is keen to explore the poten-tial of new varieties and cultural practices that could help farmers extend beyond Delaware’s summer range and produce fruits and vegetables that can grow from spring until fall, and successfully overwinter. Johnson’s

efforts at Carvel provide a crucial contribution toward this goal that could provide options to growers and bol-ster what is already a thriving agri-business industry.

Johnson partners with his Extension colleagues throughout the state in family and consumer science, agriculture and horticulture, instructing small and wholesale growers on safe produce harvesting and han-dling, and through associations such as the Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association of Delaware, which helps growers navigate industry regulation and safety audits mandated by retail outlets.

expanding fruit, vegetable opportunities for Delaware

Water use matters

The Carvel Research and Education Center is a key resource in Southern Delaware. Photos by Danielle Quigley

Gordon Johnson is at home working in the fields of Southern Delaware.

James Adkins

u n i v e r s i t y o f d e l a w a r e32 33s o u t h e r n d e l a w a r e

70 ye a r s o f s e r v i ce

Water quality was one of many issues that Bill Brown had placed on his agenda when he accepted the position of poultry extension agent in February 2010. Brown had spent most of his life as a poultry grower and 21 years with Perdue Farms, where he served as flock supervisor, ventila-tion specialist, hatchery manager, poultry housing special-ist, area supervisor and grow-out manager. Armed with enthusiasm and a lifetime of knowledge to share, Brown

was ready to hit the ground run-ning. But he had not exactly planned on wearing snow boots!

With barely enough time to unpack in his new office and remember his new email pass-word, Brown and the Delmarva poultry industry were hit with back-to-back historic winter storms. Immediately, the integ-rity of poultry-house construc-tion was pushed to the top of his agenda, as several structures fell to the weight of the record

snowfall. Since then, Brown has traveled the region providing valuable construction advice to growers.

As state Extension agent, Brown serves a large con-stituency of individual poultry growers and businesses who have a stake in what is the largest economic driver in agriculture in the region. Although poultry is the main-

stay of Delaware industry, contributing $3.2 billion dol-lars to Delaware economy, the industry faces many chal-lenges in public perception. Brown provides assistance for growers to navigate through proposed and pending legislation regarding nutrient management and environ-mental issues, controlling energy costs, and maintaining Delaware’s lead on bio-security diligence.

“I am eager to let the people know what this indus-try has done to contribute to the general welfare of the people in the Delmarva region,” said Brown. As Brown looks to the future, he is eager to encourage 4-H and FFA youth to consider a career in an industry that con-tributes so much to the area.

In March 2011, UD presented a comprehensive study, Impact of Agriculture on Delaware’s Economy, to Delaware Gov. Jack Markell. The report determined that agriculture and related industries generate $7.5 billion for Delaware. “Agriculture is important to our economy and important to our future,” said Markell, upon receiving the study.

Many decades ago, Governor Carvel anticipated Delaware agriculture’s prosperous future and invested in it. The Carvel family’s vision continues to signifi-cantly contribute to its success story. The Elbert N. and Ann V. Carvel Research and Education Center, its ded-icated staff, cutting-edge research and outreach mission ensure that the beneficiaries of Delaware agriculture are fully realized.

a blizzard or two blows in

Bill Brown assists poultry growers, businesses.

the delaware estuary was so unhealthy in the 1940s that in some areas it completely lacked oxygen and was largely void of aquatic life in the summer. Its low oxygen levels and the production of hydrogen sul-fide turned white ships grey, and its severe rotten egg odor even threatened its use as a port.

The estuary today, by comparison, is a much healthi-er place. In fact, research published by Jonathan Sharp, University of Delaware professor of oceanography in UD’s College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment, in the March 2010 issue of the journal Limnology and Oceanography documents that the Delaware Estuary has seen one of the most dramatic improvements of water quality of any river worldwide.

The research, based on about 100 years of data on oxy-gen levels, also paints one of the most complete pictures of an estuary's demise and recovery available. Not only did Sharp analyze data from his own research sampling, which he’s done multiple times each year since 1978, he also looked at Delaware River Basin Commission’s water monitoring stations going back to 1967. Less consistent data from other sources such as the Philadelphia Water Department and anecdotal sources such as newspaper articles provided perspective on the earlier years.

Together this information shows an estuary that for decades was pumped with municipal and indus-trial wastes, including raw sewage put directly into the river. The sewage caused outbreaks of disease such as

placeA healthierDelaware estuary sees dramatic water quality improvements by elizabeth boyle

Jonathan Sharp, second from right, and graduate students use an instrument designed to measure properties of seawater. Photo by Bob Bowden

For anyone intrigued by the ocean or interested in

a marine science career, a free tour of the University

of Delaware College of Earth, Ocean, and Environ-

ment’s (CEOE) research complex in Lewes is the

perfect summer activity.

Tour topics at the Hugh R. Sharp Campus include

a broad variety of issues and solutions in marine and

coastal environments.

Tours begin with a 15-minute video showcas-

ing ways in which CEOE and Delaware Sea Grant

researchers explore the coastal environment in Dela-

ware and throughout the world. Next, guides lead a

walking tour of the research buildings, often includ-

ing stops at the greenhouse, local fish and tropical

reef tanks, as well as multiple posters and exhibits.

In the two-hour tour, led by UD’s docent guides,

the discussion is tailored to the interests of each vis-

iting group, which may include kids ages 10 and up.

Tours take place from June until early September

—at 10 a.m. on Fridays in June and on Tuesdays and

Fridays in July and August. To reserve a place, call

302-645-4346, no later than noon the day before.

Free marine research tours offered through the summer


typhoid fever. In addition, oxygen-consuming bacteria in the water, fed by copious organic matter in sewage and other human-created contaminants, caused large declines in the amount of oxygen in the estuary.

In one of the paper’s anecdotal examples, Sharp ex-plained that the estuary used to support the largest shad spawning area of the whole east coast. The numbers plummeted in the early 1900s, however.

“The waters were so depleted of oxygen that the shad couldn’t hold their breath long enough to swim up stream,” said Sharp.

By World War II, the estuary was so unhealthy that certain areas completely lacked oxygen in the summer.

The tide began to turn in 1970 when the Environ-mental Protection Agency was formed and major grants financed upgrades to sewage treatment plants.

“That’s when the real change took place,” Sharp said, “because so much of that oxygen depletion in the Phil-adelphia area was due to sewage that was inadequately treated.”

As regulations for sewage treatment plants and in-dustrial discharges have resulted in water quality im-provements, Sharp said, natural resource managers

have tended to turn their attention to other areas.“There has been a lot of interest recently that nutri-

ents coming into the water are stimulating excess algal production,” he said.

Increased nutrient concentrations fuel overgrowths of oxygen-robbing algae.

“One of the things I was trying to do here is to point it out that it’s not quite so simple as a lot of people are

treating it,” he said.In his paper, Sharp suggested that while address-

ing nutrient loading is important, resource managers should not make that their only focus. Many other factors, such as habitat alteration and destruction, and other contaminants, directly and indirectly influence oxygen concentrations in the Delaware estuary.

Sharp explained further that today the estuary expe-riences no lack of oxygen in the summer. The recov-ery, he said, is reason to fully consider any changes that could affect the estuary.

“With the tremendous improvement in water qual-ity, this is more reason to be cautious about anything that could impair the water quality such as the dredg-ing to deepen the channel,” he said.

a h e a l t h i e r p l a ce

The latest landscaping effort at the University of

Delaware’s Hugh R. Sharp Campus in Lewes isn’t just

easy on the eyes. It’s a demonstration rain garden—

a shallow depression in the landscape designed to

collect and clean

stormwater runoff.

“It’s a way of us, ei-

ther a homeowner or

a business or a uni-

versity, taking responsibility,” said one of the garden’s

creators, Joe Farrell, resources management specialist

with the Delaware Sea Grant College Program.

The rain garden, which contains plants native to

Southern Delaware, helps to remove pollutants from

stormwater as it drains off of a large parking lot on

the campus. By filtering the runoff, the garden keeps

contaminants out of nearby streams, bays and the

Atlantic Ocean, ultimately providing healthier water-

ways for wildlife and people.

In addition to helping the environment, the

project will serve as a demonstration site for anyone

wanting to learn more about rain gardens.

— By Elizabeth Boyle

Rain garden features native plants, removes pollutants

Photo by Lisa Tossey

While addressing nutrient loading is important, resource managers should

not make that their only focus.

♦ ♦ ♦ Jonathan Sharp, professor of oceanography in the College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment at the Uni-versity of Delaware, has received a Lifetime Achieve-ment Award from the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary.

The award was presented dur-ing the organization’s Fourth Delaware Estuary Science and Environmental Summit held Jan. 30–Feb. 2 in Cape May, N.J.

The award, the first of its kind given by the partnership, honored Sharp for dedicating his career to the health of the estuary.

In presenting the award, Jen-nifer Adkins, executive director of the partnership, said that Sharp is “without a doubt one of the top scientists in the Delaware Estuary.”

She cited his more than 30 publications specifically about the Delaware River and Bay system, which have appeared in the pages of numerous journals, including Estuarine and Coasts and Limnology and Oceanography.

In the past few years, Sharp has completed two large overview papers based on his long-term research in the Delaware Estuary, she added.

While his research has played a critical role in water quality regulation in Delaware, his work has had broad influence as well. He has developed international stan-dards for dissolved organic carbon to better and more accurately determine global and long-term levels of the water quality indicator. Sharp also has been involved with international efforts to re-evaluate the phenom-enon of eutrophication, in which a glut of nutrients leads to excess plant growth.

Meanwhile, across his career Sharp has mentored at least 22 advisees who have gone on to academic re-search institutions across the country as well as federal agencies such as the Naval Research Lab, state agencies

and private industry. Many of these students did their master’s or doctoral research on the Delaware Estuary.

“The work for which we are most appreciative at the partnership is, of course, his un-wavering devotion to efforts to ex-pand knowledge, understanding, protection, and restoration of the Delaware Estuary,” Adkins said. “Dr. Sharp’s interest in the Dela-ware Estuary is not just about the science—it is about turning sci-ence into passion and action.”

He was a founding member of the partnership’s board of directors and its first chair and he continues to serve on its advisory committee today. He was also the founding chair of the group’s Science and Technical Advisory Committee and was instrumental in creating its guiding document, the “Com-prehensive Conservation Manage-

ment Plan for the Delaware Estuary.”On receiving the award, Sharp said

he was surprised and delighted with the great honor.“I’ve continued along the interface between science

and management on the Delaware Estuary because of the interested and dedicated group of individuals also working in this area,” he said. “A diverse group from academia, local governments, state agencies, regional agencies, local federal offices, industry and the gener-al public have been able to overcome different back-grounds and agendas to cooperatively develop plans and then start implementing them for an improved future for the Delaware Estuary. These plans have been based on local application of solid science with recogni-tion of the multiple uses and values of the estuary. It has been a very rewarding activity.”

Sharp joined UD in 1973. He earned his doctorate in oceanography from Dalhousie University, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada in 1972.


Professor wins Lifetime Achievement Award by elizabeth boyle

Jonathan Sharp accepts a Lifetime Achievement Award for dedicating his career to the health of the Delaware Estuary.

36 37

wild turkeys, once extinct in delaware, have made a major comeback in the state after 34 wild birds were reintroduced in Southern Delaware in 1984. Wild turkeys, along with white-tailed deer, are revered as two major game species here in the First State.

Jacob Bowman, associate professor in the Depart-ment of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology in the University of Delaware’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, along with UD undergraduate and graduate students, are in the midst of conducting a three-year study funded by the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife on wild turkey and white-tailed deer populations in Southern Delaware.

The goal of the study is to be able to make sound recommendations to the state agencies, backed up by thoroughly researched science, on how to better im-prove their decisions when dealing with wild turkey and white-tailed deer populations in the region.

reproductive ecology and survival of wild turkeys

Bowman explained that the group studies wild tur-keys in Sussex County, primarily in the field area sur-

rounding Redden Forest in Georgetown, which pro-vides ideal habitat for the animals.

Most of the work is being conducted on private land and Bowman said “cooperation with landowners has been key to the success of this project. Nearly all of our captures, if not all of our captures, have occurred on private land. We’ve had overwhelming support for the project from landowners and everyone’s been very, very helpful in working with us.”

In order to obtain wild turkeys for the study, Bow-man’s group uses a rocket net that carries over a flock. Once the turkeys are in the net, the group runs out to restrain the birds, put each one into an individual box that’s provided by the National Wild Turkey Federa-tion, and then each bird is dealt with individually.

Bowman said, “Each bird is taken out of a box, cer-tain measurements are taken, each receives two leg bands, and then if it’s an adult hen, and sometimes juvenile hens, we put a radio transmitter on it, a back-pack transmitter that sits in the middle of the back and emits a signal that allows us to determine the location of that bird at pretty much any time.”

Prof, students study wild game populations in the region by adam thomas

BAlAncERestoring


UD researchers are study-ing wildlife in Southern Delaware, with a focus on wild turkeys and white-tailed deer. Photos by Danielle Quigley


With the wild turkeys, Bowman’s group is looking at reproductive ecology and survival rates.

Said Bowman, “In wild turkeys, hen survival comes out to be the most important factor in population dy-namics, so whether the population is increasing, decreas-ing or staying in place depends a lot upon adult survival.”

Bowman pointed out that only male wild turkeys are hunted in Delaware, and they are only hunted in the spring, so hunting should have little to no impact on the survival rates in the study.

The first year of the study involved getting the group equipment and landowner access. The second year, the group started capturing and monitoring wild turkeys, so they’ve had a full year of monitoring nests and track-ing adult hens through the year. They’ve also looked at young turkey survival, following them all the way from hatching.

This year, the group finished up the trapping phase on March 15, and Bowman said they “hope to be able to make recommendations to the state to better man-age turkeys and to increase turkey numbers. In the area we’re studying, turkeys are doing fairly well, but there are some areas of Delaware that turkeys aren’t doing as well so we look at this as kind of a first step to under-standing turkeys in Delaware.”

movement and survival of white-tailed deer The white-tailed deer project is a little bit bigger than

the turkey project, but it also focuses on the female

population of the herd, since that can be used to better manage deer populations.

“With white-tailed deer, as opposed to turkeys, we’re more interested in reducing population levels instead of increasing population levels. So we’re trying to understand how they’re using different areas of public versus private land,” Bowman said. “One of the concerns that people have expressed is that as soon as hunting season opens, the deer will either move onto private land or public land and somehow that provides a refuge from harvest.”

The problem when deer move on to private or public land is that they destroy local crops and can be detri-mental to local ecology. Bowman said that for the best ecological results, it is important to maintain a bal-anced deer herd in Southern Delaware.

Bowman’s group tracks the animals very intensively from May until the end of January, so they can “really get an idea of how these animals are moving, how big their home range is and what areas they are using.”

To catch the deer, a member of Bowman’s team sits in a deer blind, mainly at night, and waits for deer to arrive in an area where the team has rigged drop nets. Corn is placed in the center of the area to entice the deer into the location and once the deer are in position, a member of the team releases the net. The group’s big-ger nets are 60 feet by 60 feet.

Once the deer are caught, the group administers a sedative, and each animal is removed from the net. The group takes various body measurements before giving


re s to r i n g b a l a n ce

each animal two sets of tags. Metal ear clips with a phone number and an identification number and a set of plastic black and white ear tags that have the same identifica-tion number are placed on the deer. Should that deer be harvested, hunters can call in and give the team the iden-tification number and they are able to determine which individual deer was harvested.

If they trap an adult doe, it receives a radio collar, which allows them to determine the location of the deer.

Occasionally, the team will use a dart gun, but Bow-man said this is rare because it is less cost effective than the drop nets, which can catch multiple deer at a time as opposed to the one shot of the dart gun.

Because hunting season runs from Sept. 1 until the end of January, Bowman explained that “being able to better understand how deer are changing their use of habitats during the hunting season will help us better inform people on how to improve harvest rates, if that’s what we want to do. The opposite could happen down the road where we decide that we need to back off of harvest, and this same information will help us under-stand how we can best do that.”

With regards to hunting, Bowman said the area’s hunt-ers have played an extremely helpful role in the study.

“Hunters have been amazingly cooperative about re-porting harvested deer and providing information about where they harvested those deer. They have been amazing with providing us information, and for the survival stuff that we are doing, it’s really important to have hunter co-

operation. Having them tell us when and where the deer were killed really helps us get better data in the end.”

Studying the survival rate of adult females is impor-tant because it can help project the trajectory of a popu-lation. Bowman explained that last year, they saw a very high mortality rate in collared female deer and they are curious to see if this year bears out the same results.

Bowman’s group is also looking at whether the ani-mals that are feeding in someone’s soybean field in Au-gust are the same animals available for harvest when hunting season opens in November.

Bowman pointed out that some people have sug-gested that the animals are shifting on the landscape, especially since some white-tailed deer populations are semi-migratory. “In a study we did in Maryland, we saw some of the deer shift as far as five miles from late summer to the fall.”

Bowman’s group wants to see if the same sort of pat-tern that happened in Maryland can occur in Delaware. “Now, it only occurred in a small number in Maryland and we don’t expect it to occur in any larger numbers here in Delaware, but it does affect our management, because if those animals are moving, if those animals that are causing crop damage are actually not the ones that are on the farm later on, that is an important thing for us to understand.”

Bowman also stressed that for the study of deer, just as for the study of wild turkeys, landowner coopera-tion has been huge. “Landowner interactions have been very important for us, and the agriculture community in Sussex County around where we have been working has been amazingly supportive, allowing us access to their land. We couldn’t do what we do without them.”

Students involved in the wild turkey project include Eric Ludwig, a master’s student in the College of Agri-culture and Natural Resources, and Amanda Dunbar, a senior thesis student who worked on the project in the summer. There are also two full-time technicians work-ing on the project.

Students involved in the deer study include Melissa Miller, a master’s student, David Kalb, a doctoral stu-dent; Caroline Jane Corddry, Nicole Hengst and Hol-ley Kline, all Science and Engineering Scholars in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

All of these students live in Southern Delaware while conducting their extensive, hands-on field research. Those involved gain a great real-world research experience, while providing Delaware with much needed data to help better manage wild turkey and white-tailed deer populations.

Members of the UD research team doing field work.

s o u t h e r n d e l a w a r e 39

in fall of 2010, the university of delaware ex-panded its age 50-plus lifelong learning program to Dover. Now in its second session, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Delaware in Dover has more than 130 members and is offering 22 courses at the Modern Maturity Center.

“The Osher Lifelong Learning program has been a wonderful experience,” said Pat Hughes, who joined the program in the fall. “Besides the benefits of keeping the mind active, you meet some of the nicest people and have a great time, too,” continued Hughes. “And unlike undergraduate studies, you don’t have to worry about a final exam. It’s learning for learning’s sake.”

Carrie Townsend, the University program coordina-tor, echoed Hughes’ thoughts. “Learning for its own sake is at the core of this program,” she said. “Instruc-

tors volunteer to teach subjects that they are passionate about, and the students are there because they want to be—for pure enjoyment and enrichment.”

Designed as an educational cooperative, the program receives logistical and program support from the Univer-sity of Delaware, but it’s the individual members who de-velop and implement the program locally, including the design and teaching of the courses and activities.

Don Blakey, retired from a career as a school admin-istrator and educator at Delaware State University, is teaching “Swahili: The Language, People and Culture” this spring. He has designed the class so that the stu-dents get involved in actual activities they would ex-perience in Africa, to both give them a flavor of the culture and to reinforce learning.

For a recent class, Blakey transcribed four songs in

Lifelong learning program in Dover celebrates successful first year by tara white kee

Goldenopportunity

Carrie Townsend, pro-gram coordinator for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Delaware in Dover. Photos by Kathy Atkinson


♦ ♦ ♦ The mayor and council of the city of Lewes pro-claimed the date Dec. 13, 2010, as “Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Delaware in Lewes Day.”

Mayor James L. Ford III read a proclamation into the record, recognizing the program for its 20 years of growth in membership and volunteerism in Lewes, and the program’s contributions to the quality of life in the greater Lewes community.

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the Univer-sity of Delaware in Lewes is a membership organization open to those 50 years of age or older who are inter-ested in joining a unique continuing education experi-ence. Classes are held at the Lewes School and other locations in Lewes and Rehoboth Beach. There are no academic requirements for enrollment.

Bob Comeau, council chair of the Lewes Osher Life-long Learning program, accepted the proclamation on behalf of the Osher program. “Like many other members, my wife and I joined the program soon after we retired,” he said. “We wanted to continue learning and to make friends with others similarly inclined, and the program has more than met our wishes and expectations.”

Comeau added, “We enthusiastically ‘advertise’ the many volunteer opportunities in the community, and see familiar faces from Lifelong Learning in several of the other associations and grass-roots organizations to which we belong. It is an active community of individuals that regularly makes a positive impact on our community—and I think the community leaders agree, as the Lewes Mayor and City Council have demonstrated.”

Jim Broomall, assistant provost for UD’s profes-sional and continuing studies, attended the Lewes City Council meeting. “The University of Delaware and the town of Lewes enjoy a long-standing positive relation-ship,” he said. “This proclamation from the Lewes City Council exemplifies the spirit of respect and affection between UD and Lewes. It is greatly appreciated, as the Osher program in Lewes seeks to continue providing

learning opportunities for the community.”The Osher Lifelong Learning program was originally

established in 1989 as the Southern Delaware Acad-emy of Lifelong Learning, as part of the University’s Division of Continuing Education—now the Division of Professional and Continuing Studies. The program opened with 58 members; currently there are almost 500 members, with an average offering of about 50 courses per semester.

Anna Moshier is UD’s program coordinator for the Osher Lifelong Learning program in Lewes, and also attended the event.

"I am so proud to be a part of an organization which boasts such an enthusiastic and dedicated group of community members,” she said. “The lifelong learning program is very member-driven, so the proclamation is truly a recognition of their individual contributions.”

Members offer new course ideas, design and teach courses in their areas of interest, and serve as committee members. Instructors include both active and retired pro-fessionals in their fields, and expert hobbyists. Individual members can also just enroll for the semester, taking as many courses as they wish.

In 2010, the program’s name was changed to Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at University of Delaware in Lewes, to reflect affiliation with the network of Os-her Lifelong Learning Institutes. Similar UD-Osher programs are located in Wilmington and Dover.


Lewes declares Osher Lifelong Learning Day by nora riehl zelluk

The Elder Moments ensemble from Osher Lifelong Learning in Lewes performs at the proclamation event. Photo by Bernard Fiegel

Swahili, and found a recording of the songs for the stu-dents to hear. “We have taken photo tours, tasted Afri-can food and drink, all while using the proper Swahili words for the experiences,” he said. “I incorporate as many senses as possible. If you can feel it, taste it, smell it, you are more likely to learn it.”

Blakey was drawn to Osher Lifelong Learning by the concept of a fun, relaxed situation where people can experience a variety of subjects, “under no pressure.” Blakey emphasized, “The learning is genuine. Here the students are after the knowledge rather than the reward of grades. I don’t have to ask them to study.”

Blakey said that he values the opportunity the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute gives people who are out of the workforce and are now free to explore things they didn’t have time or opportunity for because of work or family.

Osher Lifelong Learning members who wish to do more than take classes may volunteer as instructors, or assist with membership outreach, special events or pub-

lic relations. The program is self supporting through a membership fee which covers the space rental and operating costs.

Mickey McKay has taught at Osher Life-long Learning in Dover both sessions and also is retired from a career as a university educator. About her class at Osher Lifelong Learning, “Political Landscape of the 21st Century,” she said, “I enjoy the students’ vast and varied experiences all coming to-

gether under the general outline I’ve set out. The people here have a broader view of the world and they have so much to add to the class.”

McKay is currently taking “Memoir Writing—Re-membering Our Past.” She is conducting genealogi-cal research on her family and wants to put the results down in a narrative format for her children.

Ila Beebe, another Osher student, is taking “Digi-tal Photography and the Art of Seeing,” “Spanish for Beginners,” and “Time Out for Poetry” this session. “I do like to learn,” she commented. “I did the fall semes-ter and liked it so I’m back for the spring. Now I’ve volunteered to do some public speaking to help spread the word about the program. It broadens your horizons and hopefully it keeps your mind a little sharper.”

Beebe mentioned that one of her favorite parts of the program is meeting a lot of new people in class. Many members of her “Memoir Writing” class from the fall semester found the experience so compelling that they continue to meet and read their writings to each other, even though the class is finished.

Classes at Osher Lifelong Learning take place Tues-days, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Each 10-week class meets once a week for an hour and 15 minutes, at Modern Maturity Center, 1121 Forrest Avenue, Dover. The modest membership fee (for 2010–11, $130 per semester, $210 for fall and spring semesters combined) includes three courses, other activities and benefits, and additional courses based on available space.

g o l d e n o p p o r t u n i t y


about the Dover program,

visit www.lifelong

learning.udel.edu/

dover/ or contact

Carrie Townsend at

302-734-1200, ext. 168.

Dover classes are held at the Modern Maturity Center, with a wealth of learning opportunities available.


Sunday, August 88:00 pm The University of Delaware Research Vessel Hugh R. Sharp is a handsome ship, and one specially designed to carry a wide range of scientific expedi-tions. Much like a modern freighter, the Sharp carries containers, these containing not consumer goods but interchangeable laboratories.

For this 24-hour journey, the Sharp carries a UD research team headed by Arthur Trembanis, assistant professor of geological sciences, and Douglas Miller, associate professor of oceanography, that plans to scan the seafloor and take bottom samples at several loca-tions off the Delaware coast.

As the guests and scientific team come aboard, they are met by Bill Byam, director of marine operations in the University’s College of Earth, Ocean, and Environ-ment, who is handling the Sharp on this voyage in relief of Capt. Jimmy Warrington.

Byam describes the Sharp, which is part of the Uni-versity-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) and spends 180–200 days per year on the water with different science teams, as a “charter boat for science.” The crew had just returned from New York Harbor before setting out.

Docked at UD’s Hugh R. Sharp Campus in Lewes, the ship draws about 10 feet and must sail through Roosevelt Inlet on the high tide, thus the unusual—but spectacular—hour of embarkation. To the west, the summer sun is setting in shades of golden orange and a sea of cell phones are held aloft, clicking photographs of the coastline as the crew prepares to cast off.

8:15 pm As the Sharp pulls away from dock and gets under way, the science team and journalists meet in the dry lab for a safety briefing by Byam, who goes

over the rules of the vessel and directs a hands-on lesson on the proper use of life preservers. He also takes note of the long period swells being kicked up by the remnants of Tropical Depression Colin and, for those who might get seasick, notes that Dramamine is available. And he insists that anyone spending time on deck—the work area is at the stern—don a fluorescent work vest.

8:45 pm Still in the wet lab, surrounded by a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) chart, cables and a computer screen, Trembanis and Miller discuss the work ahead. And it is mentioned that team members will be working through the night—not just into the night, but all night. Plans call for studies of the Pimple, a natural site about 16 miles offshore on the bottom of the Atlantic, a natural fish-ing area, and Artificial Reef Sites 9 and 11, the latter to check on the condition of subway cars and military vehicles sent to the sea floor to form a manmade reef.

“We will be using 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st century technology on this trip,” Trembanis says, adding that the simple dredge such as that which will be dragged behind the Sharp later tonight might have been used as early as the 4th century.

In addition to the dredge, which features metal teeth and a basket and is dragged on the bottom, the team will use a sampler that looks something like a lunar lander, and a bright yellow, black finned side-scan so-nar tow device.

“The tow device is a 20th century technology,” Trem-banis says. “It was developed around World War II and makes use of sonar (sound navigation and ranging) to scan the seafloor.”

Also deployed on the expedition will be an autono-

Lıfea day

in the

Scientific research goes on around the clock and throughout the year on the University of Delaware Research Vessel Hugh R. Sharp. Step aboard and join the crew and a UD team as they explore the sea floor just off the Delaware coast during a 24-hour excursion in August, 2010.

ReSeARch VeSSel hUgh R. ShARp:by neil thomas • photos by evan krape


mous underwater vehicle, or AUV, a decidedly 21st century technology. The golden miniature submarine is about 9 feet long and features a small orange con-ning tower outfitted with flashing lights. It can be pre-programmed to follow a particular course—often “mowing the lawn” in a back and forth pattern across an area—and the team stays in contact with the AUV through wireless network, satellite and acoustic com-munications, the latter when it is beneath the waves and out of range of the other means.

9:30 pm Standing on the back of the rolling ship affords a breathtaking view of coastal Delaware, with landlubbers trying to decipher the various clues as to where we are in relation to the state’s beach communi-ties by the amount of light they give off. On the high-tech bridge above, Byam knows exactly our position through sophisticated GPS, but those on deck soon realize that our personal skills are lacking and we are a bit lost. Is that Rehoboth Beach? No, couldn’t be; we’ve been out for over an hour. Indian River? Prob-ably not. Overhead is what appears to be a helicopter moving about but, given the constant motion of the waves generated by Colin and the continuous rocking of the Sharp, it could be a stationary star, or a satellite, or, yes, a helicopter. With bright lights attached to a winch, churning white water from the Schottel Twin Z-drives marks where we have been.

10:00 pm The science team prepares to send the side scan sonar “fish” overboard. The bright lights of the

Delaware shore are long gone and it is an enormously pleasant evening, clear and starry. The sonar device is attached to two cables—one the ship’s and one that feeds data to a computer in the wet lab.

10:30 pm The Sharp slows and the team makes final preparations to drag the side scan sonar device. Researchers make a final inspection. Soon the fish is in the water and the cable and data line stretch off into the darkness, past the bubbling wake.

10:45 pm Computers in the wet lab, at the other end of the cables, are showing “prop noise”—bubbles from the prop are reflecting the sonar, making images less than satisfactory. Researchers huddle up to share their thoughts, then work with ship’s crew on possible solutions to the problem: cable length and boat speed, which drops to 3.5 knots.

Midnight For the moment, the researchers are getting images they can use, with the side scan sonar towed on its own cord. Miller describes the working of the side scan sonar device, saying it “acts like a flashlight going back and forth. If you are using a flashlight and then throw a handful of dust, you can’t see beyond the dust”—in this case, the propeller bubbles were the “dust.”

Monday, August 9 1:00 am Fatigue begins to set in—for some of us—with the rocking of the boat kind of like the rocking of a cradle. Below decks are comfortable berths for the science team, complete with pillows, sheets and a privacy curtain. Sleep comes in fits and starts, with the motion of the boat and the sound of the engine, which never really gets time to rest. The crew of the Sharp sleeps in shifts on a deck above.

1:50 am The science team and crew continue to work to get useful images from the side-scan sonar, and the yellow fish is sent back into the dark Atlantic by Bryan Keller, a graduate student in the Trembanis research group, and Nick Short, a member of the crew. This time it is plugged into a computer in one of the por-table container laboratories, where doctoral student Adam Skarke studies the images.

3:30 am With Miller overseeing the operation, the metal dredge is prepared to be sent overboard to drag the bottom and bring specimens to the deck of the boat for study.

4:15 am The seafloor proved nearly barren and little is collected—a small crab, a fish and a shell. Miller studies the material with Shayna Sura, a student at the University of Notre Dame, and Pat McLaughlin, a student at Villanova Univer-sity. Both students are part of the UD College

of Earth, Ocean, and Environment National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates (NSF REU) summer intern program.

5:30 am The side-scan sonar team continues to moni-tor the images sent from below.

6:35 am The yellow fish is pulled back on board. It is a gray and foggy morning off the Delaware coast.

7:00 am Now the fog is carrying with it a fine mist. Trembanis, along with doctoral student Nicole Raineault and master’s student Jonathan Gutsche, begin preparations to begin using the 21st century technology—the autonomous underwater vehicle. It bears a blue and gold sticker noting: “Harmless oceanographic instrument, property of the University of Delaware.”

a d ay i n t h e l i fe

In the dark of early morn-ing, Nicole Raineault prepares for the AUV launch. Right, Douglas Miller checks the spoils from a dredge.

Researchers assess sea life, and the ship’s crew readies a grab sampler.


7:05 am The computer makes contact with the shipboard AUV. Trembanis says the AUV has a sophisticated inertial navigation system (INS) such as that used on aircraft, submarines and spacecraft. Asked how the AUV will find its way back to the ship once its mission is complete, Trembanis jokes, “A trail of bread crumbs.” Above water, it communicates to the ship through wireless and satellite transmission. Underwater, data is transmitted wirelessly through an acoustic modem set over the side of the Sharp.

7:46 am The AUV is in the water, and begins a descent off the stern of the ship. It is off on a two-hour mission, after which a second mission will be uploaded.

8:50 am The sun begins to break through the fog. While the AUV is off studying the ocean floor, the science team begins taking samples from the bottom, about 28 meters below, using a grab sampler, which looks like a miniature Apollo lunar lander. It brings up rich, dark material filled with mudworms. Using a sifting pan as if panning for gold, Miller also finds a bamboo worm—so named because its segments have the appearance of the plant. Trembanis says the ocean floor here would have been dry land centuries ago, be-fore the glaciers receded and melted, and the sea level rose. “This would have been like Cape May.”

10:00 am Standing in the relative cool of an air conditioned laboratory container, Trembanis explains that the team is using a variety of ways to look at and sample the sea floor to get a multidimensional view of

what is down there. On deck, the team begins looking for the AUV, which has surfaced but in a slight fog. Soon it is spotted, the tiny conning tower in sight. A half hour later the Sharp has maneuvered into posi-tion to bring the AUV on board, to Miller’s applause. It will take about an hour to transmit data from the AUV to a computer, and to change its batteries.

Noon A key member of any ship’s crew is the cook, and lunch is nothing short of amazing, featuring warm tortillas topped with makings of Philly chees-esteak, complete with onions, green peppers and cheese sauce. A great feature is a freezer stocked with a range of ice cream treats.

12:52 pm After another round of preparations, Trembanis declares the AUV fit for a second mis-sion. Graduate student Hilary Stevens says “dive little fish” as it submerges, and the sparkling gold fuselage goes shimmering green as it slips into the crystal blue waters, surprisingly clear given the proximity to the Delaware River and Bay. Trembanis says the research group is involved with applied technology—the actual use of the AUV in missions—and technology develop-ment—finding ways to advance the AUV.

3:10 pm As the biologists look at another sampling from the ocean floor, it is approaching time for the return of the AUV and off the port side, a distinct greenish glow can be seen from below and the AUV appears directly next to the ship. The recovery team has this down to a science—the AUV is back on deck in no time.

4:10 pm A toothed metal dredge is sent overboard to drag the bottom. After a 10-minute run, it is brought back on board. Unlike the dredging done in the wee hours of the morning, this time the basket is full—crabs, squid eggs, sand dollars, a sea robin, clam shells, seaweed, even a piece of rock that looks like flagstone from a walkway that could have been used as ballast in a ship from years gone by. The biology team goes to work sorting and storing.

5:00 pm It has been a long, hot day in the sun. Byam lets us know that it is a two-hour run from here to home, and we’re heading in on the tide. The cook prepares one last meal and about 6:30 it is “land ho” as we reach Cape Henlopen, disembarking about 7, once again with cell phones held high and snapping shots of the port.

a d ay i n t h e l i fe

The research team looks over the items brought up on the late afternoon dragging of the sea floor.

jack puleo studies beaches and what he sees con-cerns him. Sea levels are rising. Climate change experts estimate global sea levels will rise nearly five feet over the next century, increasing shoreline erosion and cost-ing the U.S. an estimated $130 million annually on beach nourishment alone.

More importantly, Puleo is eager to collect new data to predict how beaches evolve and erode over time.

Puleo has developed a sensor to capture data about the transport of sediment (in this case beach sands) on critical land-ocean boundaries. He will take his research to a new level this October when he deploys the sen-sors under natural conditions for the first time—in a

landmark field study conducted as part of his recently awarded 2011–2012 Fulbright scholarship at the Uni-versity of Plymouth in the United Kingdom.

The sensors, which earned Puleo a National Science Foundation Early Career Award in 2009, record the movement of sediment in and just above the sea bed on beaches. Already on his third prototype, Puleo’s work has led to new results obtained from scaled, laboratory experiments.

Puleo will work with well-known European col-leagues already focused on related field efforts to col-lect comprehensive beach face sediment transport data.

Gerd Masselink, deputy head of the Marine Science

protecting the world’s coastlines by karen roberts

Water’s edge

UD’s Jack Puleo conducts field work in the “swash zone.”


school and lead of the Coastal Processes Research Group at University of Plymouth, called the upcoming study a “highly significant and timely” opportunity that will pro-duce “novel science, first-class publications and improved modeling capabilities for predicting shoreline change.”

While in England, Puleo also plans to teach a short course for coastal science and engineering students on efficient use of MatLab, a common software package often used for analyzing coastal data sets.

in the ‘swash zone’Most of Puleo’s research takes place right at the wa-

ter’s edge—where kids skim board in the summer. Scientifically, this is called the “swash zone,” the area

where waves wash up and down the beach face. Under-standing how sand moves here is pivotal to predicting swash zone sediment fluxes and ensuing beach erosion and accretion.

“The concentration of sand in the bedload layer var-ies constantly,” Puleo explained. Part of the problem is that current prediction models are only validated against sand activity higher in the water column rather than near the sea bed on beaches. There have been es-sentially no field studies on the quantity or mechanisms of sand movement in this thin layer.

Puleo’s sensors (only a few millimeters wide and about one millimeter thick) are mounted just above the sand using metal bars buried underground. They mea-

sure the concentration profiles of sand directly in the pounding surf—and how the concentration varies as a function of elevation. Measurements in the study will be taken in millimeter increments, 24-hours per day over a seven-day period, while current sensors mounted on pipes record other important factors such as velocity and sea surface elevation.

These measurements, combined with the suspended sediment measurements of his colleagues from Univer-sity of Plymouth and University of New South Wales in Australia, will provide a “grand master data set” of sand activity in the swash zone where coastal erosion processes are manifested.

“If we can collect better data sets, we can develop more robust parameterizations on sand movement and use numerical modeling to impact future coastal ero-sion prediction,” Puleo said.

“It is a real opportunity to record total sediment flux-es in the swash zone and relate these to measurements of the swash flow dynamics,” added Masselink.

Puleo is an associate professor in civil and environ-mental engineering at the Center for Applied Coastal Research at UD. He holds a joint appointment in the College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment in physi-cal ocean science and engineering. Puleo joined UD in 2004 after earning his doctorate at the University of Florida. He previously was an oceanographer with the Naval Research Laboratory.

hungry visitors looked on as young chefs sliced, diced, and sautéed a wide range of ingredients for the Junior Rockfish Cooking Contest, held earlier this year at the Ocean City (Md.) Convention Center.

The fourth annual contest, a part of the East Coast Commercial Fishermen’s and Aquaculture Trade Expo, featured girls and boys competing in two age catego-ries: 7–12 years old and 13–17 years old.

Winning in the younger category was Amelia DiP-ietro of Timonium, Md. Her Devil Made Me Do It Stuffed Rockfish Fillets included a topping of roasted

red peppers and a delicious filling with chives, mayon-naise, mustard, and Tabasco and Worcestershire sauces.

Julie Ansorge of Olney, Md., took top prize for the older age group. Her Rockfish Ravioli with Pesto Sauce combined homemade pasta with mouth-watering ricotta and Parmesan cheeses, among other ingredients. Topping each ravioli was a savory pesto sauce made by the chef herself.

Contestants came prepared with all the ingredients, pans and utensils necessary to make their original recipes, which were inspired by the culinary traditions of every-

Kids cook!Rockfish ravioli on the menu at junior cook-off by elizabeth boyle

Amelia DiPietro, Rockfish Cook-Off winner in the 7–12 age group, dishes her entry for contest organizer Doris Hicks of Delaware Sea Grant. Photo by Lisa Tossey

wate r ’s e d g e

The University of Delaware’s popular Land and

Sea Lecture series recently completed its 26th year,

providing stimulating morning presentations on a

wide variety of topics through March in the Virden

Center on UD’s Hugh R. Sharp Campus in Lewes.

“The series has a proud tradition of presenting

some of the University’s best minds on important and

timely topics,” said F. Gary Simpson, assistant director

of University Relations at UD and organizer of the se-

ries. “This year, the talks covered political communica-

tion, the technology and economics of offshore wind,

public opinion in Delaware and future demographic

and economic trends in Sussex County. “

Speakers in the 2011 series included Ralph

Begleiter, director of the University’s Center for

Political Communication; Willett Kempton, an ex-

pert on wind power and director of the Center for

Carbon-free Power Integration; David C. Wilson,

assistant professor of political science and interna-

tional relations and an expert on public opin-

ion; and Ed Ratledge, director of the Center for

Applied Demography and Survey Research, who

discussed demographic and economics trends

that have an impact in Southern Delaware.

The Land and Sea Lecture series is sponsored by

UD’s Office of University Relations.

UD Land and Sea series offers stimulating lectures


thing from Italian to Tex-Mex. Each contestant was pro-vided with two pounds of rockfish, and start times were staggered to allow judges ample time to savor the dishes.

Winners were awarded cash prizes and plaques, and all contestants received chef aprons, pins, cookbooks and certificates.

Judges included a food writer, an outdoors writer and a representative from the Calvert Marine Museum, lo-

cated in Solomons, Md. Each dish was scored on origi-nality, taste, attractiveness and predominance of rock-fish. Onlookers also had an opportunity to taste each entry as it came out of the oven or off the grill.

The contest was sponsored by the Delaware Sea Grant College Program, Maryland Sea Grant College Pro-gram, and Maryland Seafood Marketing Program.

k i d s co o k!

2 lbs. rockfish filletsDash paprika 1 roasted red pepper1/2 cup dry white wine to taste1 cup cold water4 tablespoons melted butter1/2 lemon1 package frozen corn4 tablespoons butter1 diced red pepper1 diced green pepperSalt and pepper to taste

Stuffing/wet mixture:1 lb. fresh crab meat (lump)Salt and pepper to taste1/4 cup chopped chives1 cup mayonnaise2 tablespoons salad mustard1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Junior Rockfish Cooking ContestWinning Recipes

Amelia’s Devil Made Me Do it Stuffed Rockfish FilletsBy Amelia DiPietro, Timonium, Md.7–12 Age Group

Preparation instructions:to make the stuffing:1. Mix all ingredients together to make a wet mix-

ture.2. In a separate bowl, add crab meat, chopped fresh

chives, salt and pepper, and toss lightly. Add wet mixture and gently mix together.

to stuff the rockfish:Place one rockfish fillet on pan top with deviled crab meat mixture. Take another rockfish fillet and slice length-wise in the middle as to make place for the stuffing to show through. Top rockfish with roasted pepper slices and sprinkle with paprika in a frying pan. Add dry white wine, cold water and melted but-ter and lemon slices. Add rockfish, cover and cook until done.

Serve with Corn O’Brian and lemon wedges.

2 lbs. rockfish filletsHomemade pastaHomemade pesto1 cup ricotta cheese1/4 cup Parmesan cheeseSalt/pepper1 egg1 tablespoon olive oil1 clove garlic1/4 cup orange bell pepperParsleyBasil leaf for garnish

Pasta Ingredients:4 large eggs1/4 cup water3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour1/2 teaspoon salt

Pesto Sauce Ingredients:2 cups fresh basil leaves1/2 cup olive oil2 tablespoons pine nuts2 cloves garlic, crushed1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons grated

parmesan cheese3 tablespoons softened butter

Rockfish Ravioli with Pesto SauceBy Julie Ansorge, Olney, Md.13–17 Age Group

Preparation instructions:Pasta Preparation:Place eggs, water, flour and salt in mixer bowl. With flat beater, mix for 30 seconds on speed 2. Exchange beater with dough hook and knead for 2 minutes on speed 2. Remove dough from bowl and hand knead 1–2 minutes. Process into sheets with rollers.

Pan fry rockfish in olive oil and garlic. Make pesto.

Pesto Preparation:Put basil, olive oil, pine nuts and garlic in food proces-sor and mix at high speed. Add cheese and butter and process just enough to incorporate into the basil mix. Before spooning over the dish, mix in 1 tablespoon of the hot pasta water if necessary for thinning.

Combine ricotta, egg and Parmesan. Add orange pepper and parsley to ricotta mixture. Cut rockfish into 1-inch pieces. Add rockfish to ricotta mixture.

Place about 2 tablespoons of mixture onto a sheet of pasta dough. Place another sheet of pasta on top and seal ravioli. Boil ravioli for 4–5 minutes.

Place four ravioli on a plate. Pour pesto sauce on top. Garnish with a basil leaf.

Watch a video from the 2011 Junior Chefs Rockfish Cook-Off

♦ ♦ ♦ They converge off Florida’s Gulf Coast, filling the water with ghostly rouge-colored clouds, causing hu-man respiratory irritation, and forcing the state to close shellfish beds. When the tiny, toxic plants associated with red tide showed up in Delaware’s Indian River Inlet in 2007—the first time they’d appeared north of Cape Hatteras, N.C.—John Schneider knew the pos-sible consequences.

“It’s nothing to mess with, that’s for sure,” said Sch-neider, who oversees the state of Delaware’s water re-sources management section and has faced red tide be-fore in both Florida and North Carolina.

Thankfully, a ready team of staff and trained volun-teers from the University of Delaware Citizen Monitor-ing Program took more than 100 water samples and supplied daily reports for two weeks after they initially identified the problem. That steady stream of infor-mation allowed the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) to provide the public with appropriate health advisories and to keep a close eye on the situation at little cost.

Though testing detected no toxin from the red tide phytoplankton, the event underscored the value of a stalwart group of staff and volunteers dedicated to watching our waters. For 20 years now, water quality monitoring volunteers trained through the UD- and Delaware Sea Grant-led program have fanned out across southern Delaware’s coastal region to visit as-signed monitoring sites and collect data such as clarity and dissolved oxygen, harmful algae and bacteria levels. In other words, they’re helping track what’s in the water to ensure safe swimming water, clean shellfish to eat and a healthy ecosystem.

Since the program’s inception, nearly 300 volunteers have contributed 25,000 service hours, an estimated $550,000 of donated time.

Delaware Sea Grant’s Joe Farrell, who helped start the program, and Ed Whereat, who currently runs it, said the primary users of the data are university scien-

tists and DNREC managers. The information is a key com-ponent of the state’s water qual-ity monitoring program, and DNREC, which partially funds the program, uses it in its bien-nial report to the Environmen-tal Protection Agency.

The program provides ser-vices to DNREC that would be logistically difficult and much more expensive for state per-sonnel to perform so routinely and over such a wide area, Schneider said.

“DNREC wouldn’t be able to adequately do its moni-toring work if it wasn’t for this program,” he concluded.

All those boots on the ground also have a community benefit, as each volunteer gains a greater understanding of coastal issues. South Bethany’s Dave Wilson started volunteering three years ago as a way to get involved and meet people after relocating from Connecticut. The retired engineer said it’s given him an appreciation of the things that affect water quality.

It’s nice to make a difference, too. Monitoring in South Bethany recently helped trigger efforts to filter 65 acres that border Route 1 and drain directly into one of the area’s canals. The contaminated runoff con-tributes to low oxygen levels that can kill fish and other wildlife.

“Water quality is a big concern of citizens here,” Wil-son said. “They have these canals in their backyards, and the last thing they want is water that won’t support life.”

As Wilson suggests, being involved with the program also is about preserving quality of life. The volunteers live on the coast because they want to drink their morn-ing coffee while watching an egret patrol the marsh or teach their visiting grandkids how to cast a fishing line just like their dad did. Degrade water quality, and so goes a piece of their happiness.


Delaware Sea Grant water monitoring program celebrates 20 years by elizabeth boyle

A volunteer takes a water sample as part of the Delaware Sea Grant water monitoring program. Photo by Derek Parks


corrosion research

The ocean’s powerful winds make the coast an ideal location for a wind turbine. Ironically, it’s that ocean air that presents a challenge to any turbine on or near the sea. The moist, salty air combined with a turbine’s metal-lic materials can result in corrosion, a destructive process able to bring any power-generating source to a halt.

Stephen Dexter, professor of marine biosciences in the College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment (CEOE), is working to address this threat to renew-able energy production. He is overseeing a two-year, Department of Energy-supported corrosivity study at the site of UD’s wind turbine.

“One of the primary reasons UD constructed the 2-megawatt wind turbine in 2010 was to facilitate sci-entific study of specific issues with this renewable en-ergy source,” CEOE Dean Nancy Targett said. “This is one of multiple projects fulfilling that purpose and one that could benefit Delaware’s pursuits in wind energy as well as those around the country and the globe.”

Studying corrosion has been a priority since the tur-bine’s inception. Dexter is an expert on the topic—he has extensively studied microbiologically influenced marine corrosion and is a well-known researcher in the field—and corrosivity is a critical concern for the wind industry. Understanding its impacts will lead to continuing en-hancements to turbine reliability and to decreased costs.

“One of the major issues is the cost per kilowatt-hour,” Dexter explained. “The reliability of the turbine and how long it lasts depend on the corrosivity of the site and the corrosion susceptibility of the materials used in construction. Corrosion itself is not the only thing that goes into reliability, but it is a big factor, and it has a direct bearing on your overall cost per kilowatt-hour for power generated.”

The first phase of the project began in September, 2010, when Dexter placed steel samples at three loca-tions around the Lewes campus. Two sets are right near

Roosevelt Inlet, one at ground level and one higher up. Another is at the base of the turbine, about 1,150 feet farther back from the water. This spring, Dexter plans to place samples at a fourth location, the top of the tur-bine. Those samples will be deployed when two gradu-ate students earn final certification required to ascend to the top of the 255-foot tower.

Each site has 12 samples of ordinary steel often used to study atmospheric corrosion. Dexter will pull three samples from each site every six months. The process will allow him to compare the levels of corrosion over time, at the various heights, and at different distances from the water. More importantly, it will allow com-parison between the Lewes site and locations up and down the East Coast where similar research has taken place. This ability will benefit those looking to estab-lish their own wind turbines elsewhere by helping them predict the corrosivity of their own location.

“The idea is to calibrate corrosivity and link it to factors that are common to the coastal environment,” Dexter said. “This way, all somebody would have to do is measure the air quality parameters of a given site anywhere in the world and make a pretty good guess as to whether their site is more or less corrosive than ours and what they need to do about it, if anything.”

A second phase of the project will look at the suscep-tibility to corrosion of the Lewes turbine itself and the electronic control systems inside of it.

For this phase, Dexter will use specially designed probes that will tell him in real-time when corrosion begins to damage critical working parts throughout the turbine. Each probe will simulate a particular turbine component. It will be made of the same material, and it will be placed right next to the turbine part of interest. The probe will work by monitoring the electrical current going through it over time—if the current for a certain voltage lessens, it tells Dexter corrosion has occurred on the probe and probably on the turbine component as well.

Turbine a lab for studies of corrosion, impact on birds by elizabeth boyle

OutdoorLaboratory

The wind turbine on the University of Delaware’s hugh R. Sharp campus in lewes is an outdoor laboratory, providing scientists an opportunity to study issues as different as corrosion and impact on flying creatures—both birds and bats.


“If the current just stays the same all the time you know it’s OK, but if it starts to decrease then you know that that type of material in the turbine environment is getting some damage,” he said, explaining that then turbine oper-ators can either schedule maintenance of that component right when it needs it, or redesign it to be more durable.

That’s what this project is all about, Dexter said, tak-ing steps to try and make a turbine more durable by dealing with corrosion.

“The coast is a hostile environment from the me-chanical and electrical points of view,” he said. “I’m in-terested in anything I can do to make power generation more efficient in the long run against this corrosion enemy that essentially affects everybody all the time.”

impact on birds, bats

Another study is considering what impact a turbine might have on birds and bats. The two-year project, which will assess the mortality risk of birds and bats around the turbine, is led by Department of Entomology and Wild-life Ecology researchers Jeffrey Buler and Gregory Shriver. It is funded by First State Marine Wind, a partnership between UD-owned Blue Hen Wind and turbine manu-facturer Gamesa. The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) also committed funds to support the effort.

A complementary project at the wind turbine that focuses solely on bats is being conducted by an ex-pert at Delaware State University and is funded by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

While a University-commissioned pre-construction study found that the turbine’s impacts on birds are likely to be minimal, that study also recommended that UD undertake post-construction monitoring. One motivat-ing factor is the machine’s location at the Lewes campus,

which sits along an important international flyway stopover for migrating birds. UD and Gamesa thus placed a priority on this re-search once the turbine was up and running (it began producing power in summer 2010).

The research also fulfills UD obligations under the federal National Environmental Policy Act. UD has been working closely

with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, DNREC and other stakeholders on the scope of the study.

“The results of the study will be useful for other coastal communities considering wind turbines and ought to provide some useful lessons for offshore wind energy projects,” said Jeremy Firestone, associate pro-fessor of marine policy. Firestone is a wind energy ex-pert and faculty member in CEOE and the college’s Center for Carbon-free Power Integration (CCPI).

The UD project began March 1, 2011, with spring and fall sampling periods focusing on birds and bats migrating through the area and summer and winter pe-riods on resident bird and bat flight activity.

During each of the four seasons, the researchers will use a variety of techniques to collect data. Acoustic monitoring, visual surveys, radar and thermal imaging will provide information on bird and bat traffic and flight patterns. Spring and fall carcass searches around the turbine will help determine the fatality rate.

Local and regional weather data, which will help re-searchers understand bird and bat movement, will be provided by a nearby meteorological tower and the Na-tional Weather Service.

“We want to monitor how much bird and bat activity there is in the vicinity of the turbine so we have a context for how much risk there may be for them to collide with the turbine,” said Buler, who specializes in using radar to track bird migration.

The scientists also want to know which birds and bats are moving through the area. Although the main focus is on migrating land birds and bats, other types of birds also inhabit the area near the turbine throughout the year. These include raptors, waterfowl, marsh birds and shorebirds.

The team expects to have a final report of data and analysis completed by December 2013. They will pres-ent findings at technical meetings and publish them in scientific journals. The researchers also will share their bat data with Delaware State’s Kevina Vulinec, an expert on the winged mammals whose research looks to determine the type of bats around the turbine and their behavior.

“These projects are a prime example of how the UD wind turbine can serve as a platform for important re-search that will benefit society,” Firestone said.

o u td o o r l a b o rato r y

“One of the primary reasons UD constructed the 2-megawatt wind turbine

in 2010 was to facilitate scientific study of specific issues with this renewable

energy source.” — Nancy Targett, CEOE Dean

For additional information

on the wind turbine and

other research projects in

the works, see www.ceoe.

udel.edu/lewesturbine.

UD graduate students are now trained and certified to facilitate research at the top of the wind turbine in Lewes.

Graduate students DeAnna Sewell and Blaise Sheri-dan have taken the idea of “hands-on learning” to a whole new level. Literally. The pair recently earned cer-tification to climb the University of Delaware’s 2-mega-watt wind turbine and then completed their first ascent to the top of the 256-foot-tall machine.

After climbing the ladder that scales the tower’s inte-rior, a process that took about an hour, they poked their heads out the top of the nacelle, which houses the tur-bine’s mechanical and electrical components. Stretch-ing out below them was UD’s Hugh R. Sharp Campus, a wide swath of brown marsh, and miles of Delaware Bay obscured by the clouds of an early spring day.

“I’m not really afraid of heights,” Sheridan said. “But you certainly found that out when you were sitting on top of the nacelle.”

The trip to the top is to be the first of many for the students who are to facilitate turbine research by placing instrumentation used to gather data. During their recent ascent they took measurements for steel samples to be mounted for corrosion research and diagnosed a malfunc-tion with a microphone being used in a bird and bat study.

The graduate students, who both have undergraduate engineering degrees, said being able to climb the turbine will benefit their future careers. Sewell, of Hobe Sound, Fla., is a master’s student in the Physical Ocean Science and Engineering Program who is developing computer models of underwater forces on offshore turbine founda-tions. Sheridan, a native of Tucson, Ariz., is earning his master’s degree in the Marine Policy Program and study-ing the environmental and social costs and benefits of wind energy. Sheridan is a College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment Magers Fellow this semester.

“This will make them extremely well qualified to work in the wind power field, as people regulating the wind industry, or as engineers in the wind industry,” said Willett Kempton, professor of marine policy, who advises both students. “Not only are they learning the theory and basic principles, but also the very practical experience.”

Kempton reviews research on the turbine as research director of the UD Center for Carbon-free Power In-tegration.

UD Facilities technicians Rodney McGee and Don Smith also were certified to climb safely, and have addi-tional training for assisting with maintenance operations.

While having trained UD climbers will benefit both students and the UD turbine research program, Kemp-ton said the university plans to tap only a select num-ber of students for the privilege due to cost and time involved with the training. The students and staff took three online training courses that covered first aid and safety regulations. Then they attended a two-day fall protection course where they learned additional safety measures and emergency procedures, and practiced using the turbine’s ladder, which is divided by several platforms so climbers can take breaks. Per regulations, at least two certified climbers must be on site for any access, but only one can use the ladder at a time.

By the day of their first climb, which the health and safety officer from the turbine’s manufacturer super-vised, the students were equipped with the proper safe-ty equipment (items such as a full body harness, hard hat, gloves and fire-rated clothing) and ready to go.

“I don’t think you would get this anywhere else as part of a master’s degree, and let alone have a turbine on your campus,” Sheridan reflected. “This is quite incredible.”

goiNg wiTh The wiND Students certified to facilitate research at top of wind turbine

Graduate student DeAnna Sewell atop UD’s wind turbine. Photo by Blaise Sheridan


Crab cakeWARSchefs compete in crab cake cook-off & chowder challenge by elizabeth boyle

Crab Cakes2 pounds lump crab meat1-1/2 cups mayonnaise2 tablespoons Old Bay1 tablespoon dry mustard2 eggs1/4 cup lemon juice1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce1 teaspoon Sriracha hot sauce1 cup Panko bread crumbs

1 teaspoon each salt and pepper1 cup olive oil1 cup flour

Pepper and Onion Jam2 red peppers1 jalapeno1 small white onion1 jar of red currant jam4 tablespoons red-wine vinegar

Crab Cake Cook-OffWinning Recipes

First PlacePan Seared Blue Crab Cakes with Pepper and Onion JamSteven M. Ruiz, Wilmington, Del.

Preparation instructions:In bowl, place mayonnaise, eggs, Old Bay, dry mus-tard, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce and Sriracha hot sauce. Mix well.

In a separate bowl, take 2 pounds of crab meat, slowly add wet mix and 1/2 cup of the Panko bread crumbs. Fold together lightly then pat out 4-ounce cakes with that mix. Then, with the remainder of Panko, lightly bread the outside of each cake. Sauté in olive oil until crispy and golden brown.

Pepper and Onion JamDice the peppers and onions finely and sauté until caramelized, deglaze with red-wine vinegar and stir in a 1/4 cup of the red current jam.

2 pounds lump crab meat1/4 cup mayonnaise1 egg plus 1 yolk1 tablespoon butter1/4 cup fine diced celery1/4 cup fine diced red and yellow

bell pepper1/4 cup shredded scallion2 tablespoons minced parsley1 tablespoon Worcestershire

sauce2 tablespoons course mustard1 tablespoon Crabanero brand

hot sauce1-1/2 tablespoons Crabanero-

bay* seasoning

1 cup Panko bread crumbs1/2 cup Matzo meal

Crabanero Remoulade1 cup mayonnaise1/2 cup ketchup1/4 cup minced celery1/4 cup minced red onion1/4 cup minced dill pickle1 tablespoon smoked paprika2 tablespoons course ground

mustard1 tablespoon Crabanero brand

hot sauce1 tablespoon minced capersMajick to taste

Second PlaceSussex County Low Country Crab Cakes with Crabanero Remoulade SauceCharles Parkhill, Millsboro, Del.

Preparation instructions:Sauté peppers, celery in 1/2 the butter until wilted. Turn off heat and add Worcestershire sauce and course mustard; toss, set aside and allow to cool before proceeding with remainder of recipe.

Blend pepper mixture with mayonnaise, 1 egg plus yolk, Crabanero, mustard, and 1/2 the scallion and bay seasoning. Pick through crab meat for shell or cartilage, gently toss crab meat with parsley, bay seasoning and enough Matzo meal to absorb some of the crab liquid (you may not use all Matzo meal, you don’t want to be accused of a crab cake with too much filler). Next add the pepper mayonnaise mixture GENTLY.

Allow to stand in cooler before you pat out the crab cakes. Portion crab cakes out, form into 3–4 ounce cylinders.

Toss Panko crumbs with remaining scallions, scatter on plate or sheet pan, and place cylindrical crab cakes on plate to coat with crumbs on plate. GENTLY press remainder of scallion crumbs into flat top of crab cakes. Add remaining butter to a medium high heat skillet (do not crowd). Brown one side then the next. Put into oven at 350° F for 10–15 minutes.

Remoulade SauceCombine all ingredients well, set aside (best if chilled for 15–20 minutes). Garnish plate with lemon, 1 crab cake and remoulade sauce.

*Crabanerobay is the original bay seasoned habanero sauce located in Millsboro, Del.

one of the highlights of the annual coast day is the gathering of the chefs, who compete for titles in the Crab Cake Cook-Off and the Chowder Challenge.

So coveted is the Crab Cake Cook-Off prize that the 2010 winner, Steven Ruiz, was in his third competition and came back after finishing second in 2009.

The panel of three judges unanimously chose Ruiz’s “Pan Seared Blue Crab Cakes with Pepper and Onion Jam” as the winning entry. They raved about the recipe, saying it was a classic cake with spices that amplified the taste of the crab.

“It was beautifully balanced,” said judge Peter Man-delstam, president of Bluewater Wind. “The reason it won was the balance of the spices and the crab.”

Ruiz, chef de cuisine at Maris Grove, a retirement community in Glen Mills, Pa., chalked his win up to determination. “I use the same base for the crab cake and change the accompaniment,” he said. “Last year I did something a little more mild, and this year I went for something with a little more zing.”

Ruiz squared off against seven other finalists in the 21st edition of the contest. He received a $200 cash prize and a sterling silver serving plate.

Second place and a $150 prize went to Charles Park-hill of Millsboro for his “Sussex County Low Country Crab Cakes with Crabanero Remoulade Sauce.”

Keith Starkey and Joe Joyce, both of Wilmington, took third place and $100 for their “Chesapeake Crab Cake.”

Other finalists in the competition included Carl Zampini of Newark, Pam Field of Rehoboth Beach, Crystal Maccari of Elkton, Md., Terri Carr of Lewes, and Jack Bartley of Lincoln University, Pa.

Judging the friendly competition along with Man-delstam were last year’s winner and Celebrity Kitch-ens chef Raymond Williams of Bear and Karen Falk of Coastal Cakes in Rehoboth Beach.

Coast Day guests also got a chance to try the winning soup in the Chowder Challenge. Prior to the event, members of the ACF First State Chefs Association held a competition among 10 of its members to determine which recipe they would serve.

The winning entry was created by Wil-liam Stant, president of the Delaware Technical and Community College Culi-nary Student Club. Stant combined clams donated by Seawatch International, of Mil-ford, with Red Bliss potatoes, butter, on-ions, celery, cream, Worcestershire sauce, parsley and garlic with one other very special ingredient—bacon—to pro-duce a winner.

Coast Day is organized by UD’s College of Earth, Ocean, and Environ-ment (CEOE) and the Delaware Sea Grant College Program.



Making the most of Coast Day by elizabeth boyle

♦ ♦ ♦ Not even a rainy, gusty day could keep crowds from celebrating the University of Delaware’s 34th an-nual Coast Day last fall.

The event, sponsored by UD’s College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment (CEOE) and the Delaware

Sea Grant College Program, was held Sunday, Oct. 3, 2010, at the Hugh R. Sharp Campus in Lewes.

“This is our opportunity to share what we do with you in a way that brings everything together in a single day,” Nancy Targett, CEOE dean and Delaware Sea Grant director, told visitors during the event’s opening ceremony.

The kickoff ceremony, like the rest of the day, was packed with activity. The Sierra Club presented CEOE

with a check to support educational signs about UD’s new 2-megawatt wind turbine at the Hugh R. Sharp Campus, the City of Lewes celebrated its involvement in the Si-erra Club’s Cool Cities initiative, and Tar-gett honored the winners of the Coast Day video and essay contests for school kids.

The ceremony also recognized CEOE’s 40th anniversary. Additionally, more than

150 alumni and friends attended a special Coast Day reception marking the occasion.

“Forty years of science—basic science, applied sci-ence—and outreach to the community,” said UD Presi-dent Patrick Harker. “We at the University, and I think the whole state and the region, are extremely proud of this college.”

While Coast Day attendance was less than 2009’s record-breaking 13,000 visitors, it was robust consider-ing the day’s weather.

Across the event, held at UD’s Hugh R. Sharp Cam-pus in Lewes, visitors braved the rain to do things such as tour UD’s Research Vessel Hugh R. Sharp, interact with marine critters at the touch tanks and attend lec-tures on everything from wildlife photography to cli-mate change.

Fitting with this year’s theme “Making the Most of Our Coast,” guests also had several opportunities—from lectures to interactive displays—to learn all about the new wind turbine, which operated at maximum power in the day’s strong winds and supplied all the energy for the event.

Throughout the day, hungry visitors stopped by the Chowder Challenge and Crab Cake Cook-Off com-petitions for a chance to taste contestants’ creations. Seafood lovers attended cooking demonstrations that taught them delicious recipes for fish, shrimp and sea scallops. They also had the opportunity to see two ice sculpture demonstrations of marine animal figures pro-vided by the First State Chefs Association.

Over at the Halophyte Biotechnology Center, Gene and Debbie Daffern of Lewes learned about alternative uses for the salt-tolerant plant seashore mallow. Together with their son Jarrett and attending their first Coast Day, the couple had also seen the composting demonstration, learned all about horseshoe crabs and much more.

They said they came to the event hoping to learn about the coast—and that’s what they’d done.

“There are some really interesting things going on here,” Debbie Daffern said. “We’ll be looking for it next year.”


about Coast Day 2011,

taking place on Sunday,

Oct. 2, visit the website

www.decoastday.org or

call 302-831-8083.

The marine critter touch tanks attract kidsof all ages. Photo by Margaret Tossey

u n i v e r s i t y o f d e l a w a r e60 61s o u t h e r n d e l a w a r e 61s o u t h e r n d e l a w a r e

Master of Engineering, Mechanical (MEM)Contact: Kathy Werrell

Phone: (302) 831-8302

E-mail: [email protected]

www.engr.udel.edu/outreach/ distance_learning.html

Master of Science in Nursing R.N. to M.S.N. ProgramContact: Anne Derbyshire

DeCaire

Phone: 1-800-UOD-NURS


www.udel.edu/DSP/degree programs.htm

Master of Science: Health Service Administration MajorContact: Anne Derbyshire

DeCaire




CONTINUING PROfESSIONAL EDUCATIONEastern Shore Medical SymposiumContact: Ruth Hurst

Phone: (302) 831-8837


www.pcs.udel.edu

Customized Learning Solutions Studies• Assessment of training

needs

• Customized learning solu-

tions

• Help coordinating educa-

tional programs

• Academic advisement for

employees

Contact: George Irvine

Phone: (302) 831-7858


www.pcs.udel.edu/organizations

CULTURAL AND COMMUNITy EVENTSOsher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Delaware, LewesContact: Anna Moshier

Phone: (302) 645-4111


www.lifelonglearning.udel.edu/lewes

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Delaware, DoverContact: Carrie Townsend

Phone: 302-734-1200 ext. 168


www.lifelonglearning.edu/dover

Cultural Affairs ProgramsContact: Lori Mayhew

Phone: (302) 831-3063


www.pcs.udel.edu/enrichment/studytrips

University by the Sea Lecture SeriesContact: F. Gary Simpson

Phone: (302) 855-1620


www.udel.edu/alumni

Cultural Programs in Southern DelawareContact: F. Gary Simpson

Phone: (302) 855-1620


UNIVERSITy LOCATIONSSouthern Delaware Professional Development Center, Carvel Education Building, GeorgetownContact: Tracy Owens Hudson

Phone: (302) 855-1634


www.udel.edu/sdpdc/

LAUREL

SEAFORD

MILFORD

HARRINGTON

SMYRNA

NEW CASTLE

KENT

KENT

SUSSEX

WILMINGTON

NEW CASTLE

C&D CANAL

MIDDLETOWN

NEWARK

DOVER

GEORGETOWN

LEWES

MA

RYLAN

D

PENNSYLVANIA

N Dupont Highway

13

W Dennys Rd

DELAWARETECHNICAL & COMMUNITY

COLLEGE–TERRY CAMPUS

UD AcademicCenter

9County Seat H

ighway

Tyndall Rd

Georgetown �

� Laurel

ELBERT N. & ANN V. CARVEL

RESEARCHEDUCATION

CENTER

Ennis Rd

Vaug

hn R

d

Seashore Highway

113

Dupont Blvd


COLLEGE–OWENS CAMPUS

UD AcademicCenter

JasonTechnology

Center

Arts &ScienceCenter

CarterPartnership

Center

UNIVERSITY OFDELAWARE

HUGH R. SHARPCAMPUS

Pilottown Rd

SmithLab

VirdenCenter

CannonLab

Lewes andRehoboth

Canal

DelawareBay

Lewes Beach

MarineOperations

Building

PollutionEcology

Lab

Pennsylvania Ave

Gree

nhill

AveArsht Hall

GoodstayCenter

StudentServices

Center

52UNIVERSITY OF

DELAWAREWILMINGTON

CAMPUS

MLK Blvd

2nd St

4th St

Was

hing

ton

StW

est S

t

King

StSh

iple

y St

Wal

nut S

t

4

13

13

95

Adam

s St


COLLEGE–WILMINGTON

CAMPUS

333 Shipley StUD Academic

Center

Christina River

UDSatelliteCampus Locations

60

UNIVERSITy PROGRAMSAccess Center for Adult AdvisementAcademic advisement, career

counseling and student

services for adult students

through the University’s

Division of Professional and

Continuing Studies.

Contact: Mary C. Miller

Phone: (302) 855-1630


www.pcs.udel.edu/access/

Associate in Arts programsA two-year program in the

liberal arts leading to four-

year degree opportunities.

Dover: Sharon Tucker

(302) 857-1214

Georgetown: J. Richard Bacon

(302) 855-1657


www.udel.edu/associateinarts

Academic Challenge Program for High School Students A college-school partner-

ship between Sussex County

school districts and the

Delaware Technical and

Community College Owens

campus in Georgetown. Col-

lege courses are provided at

the Owens campus through

Delaware Tech and the Uni-

versity of Delaware.


Phone: (302) 855-1630


www.dtcc.edu/owens/academic/ challenge

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Delaware in Lewes and DoverProvides people of retire-

ment age with opportunities

for intellectual and cultural

exploration.

Lewes: Anna Moshier

Phone: (302)645-4111


www.lifelonglearning.udel.edu/lewesDover: Carrie Townsend

Phone: (302)734-1200 ext. 168


www.lifelonglearning.udel.edu/dover/

UD Online distance learning ADVISEMENT ONLyUD Online is the University of

Delaware’s distance learning

program, which includes

courses, degrees and student

services via the web and

other distance learning tech-

nologies. It is offered through

the Division of Professional

and Continuing Studies.

Contact: Michelle Parnell

Phone: (302) 831-2741

Email: [email protected]

UD Online Office(302) 831-1053

Toll free: 1-800-597-1444

www.pcs.udel.edu/udonline/

Dual Enrollment for High School Students Contact: Judith Miller

Phone: (302) 831-3148


www.pcs.udel.edu/udonline/ highschools

UNIVERSITy DEGREES AVAILABLEAssociate in Arts/Liberal ArtsThe University of Delaware,

in cooperation with Delaware

Technical and Community

College, offers qualified appli-

cants the opportunity to pur-

sue a University of Delaware

Associate in Arts degree by

taking University of Delaware

courses at the UD Academic

Centers on the campuses of

Delaware Technical and Com-

munity College in Dover and

Georgetown.

Dover: Renee Fisher

Phone: (302) 857-1214


Georgetown: Mary C. Miller

Phone: (302) 855-1630



Associate in Arts/ Liberal Arts/OnlineThe Associate in Arts degree

is now available through UD

Online distance learning, with

courses delivered via the Web

and CD-ROM. This program

gives returning adult stu-

dents the freedom to pursue

the Associate in Arts even if

their schedules or geographic

location prevent them from

attending class on campus.

Contact: Judith Miller

Phone: (302)831-3148


www.pcs.udel.edu/udonline/aa

BACHELOR’S DEGREESBA/Criminal Justice/ GeorgetownContact: Mary C. Miller

Phone: (302) 855-1630


www.udel.edu/soc

Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and Natural Resources (Georgetown)Contact: Kimberley Yackoski

Phone: (302) 831-2508


Web page: http://ag.udel.edu

Contact: Richard Bacon

Phone: (302) 855-1657


http://ag.udel.edu

BS/Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional ManagementAlfred Lerner College of

Business and Economics

Contact: Donna Laws

Phone: (302) 831-6077


www.continuingstudies.udel.edu/udonline/hrim

Bachelor of Science in Nursing for the R. N. (B.S.N)Contact: Anne Derbyshire

DeCaire




GRADUATE DEGREESGraduate Certificate in Composite MaterialsContact: Kathy Werrell

Phone: (302) 831-8302



Master of Arts in Liberal StudiesContact: Joan DelFattore

Phone: (302) 831-6075


www.udel.edu/mals

Master of Science in Electrical & Computer EngineeringContact: Kathy Werrell

Phone: (302) 831-8302



SOUtheRn DeLAWARe ReSOURCeSA guide to University of Delaware programs and services


u n i v e r s i t y o f d e l a w a r e6262 u n i v e r s i t y o f d e l a w a r e

Academic Centers, Delaware Technical and Community College, Owens Campus, Georgetown, 155 Jason Center and 506 William A Carter Partnership CenterContact: Richard Bacon

Phone: (302) 855-1657



College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Elbert N. & Ann V. Carvel Research & Education Center, GeorgetownContact: Mark Isaacs

Phone: (302) 856-7303


www.rec.udel.edu

College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Cooperative Extension, DoverContact: Doug Crouse

Phone: (302) 730-4000


ag.udel.edu/extension/Kent

College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Cooperative Extension, GeorgetownContact: Mark Isaacs

Phone: (302) 856-7303


ag.udel.edu/rec/

College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment, Hugh R. Sharp Campus, LewesPhone: (302) 645-4212


www.ceoe.udel.edu/about/campuses/lewes.shtml

Alumni and University Relations – Dover/GeorgetownContact: F. Gary Simpson

Phone: (302) 735-8200;

(302) 855-1620


www.udconnection.com

Division of Professional and Continuing Studies ACCESS Center, Georgetown ACCESS offers academic and

career counseling


Phone: (302) 855-1630


www.pcs.udel.edu/access

Delaware Small Business and Technology Development Center, GeorgetownContact: William Pfaff

Phone: (302) 856-1555


www.delawaresbdc.org

UNIVERSITy SERVICES IN KENT AND SUSSEx COUNTIESDivision of Professional and Continuing Studies, Access Center for Adult AdvisementAcademic advisement, career

counseling and student

services for adult students

through the University’s

Division of Professional and

Continuing Studies.


Phone: (302) 855-1630


www.pcs.udel.edu/access/

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Delaware, Lewes and DoverThe Osher Lifelong Learning

Institute provides people of

retirement age with oppor-

tunities for intellectual and

cultural exploration.

Lewes: Anna Moshier

Phone: (302)645-4111


www.lifelonglearning.udel.edu/lewesDover: Carrie Townsend

Phone: (302)734-1200 ext. 168


www.lifelonglearning.udel.edu/dover/

Agricultural Sciences Cooperative Extension (Dover)Contact: Doug Crouse

Phone: (302) 730-4000


ag.udel.edu/extension/Kent

Agriculture Sciences Cooperative Extension (Georgetown)Contact: Mark Isaacs

Phone: (302) 856-7303


ag.udel.edu/rec/

Virden Conference and Retreat Center Hugh R. Sharp Campus, LewesContact: Jay Taylor

Phone: (302) 645-4100


www.udel.edu/conferences/locations/lewes.html

Institute for Public AdministrationContact: Jerome Lewis

Phone: (302) 831-8971


www.ipa.udel.edu/ipa/welcome.html

Institute for Public Administration, Water Resources Agency, Lewes campusContact: Nicole M. Minni

Phone: (302) 645-4353


www.wra.udel.edu/

Delaware Small Business and Technology Development Center, GeorgetownContact: William Pfaff

Phone: (302) 856-1555


www.delawaresbdc.org

Delaware Sea Grant Marine Advisory ServiceContact: James Falk

Phone: (302) 645-4235


www.deseagrant.org

ARTC – Alternative Routes to Certification (Newark)Contact: Frank Livoy

Phone: (302) 831-4598


www.udel.edu/artc

ARTC – Alternative Routes to Certification (Georgetown)Contact: Judy Cullen

Phone: (302) 855-1632


www.udel.edu/artc

UNIVERSITy Of DELAWARE: KEy INfORMATIONAdmissionsPhone: (302) 831-8123

fax: (302) 831-6905


admissions.udel.edu

Alumni RelationsPhone: (302) 831-2341

fax: (302) 831-2045


www.udconnection.com

AthleticsPhone: (302) 831-2186


www.bluehens.com

Athletics season ticketsPhone: (302) 831-2257


Development To make a gift to UD, contact

the Office of University Devel-

opment.

Phone: (302) 831-2104

fax: (302) 831-3045

www.udel.edu/development/

University of Delaware Librarywww.lib.udel.edu

University Newswww.udel.edu/udaily

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