{"id":884,"date":"2018-01-22T15:42:31","date_gmt":"2018-01-22T20:42:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/uci\/november-2016-newsletter\/"},"modified":"2025-03-18T15:29:12","modified_gmt":"2025-03-18T19:29:12","slug":"november2016","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/uci\/newsletters\/november2016\/","title":{"rendered":"November 2016 Newsletter"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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<\/a>Register Now for Future of the Ocean Symposium & Ocean Champions Luncheon<\/h2>\n\n\n
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The UCI’s signature annual event returns Dec. 7 with a panel discussion focused on ocean priorities for the next administration and Congress. Following the symposium we’ll present Champion of the Ocean Awards to former New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science President Donald Boesch, and the NJDEP’s Bill Rosenblatt and Elizabeth Semple. The symposium is free and open to the public; tickets are required for the awards luncheon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Event Information Page<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n

<\/a>Rockefeller and Monmouth Universities Host National Ocean Exploration Forum in New York City<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Over 100 leading figures in marine science gathered in New York City on Oct. 20-21 for the 2016 National Ocean Exploration Forum, “Beyond the Ships: 2020-2025,” co-hosted by The Rockefeller University and the Monmouth University Urban Coast Institute. At the forum, scientists and ocean explorers presented an array of amazing discoveries from recent expeditions and discussed how emerging technologies such as drones and ROVs will transform the field over the next decade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The forum was the first installment in the Marine Science & Policy Series of four scientific conferences to be co-hosted by Rockefeller and Monmouth annually on alternating campuses. Read a full summary of the forum<\/a> or visit the forum home page<\/a> for downloadable papers and other materials from the event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Links: News Coverage of National Ocean Exploration Forum<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UCI-RU National Ocean Exploration Forum received coverage from more than 300 news sources in over 30 countries. Below is a sample.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scientists find 500 U.S. seabed vents of powerful greenhouse gas<\/a>, Reuters<\/p>\n\n\n\n

500 ‘Champagne’ Methane Seeps Discovered Off Pacific Coast<\/a>, Live Science<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remotely operated vehicles expand reach for ocean researchers<\/a>, WorkBoat Magazine<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exploring Vast ‘Submerged America’ Discovered 500 Bubbling Methane Vents<\/a>, Eurasia Review<\/p>\n\n\n

<\/a>Ocean Champion Ballard Recalls a Life Exploring the Sea and Charts Course for Future Discoveries<\/h2>\n\n\n

The Monmouth University Urban Coast Institute (UCI) awarded its highest honor, the National Champion of the Ocean Award, to world-renowned ocean explorer Dr. Robert Ballard during a special ceremony in New York City on Oct. 21. The award was presented by Monmouth University President Paul Brown and UCI Director Tony MacDonald at the 2016 National Ocean Exploration Forum, co-hosted by Monmouth and Rockefeller universities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ballard recounted some of his discoveries from over 50 years and 150 expeditions at sea, including the wrecks of the Titanic<\/em>, the
Bismarck<\/em>, the USS Yorktown<\/em>, and President Kennedy’s PT-109. Although he said unearthing human history undersea tends to capture the public’s imagination most, Ballard said he’s equally or more proud of his natural discoveries, such as his 1977 discovery of deep sea hydrothermal vents, which scientists believe could be the origin point for life on earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The two-day forum gathered more than 100 of the world’s leading marine scientists and ocean explorers, with discussions heavily focused on how emerging technologies such as autonomous drones or remotely operated vehicles would impact the field in the coming years. Ballard challenged the scientific community to employ diverse crews and value their unique insights as much as the technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“If you really expect to play the game, you better have a corps of exploration that looks like the country,” Ballard said. “Every child needs to see their face in the corps to know they can play.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UCI Director Tony MacDonald said one of his conclusions from the forum was that ocean exploration was at a “pivot point” due to machines that will make it possible to cover more ground at a faster pace and a new generation tech-savvy explorers rising up the ranks. He credited Ballard for embracing these changes and being ready to take advantage of them in future expeditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“He is always thinking about not only the research, but the talent, the next generation, the students; the communications about what he’s doing, telling the story about what ocean exploration is,” MacDonald said. “He is a full product.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ballard is the president of the Ocean Exploration Trust, which owns and operates the E\/V Nautilus;<\/em>, and the founding director of the University of Rhode Island’s Center for Ocean Exploration; a former commander in the U.S. Navy; and an explorer-in-residence for the National Geographic Society, among many other accomplishments. He received an honorary degree from Monmouth University in 2004 and served as that year’s commencement speaker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The Champion of the Ocean Award was established in 2005 to honor individuals who have demonstrated sustained leadership in keeping our coasts and oceans clean, safe, sustainably managed, and preserved for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations,” Brown said. “Our roster of distinguished Ocean Champions is a ‘who’s who’ of leading voices in oceanography, marine science, and policy.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

National Academy of Sciences President Marcia McNutt and Texas Congressman John Culberson, chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies, sent letters of congratulations to Ballard for receiving the award.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“You grew up in San Diego next to the ocean, and have talked about how growing up with the ocean inspired you to explore it,” Culberson wrote. “Over the years, you have passed your zeal for exploration onto thousands of students – including me.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The forum was the first of four Marine Science & Policy Series conferences to be co-hosted by Rockefeller and Monmouth annually on alternating campuses. Monmouth University students Maria Ardila-Jimenez, Taylor Donovan, Kylie Johnson and Cayla Sullivan assisted with the two-day event’s organization and participated in its sessions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Four additional honorees will be recognized at the 2016 Future of the Ocean Symposium and Champions of the Ocean Awards Luncheon<\/a>, to be held Dec. 7 at Monmouth University. They are Joint Ocean Commission Co-Chair and former New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science President Donald Boesch, and David Rosenblatt and Elizabeth Semple of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. The symposium will be free and open to the public; tickets are required to attend the luncheon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additional Links<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photos from the event<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2016 National Ocean Exploration Forum home page<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Champion of the Ocean Award<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n