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COOL News

IMCS 10th Anniversary Celebration -- March 10, 2003

On Monday, March 10, 2003 the faculty, staff, friends, and families of the Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences commemorated the Institute's 10-year anniversary. The event was held in the Trenton War Memorial, which is located on Memorial Drive in Trenton, New Jersey's historic Capitol Complex along the Delaware River. Inside, everyone gathered in the War Memorial Ballroom for the main event.

Various exhibits were shown, such as the Hudson Submarine Canyon Exploration, the Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve, various Undersea Vehicles and Technologies, the New Jersey Fisheries Research, the Science Education Enrichment Program, and “Into the Abyss” IMAX Preview. There also were poster displays of each research group within the Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences, such as the Coastal Ocean Observation Lab (COOL) group, the Marine Biology and Paleooceanography group, the Environmental Biophysics and Molecular Ecology (EBME) group, Nutrient Biochemistry group, the Ocean Modeling group, etc.

The event was highlighted with greetings and remarks by Jack Mullen, Master of Ceremonies & Chairman of the Board for IMCS, Dr. Joseph Seneca, Vice President for Academic Affairs of Rutgers University, and Dr. Fred Grassle, Director of the Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences.

Everyone was honored with special guest speaker, Dr. Sylvia Earle, who is known as the world’s deepest solo diver and an explorer-in-residence by the National Geographic Society.

Honored as part founders of IMCS were Former Governor Tom Kean, Dr. T. Alexander Pond, former University VP, and Dr. William O. Baker, former President/CEO of AT&T Bell Labs. Because Governor Tom Kean was unable to attend the event, his son, Assemblyman Tom Kean, Jr. accepted the plaque on his behalf.

Futhermore, the Coastal Ocean Observatory Lab was honored by Assemblyman Robert J. Smith's attendance at the 10 & 10 Anniversary Celebration. Assemblyman Smith is one of the primary sponsors for Assembly Resolution No. 209. He and Assemblyman Jeff Van Drew are the primary sponsors for this resolution. The assembly resolution was also supported with co-sponsors. Those that co-sponsored are Assemblymen Peter C. Eagler, John C. Burzichelli, Douglas H. Fisher, Gary L. Guear, and Paul A. Sarlo, and Assemblywoman Linda R. Greenstein. Assembly Resolution No. 209 was recently passed and filed by the Secretary of the State of New Jersey.

While meeting the various members of the COOL group, Assemblyman Smith said, "Before I go out fishing, I'll call you". Assemblyman Smith is an avid fisherman, and has seen how useful the real-time data are for recreational fishermen and other users. To ensure the continued usefulness of the web pages for New Jersey fishermen, Assemblyman Smith provided helpful input regarding their web pages, which the COOL group greatly appreciated. This allowed them to become aware of certain portions of the web pages which need further updating. 

After the presentations and speeches, faculty, staff, friends and families continued viewing displays and mingling.

Everyone enjoyed themselves. The event eventually winded down, and concluded by 8:00pm. "Happy Birthday, IMCS!"

Rutgers Notice of Event:
http://uc.rutgers.edu/medrel/viewArticle.phtml?ArticleID=3026

Outside News Coverage:
"RU helps turn the tide for oceans," March 11 in the Home News Tribune 
http://www.thnt.com/thnt/story/0,21282,703718,00.html

"Rutgers' scientists do it best", March 13th in the Home News Tribune
http://www.thnt.com/thnt/story/0,21282,704998,00.html