Special GCRL Science Cafe Honors Dr. Overstreet

On Tuesday, August 30, over 50 people came together in person and virtually to pay tribute to the life and career of Professor Emeritus, Dr. Robin M. Overstreet. Gathering at the Marine Education Center’s Conference Center at Cedar Point, friends and family of Dr. Overstreet told stories and shared experiences about a man who was a pioneer in Gulf of Mexico marine parasitology and was recognized locally and internationally as a renowned scientist and outstanding scholar. A distinguished panel of Overstreet’s colleagues and co-workers shared their personal stories which described a dedicated researcher, a caring father, and an educator who inspired a generation of students. The event was recorded and is archived on the Marine Education Center’s Facebook Page.

Shown in the picture below are panelists (L-to R) Dr. Bill Hawkins, Dr. Reg Blaylock, Dr. Jeff Lotz, Mrs. Marie Mullin, Mr. John Ogle, and Dr. Michael Andres

Tea Time Reopens at

Gunter Library

Tea Time at Gunter Library reopened on September 13 with an assortment of teas and hot cocoa and some recreational games and puzzles. Games include Scrabble, Trivial Pursuit, and Yahtzee. Summer Field Program (SFP) generously allowed us to borrow games they have available for SFP students. Tea Time originally began in Fall 2019 at the request of graduate students looking for a place to gather and relax for a little while in the afternoon. It was closed in April 2020 due to Covid restrictions regarding inside gatherings.

GCRL-Gunter Library Eaglet Food Pantry Opens

On September 13, 2022, Gunter Library opened its self-serve food pantry in partnership with the Marine and Estuarine Graduate Student Association (MEGSA) and the Food Pantry at the Gulf Park campus. Available foods are protein sources—tuna and peanut butter, easy to prepare items—ravioli and mac & cheese, and ramen soup, and staples—canned pears, apple sauce, tomato sauce, canned vegetables, and orange slices. All GCRL affiliated students, faculty, and staff are welcome to come to the GCRL-Gunter Library Eaglet Food Pantry and utilize the available resources free of charge from 8 am to 5 pm Monday-Friday. The pantry is located just inside the Gunter Library by the bulletin board.

MEGSA is supporting the food collection for the pantry by having collection boxes at Cedar Point in the Research Building and in Caylor, Oceanography, and Research buildings at the Halstead/East Beach campus. We are accepting donations of non-perishable foods—cans and bags with an emphasis on easy to prepare/quick meals. No state money is being used to purchase food—it is a donation-based project. GCRL interim Director Kelly Darnell approved and supports the project. 

This is the first pantry to open in a USM library. It is modelled on the “Cub Pantry” at the Earth and Mineral Science Library at Penn State University and is a response to the statistic: 30% of college students experience food insecurity and it affects their academic performance. 

Gunter Library Collected Teddy Bears for

North Bay Civitan Club

In August, Gunter Library hosted a collection box for new and gently used teddy bears the for 13 annual “Bears on Patrol” project sponsored by the North Bay Civitan Club. Megan Le, Gunter Library graduate student assistant (January-August 2022), is shown here with the box of new and gently used teddy bears presented to the Club on Saturday, September 10. These bears joined the approximately 180 bears collected by the Civitans.

All the teddy bears were presented to State Highway Patrol Troop K in Jackson County at the annual teddy bear drive thru held at the Promenade Shopping Center in D ‘Iberville. Children involved in stressful situations that involve Troop K patrol officers are given bears as a comfort support item. This is the fifth year Gunter Library has hosted a collection box for the Civitans.

COA and MAR Friday Seminar Series

The School of Ocean Science and Engineering (SOSE) hosts two seminar series during the Fall and Spring academic semesters. Attendance is open to all SOSE staff, faculty, and students.

GERS 2022 is coming to GCRL on October 27-29!

Registration for the GERS 2022 Meeting is open

Register by October 7 to secure your early bird registration.

For more information about the meeting, including travel and lodging options, field trips, the plenary speaker, and meeting schedule, visit the 2022 GERS Meeting website.

Attention students! GERS is offering student travel awards!

We are accepting applications for student travel awards to attend the 2022 GERS Meeting. Travel awards of $300 will be offered to students (graduate and undergraduate) to help defray the costs associated with travel and participation in the GERS meeting.  See website for eligibility and application information. 

To renew your GERS membership, please see the website. Membership dues are $30 per year ($20 per year for students) and can be paid by credit card or PayPal account. Memberships run on a calendar year basis (Jan 1-Dec 31).  

We look forward to seeing everyone in Ocean Springs this fall! 

GCRL Science Café -

Climate Change and Sea-Level Rise

Tuesday, September 27th - 6:00 - 7:00 pm 

at the Marine Education Center

Dr. Renee Collini, PLACE Program Coordinator

Renee has a dual appointment as a Coastal Climate Resilience Specialist with Mississippi State University and Sea Grant. Focused on sea-level rise, Renee facilitates the flow of information between researchers and decision-makers to improve science application. The lead of the Program for Local Adaptation to Climate Effects: Sea-Level Rise, she integrates a multi-state network of stakeholders, researchers, NGOs, and state and federal agencies to build tools, programs, and projects to address gaps in sea-level rise observing, research, and decision-making in the northern Gulf of Mexico. She has collaborated on projects and efforts that have improved coastal community and environmental resilience and has led development of tools that have been applied throughout the Gulf and across the United States. Collini is a recognized leader in resilience across the Gulf of Mexico and is serving as an author on the Fifth National Climate Assessment Coastal Effects Chapter.

This Science Cafe will be hybrid, participants may join via Facebook Live (see link below to MEC Facebook page) or Zoom.

You are invited to a Zoom webinar.

When: Sep 27, 2022 05:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

   Every month on the Fourth Tue, until Nov 22, 2022, 3 occurrence(s)

   Sep 27, 2022 05:30 PM

   Oct 25, 2022 05:30 PM

   Nov 22, 2022 05:30 PM

   Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.

   Monthly: https://usm-edu.zoom.us/webinar/tZ0vcu6hqjgoHNdfJx-KDCPJG37cnUU9J07y/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGhrD4tE9CWsh-ERpx5AI_4KPPwiHZBgo1ZmjX9Tgt3QTPcEbEVMbxKJYH6

Topic: Science Cafe

Please click the link below to join the webinar:

https://usm-edu.zoom.us/j/89257943263?pwd=MF1lkWa07RBj7fLGrmSNdbPB64kJnc.1