Press Releases

May 30, 2002
Southampton College to Honor Atlantis Marine World

Contact:
Jane Finalborgo (PR@southampton.liu.edu)
(631) 287 8313
Fax: (631) 283 4081

Southampton College of Long Island University is proud to announce that Atlantis Marine World is this year's recipient of the "Cooperative Education Employer of the Year Award." Atlantis Marine World, located along the Peconic River in Riverhead, has a fascinating array of marine life exhibits, a sea lion show, educational programs, and a submarine simulator ride.

Atlantis Marine World will be honored by members of the College's Cooperative Education staff at a reception and luncheon on June 5, starting at noon at Southampton College.

Atlantis Marine World's mission is to provide visitors with a fun and exciting educational experience. Their goal is to capture the visitor's imagination and emphasize the importance of marine life and environmental preservation. Education is their top priority, and they provide a wide range of educational opportunities to schools, teachers, local groups and individual families. Atlantis has formed a partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension to work with the education department and The Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation, New York State's only licensed stranding and rehabilitation facility.

Atlantis Marine World has been a strong supporter of the Southampton College Cooperative Education program. A total of 33 Southampton students have been placed in Co-op education jobs there in the past two years. This summer the College has eight Co-op students working there as aquarists, marine mammal interns and touch tank educators. Many of the full-time employees of Atlantis are Southampton College Alumni.

"The staff is some of the hardest working people I have ever met, putting in long hours and doing more in a day than one would think possible. They care deeply about the aquarium because they have worked so hard on it," said Jessica Jarett, a Marine Biology major who worked there this spring. "Their attitude towards the place is contagious, and made me want to do my absolute best on every task."

Alisha Loftus, a Psychobiology major said, "This placement has only strengthened the goals I have for myself. It makes me more eager to go on and study, research, and teach what I have learned to others, the way that I have been taught."

Amanda Carey, a Junior Psychobiology major, did such an outstanding job as a Co-op student, that she was hired as a full-time trainer. "Atlantis fostered a positive atmosphere that promoted questions and learning. The more questions you asked, the more responsibilities they allowed you to have. Due to my enthusiasm, I was able to participate in feeding sessions and was the first intern to announce the introduction for the Sea Lion Show," said Amanda, who is now actively involved in recruiting other Southampton students and graduates to work at Atlantis.

"The strong link between Atlantis Marine World and Southampton College embodies the true spirit of Cooperative Education," said John McCrudden, Director of the College's Cooperative Education Program. "Atlantis has given our students the support and opportunities they need to get experience in the real world. In return, we feel that our students have contributed a lot of hard work and new ideas."

Through the College's Cooperative Education Program, students are placed in jobs related to their major for which they receive academic credit. More than 100 businesses and institutions on the East End participate in the Co-op Program. Last year's winner of the Employer of the Year Award was the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of the Hamptons. For information on the Co-op Program or to participate, call 287-8273.