12:56 p.m., July 21, 2010----The University of Delaware College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment (CEOE) has announced the formation of a Dean's Advisory Council. The group's mission is to provide advice regarding the achievement of strategic objectives and to help garner resources needed to meet college goals.

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“This is a very exciting moment that bridges the history and future of CEOE,” said Dean Nancy Targett. “To establish the leadership and perspective that these dedicated volunteers can provide will help take us to the next level.”

Speaking to the group at its inaugural meeting in Newark on June 28, UD President Patrick Harker said that one purpose of the council will be to provide a pulse on the trends happening outside the University. In fact, the group includes UD alumni and friends of the college with extensive backgrounds in areas that complement CEOE initiatives.

Each member is also very engaged with college activities, Targett said.

“We are so pleased to be working with this group. These volunteers really understand the mission of CEOE,” Targett said, “and they are eager to help achieve our vision and goals as they relate to the Path to Prominence.”

The council's founding members are:

• Brian F. Atwater, a 2010 inductee to the UD Alumni Wall of Fame who earned his doctorate in geology in 1980 and is a geologist with the U.S. Geological Survey at the Department of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Washington;
• David Einolf, a 1984 graduate with a master's in marine studies and founder of Endeavor EHS LLC;
• Peter Mandelstam, founder and president of Bluewater Wind LLC;
• Evelyn Maurmeyer, who earned her master's and doctorate in geology in 1974 and 1978, respectively, and is president of Coastal and Estuarine Research Inc.;
• Patricia Robertson, a 1972 graduate with a master's in biology and retired teacher; and
• Nick Vrolijk, who received marine studies master's and doctoral degrees in 1988 and 1992, respectively, and is vice president of manufacturing at Celgene Corp.

The college looks to grow the group to 12 to 15 volunteers with the help of its founding members, said Claire Birney, director of development, who has been assisting the dean with recruitment. Members serve three-year terms and also are charged with serving as a sounding board for the dean and helping to hold programs to the highest standards of excellence.

After meeting with Harker, council members headed to the Hugh R. Sharp Campus June 29. In a daylong meeting at the Lewes campus, they heard a state-of-the-college report from Targett, learned about and discussed CEOE's vision and goals, and toured the research facilities.

Vrolijk, who chairs the council, said he was motivated to join the group in part by his enthusiasm for the missions of the college and University, as well as his respect for Targett.

“I was very impressed by the efforts that the college has made,” Vrolijk said. “It is really at the forefront of interfacing new technologies and issues that are timely and critical for Delaware and the nation.”

The group plans to meet again this fall.

Article by Elizabeth Boyle
Photo by Claire Birney