By JOHN KLINE
john.kline@goshennews.com
For the first time in its nearly 40-year history, the marine biology program of Goshen High School is joining forces with the marine biology department of Goshen College.
Having already left for the sunny Florida Keys this past Thursday, Goshen High School’s annual marine biology trip is currently several days under way.
Some big changes are in store for the team this year, however, not the least of which is the recently approved deal between Goshen High School and Goshen College allowing the high school students to use the college’s marine biology facility at Layton, fla. for their lectures and lab work.
In addition to the upgraded digs, the partnership between the two educational institutions also has some sentimental value for Carl Weaver, founder and longtime leader of the Goshen High School marine biology program. Weaver will be returning this year to the Florida resort where he first got his start all those years ago.
“I started this program in 1974, and we were able to stay at the Lime Tree Bay Resort that year because of the kindness and help of my two college professors, Frank Bishop and Jonathan Roth, the leaders of the Goshen College marine biology program at that time,” Weaver said. “It happened to be the same place Goshen College was using for their program, so they made the call and told those people to give us a chance, and that’s how I got my start down there.”
Weaver credits the influences of Bishop and Roth as the primary factor behind his choice to lead a marine biology program of his own.
“Those are the two people that really helped me launch my career at Goshen High School,” Weaver said. “I’m deeply indebted to them and to the college for this entire effort, starting from our beginning year up to this collaboration effort.”
After his first year leading the program, Weaver said the location of the high school biology trip — while always in Florida — tended to vary from year to year, resulting in a weakening of the ties between the high school and college programs.
However, as fate would have it, Weaver credits the kindness and help of another two Goshen College professors for this year’s newly reformed partnership.
“This return was made possible with the help of college professors Ryan Sensenig, director of the environmental science program, and Duane Kauffmann, who is actually retired from Goshen College but is still working with their marine biology program,” Weaver said. “Duane I think was the driving force behind this. He went with us on the trip last year, and while we were there I started talking about finding a different location for this year’s trip, and we began talking about a collaboration between Goshen College and the high school.
“After that discussion, I started talking with Goshen College officials and Ryan Sensenig, who leads the college marine biology program, and it just seemed like the pieces fit and the time was right, and we worked out an agreement,” he said.
As part of the agreement, the high school team will be allowed to dock and store their pontoon boat at the Goshen College facility with the understanding that the college marine biology team will be allowed access to the boat during their annual trip in May.
“For their part, the high school group will also be helping to renovate some of the facility for us, installing new cabinets, things like that, so this really is a partnership that will continue to strengthen both of our programs,” said Sensenig of the newly-minted agreement. “We’re really trying to emphasize that the marine station is a great place to do collaborative work, not just at the college level, but the high school level as well.
“So you could say we’re really, really excited about this partnership,” he said.
Weaver is in full agreement.
“I’m just very grateful for the possibility of working again with Goshen college, and personnel from Goshen College like Ryan and Duane,” Weaver said. “I think it’s a win-win situation for both Goshen College and the high school, and our hope is that a number of the students who go with us on these trips will consider Goshen College as a viable option for their continued education.”
Local News
A team effort in marine biology
Goshen College, Goshen High School create partnership in Florida Keys.
- Local News
-
-
Jefferson Elementary students spend the day at Camp Amigo
Pontoon rides, nature hikes, wagon rides to the marsh, parachute games, fishing, learning about animal signs, a petting zoo — these activities and more were part of the recipe for a fun-filled day at Camp Amigo / Amigo Centre for the 450 kindergarten through third-grade students from Jefferson Elementary School May 8.
-
Board approves housing grant agreement
NAPPANEE — Several agreements related to a housing grant the city received were approved at Monday’s Board of Public Works meeting.
-
John Payne named new Wakarusa principal
NAPPANEE — With just days remaining until the close of the 2012-13 school year, the students and staff of Wakarusa Elementary can enjoy their summer break with the assurance that once the new school year begins this fall, there will be new leadership at the helm.
-
Cake Cottage opens at Concord Mall
A 4-by-8 foot cake to feed a group of Boy Scouts is a big cake. It is just one of many that Rhonda Potucek has created during the many years she has been baking. Potucek has opened Rhonda’s Cake Cottage in Concord Mall.
-
EDUCATION: 84 percent pass third-grade IREAD-3 exam
INDIANAPOLIS — Sixteen percent of Indiana third graders failed to pass a high-stakes reading proficiency test that could determine whether they can move on to the fourth grade. Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett announced the final results of the IREAD-3 test at a press conference Tuesday.
-
Community members take time to honor fallen officers
More than 100 people attended an annual Law Enforcement Memorial service Tuesday evening at the Goshen Police and Courts building. The event is held each year to remember officers who have been lost in the line of service and to honor those who currently serve.
-
Goshen City Council paves way for sidewalk ordinance
Bringing a close to several months of discussions and delays, the Goshen City Council on Tuesday approved a controversial sidewalk ordinance prohibiting people from blocking pedestrian traffic within the city limits. The final vote was unanimous.
-
Woman hurt trying to douse Dunlap house fire
A Concord Township woman was injured when she tried to extinguish a fire at her home Tuesday.
-
Syracuse teen scores in top 3 percent in state
Andy Dixon, 13, Syracuse, recently received an academic achievement award from Ball State University and the Center for Talent Development at Northwestern University.
-
911 Director: Upgrades needed with county 911 center taking over Nappanee
GOSHEN — The Elkhart County 911 Center has received preliminary approval of $1.3 million in upgrades in connection with recent county plans to close down and absorb the Nappanee 911 Center.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Defense Rests in John Edwards Trial
GM Says It Will Stop Paying for Ads on Facebook
911 Call: Confusion at Home Where Mom Shot Kids
Jury Convicts Steve Powell of Voyeurism Charges
Skechers to Pay $40 Million for Bogus Claims
Coffee May Be Key to Living Longer
Police to Groom of Slain Bride: Turn Yourself In
Laurie Fine: My Life Has Been Destroyed
FTC: Skechers Deceived Consumers With Shoe Ads
FBI Confirms Leak Probe on Al-Qaida Plot
Romney Calls Obama a 'Disappointment'
Honda Unveils New Robotics-powered Scooter
NJ Gov., Mayor Channel Seinfeld in Video Parody
Blood Drive for Woman With Flesh-Eating Disease
AG Race Tops Oregon Primary Interest
Obama Welcomes Beckham, Galaxy to White House
Raw Video: Mladic's Genocide Trial Under Way
Court Records Detail Zimmerman Injuries
Local Community Prepares for G8 Summit
New Guidelines for US Nuclear Plants
