Dear SML community

 

I am writing to share some important news. After a decade with SML, I have decided to end my wonderful tenure as the John M. Kingsbury Executive Director. I am taking the next step in my career and am happy to report that I am moving to a nonprofit that focuses on building resilience and sustainability for coastal communities. It is a great application of everything I have learned over the last 21+ years of my career, especially on this magical island in Maine. I will be departing in July to make this exciting change. Rest assured, that there will be no impacts to any summer programs or activities. I will see some of you at Take a Bite Out of Appledore and Navigator’s Circle Day.

 

It has truly been an honor to lead such a wonderful organization whose mission I wholeheartedly believe in. I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to work with the amazing SML community, including you. Together we have significantly grown enrollment, programs, research, public programs, fundraising. We have blended science, education, history and culture, and engineering to create an incredible sustainable mission that impacts so many, so deeply each summer. We are truly doing today’s science and training tomorrow’s scientists!

 

Thank you all so much for your help over the years. The support you offer SML matters so much to our community: students, faculty, researchers, Alumni, all the Shoalers. The success of SML over the last ten years is a testament to your commitment to the mission and institution!

 

I have been working with SML staff and leadership in this transition. I am very confident that SML will thrive in the months and years ahead! Now, here is an important question: Who will meet me at volunteer weekend?

 

With a very full heart for this community and all we have accomplished,

Dear SML Community,  

 

To follow Jenn’s sentiments, I’d like to express how much her leadership and commitment are valued and to summarize the incredible legacy she is leaving to SML.

 

Shoals was Jenn’s labor of love for 10 years. While maintaining SML’s historic dedication to academic excellence in marine science, she transformed the program through growth in public programming, philanthropy, a substantial sustainability plan, and a campaign for belonging at Shoals. In this work, she also moved the organization from an annual six-figure deficit to a balanced budget. 

 

In Jenn's effort to stabilize the budget process, the operating budget grew steadily. This has led to an expansion of the permanent staff which now includes a Director of Community Relations, Communications Coordinator, and leads for the waterfront and engineering staff. The development of the fundraising endeavors of SML has been exponential thanks to the creation of an annual fund, the Navigator’s Circle giving group, and donor gifts equaling over a million dollars many years. 

 

Thanks to Jennifer’s leadership, SML now provides over $500,000 annually in scholarships including UNH Scholars, a diversity scholarship, and students from any home institution. These efforts have knocked down barriers to attend academic programs and greatly increased diversity among the student body. 

 

Jennifer also led the development of the SML Belonging Plan and ensured that actions and steps have begun to welcome all to fully participate in the SML community. In addition, new programs were built such as the Scientist in Residence Fellowship, Shoals Undergraduate Research Group, Artist in Residence program, and an array of programs serving both the public and under-resourced high schools.

 

Research endeavors have also grown under Jennifer’s guidance. The most notable changes include a rise in engineering projects, the multifaceted Tern Conservation Program, and the first permanent SML science staff hire with Dr. Liz Craig as Director of Seabird Science.

 

The SML community is grateful for the inspiring progress that has been made under Jenn's guidance for the last 10 years. We wish her the best of luck in her next endeavor. Our search for SML’s next Executive Director has launched, please help us spread the word. You can find more information here.

 

We are beyond thrilled to announce that Dr. David Buck has agreed to serve as our Interim Executive Director of the Shoals Marine Lab. As SML’s Associate Director, Dave has managed the academic, outreach, and research programs at SML for the past 6 years. Please join my Cornell University counterpart, Esther Angert, and I in welcoming Dave Buck to this important role.

 

Sincerely,

Diane Foster

Director, UNH School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering

The SML community never ceases to amaze us! In response to last month’s call to action for replacing our inflatable boat fleet, a generous Cornell ’79 and SML ’77 alumnus has committed $6K in matching funds to support this effort. We are grateful to this donor for inspiring matching gifts to maximize the Shoals experience for our community with new Zodiacs!

 

Now, we need your help in achieving our goals with this campaign! We hope to raise enough funds for two Zodiacs - each approximately $12K. If you are interested in making an immediate and impactful gift to SML, please do so through our SML giving pages with these special instructions so we can track this campaign:  

 

OR

 

Our staff and students are very excited about this campaign - thank you for giving to the new inflatable fleet which is central to our waterfront operations!

Not enough duct tape to save these boats!

Current SML Zodiacs in rough shape.

Our summer seminar series of “Rock Talks” has featured some amazing speakers so far! And we have plenty more to come.

 

Did you know you can join us live for these free events each Tuesday night at 8pm? Head to our website to see our upcoming speakers and register for the webinars.

We invite you to join us for several days of drawing, painting, and printmaking! This workshop is an opportunity for artists to immerse themselves in the rugged seascapes and landscapes of the Isles of Shoals and translate Appledore Island's vibrant palette onto paper or canvas.

 

Daily demos, sketching sessions, and instructor reviews will culminate in a final art exhibition for the Appledore Island community. Plus, each day will present new opportunities to learn about marine life and explore Appledore Island's unique coastal and marine habitats.