Press Releases

May 15, 2000
Mary Beth Rew of Cortland Named Valedictorian of Class of 2000 at Southampton College

Contact:
Suzanne Donovan
(631) 287 8313
Fax: (631) 283 4081

Southampton, NY -- Mary Beth Rew, a dairy farmer's daughter who grew up dreaming of the sea, will give the valedictory speech May 21 at Southampton College of Long Island University overlooking the ocean. She earned this honor for maintaining a perfect 4.0 grade point average in four years majoring in Marine Science.

Rew, who at 22 will graduate summa cum laude, is the daughter of Patricia and Dennis Rew of Cortland. Though she grew up on a farm first learning to milk cows by standing on a stool, Rew said she knew she would love the sea before she ever saw it.

"There was never a time when I wasn't thinking about the ocean," said Rew. "I didn't see (it) until I was seven years old when my family took a trip to Florida...Now, it's what I live for; it's how I get through the day."

Though she often entertains questions about cows, Rew says she would much rather talk about marine mammals. She studied their behaviors as an undergraduate, but hopes to research the genetic structure of whales and dolphins in the future. She intends to pursue an advanced degree studying Ecotoxicology, a branch of science that focuses on the toxic effects of pollutants, such as pesticides, in marine mammals' tissues.

"Top predators like whales can be indicators of health for a whole environment," said Rew. "Some populations of whales that are being studied have so much contamination in their blubber that it could be considered toxic waste."

But graduate school will have to wait. Her love affair with the ocean has translated into a passion for sailing. In August she will take another 3,000-mile tour, her third as part of SEAmester, the College's unique ocean study program that takes place aboard a large schooner. Rew got hooked on sailing her sophomore year, her first voyage on the nine-week intensive learning program, and has worked subsequently as a deck hand on the ship, the Harvey Gammage.

"My appreciation of the outdoors has continued to grow throughout my time at Southampton College, as I have participated in programs where hands-on learning is fundamental," she said. "I have always tended to learn more efficiently in such an atmosphere, where a break from formality opens doors to an understanding of the natural world."

She notes there are a lot of similarities between farming and working on a sailboat, "but you have to appreciate manual labor." Most people don't understand why anyone would spend her days at back-breaking tasks for very little financial reward, she adds. "Only someone who has grown up this way can grasp what it means to put in an honest day's work shoveling manure, and go to sleep at night feeling satisfied with one's occupation in life."

Clearly she has an affinity for discipline, long hours, and arduous labor. Southampton has one of the top undergraduate marine and environmental science programs in the country. She earned the perfect grade point average while working her way through school, including assignments as a tutor in Genetics. She was also awarded a scholarship by the Evan Frankel Foundation, based in East Hampton. Last summer, she completed an internship assisting in a study of the Antarctic Weddell Seals. She recorded and analyzed extensive video footage of the seals' behaviors taken from a "crittercam," a camera mounted on backs of the animals.

"She is a bright, dedicated student who strives to be the best she can be at whatever she does," said her advisor Stephen Tettelbach, professor of marine biology. She is not only an adept observer in the field, but an accomplished artist. Adds Tettelbach, "she is one of the best students I have had the pleasure of teaching here."

Rew has opted to participate at graduation in taking the Graduation Pledge of Social and Environmental Responsibility. Southampton College has joined more than 30 colleges and universities nationwide in supporting the Pledge, a voluntary agreement that students will take into account the environmental and social consequences of any job they accept upon graduation. Students who take the pledge will wear a green ribbon at the May 21 ceremony.

Following Mary Beth Rew's valedictorian speech, singer/composer Billy Joel will deliver the commencement address. Also receiving honorary degrees will be Robert B. Gagosian, ocean scientist and director of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, the world's largest independent marine research and education organization; New York artist Chuck Close; and Native American historian Frederick Hoxie.

At this 34th annual commencement Dr. David Steinberg, president of Long Island University, will confer degrees upon 317 undergraduates and 34 graduate students.