Press Releases

June 5, 1998
Cousteau Society To Name Southampton College its North American Affiliate in Ceremonies This Sunday in La Rochelle, France

College's Marine Science Program Makes A "Perfect Match"

Contact:
Jane Finalborgo
Joe Dionisio
(516) 287 8313
Fax: (516) 283 4081

Southampton College of Long Island University will be designated the sole North American Affiliate of The Cousteau Society in ceremonies Sunday in La Rochelle, France. The College, located on the Atlantic Ocean on the eastern tip of Long Island, N.Y., was chosen to represent the Cousteau Society because of its outstanding undergraduate program in Marine and Environmental Science which has produced 30 Fulbright Scholars, a Marshall Fellow and a Udall Scholar over the past 23 years.

Francine Cousteau, widow of the late Jacques Cousteau, will announce the affiliation during ceremonies heralding the arrival of the society's newly-refurbished ocean-research ship Calypso at its permanent mooring on Sunday (June 7).

"It makes a perfect match because of the dedication of Captain Cousteau to students and teaching and the commitment of Southampton College to cleaning up the oceans of the world," said Mrs. Cousteau.

Among other things, the College will collaborate with the Society on linking its science classrooms by satellite directly to Cousteau expeditions and sending students to participate in voyages aboard Calypso II once it is finished.

The affiliation also means that Southampton College will be the U.S. repository for all films, documents and information concerning the Cousteau Society. Any requests by other universities or associations in North America for information will come through the College.

"It is fitting that in the 'Year of the Ocean' a College with such an excellent reputation in Marine Science be the focal point in North America for the society's mission," added Mrs. Cousteau.

"We are honored to be associated with an organization that bears the name of one of the pre-eminent individuals in the field of marine science," said Robert F.X. Sillerman, Chancellor of Southampton College. "That the Society has selected our College for this prestigious honor is a magnificent testament to the sterling quality of our Marine and Environmental Science curriculum and the commitment to excellence of our faculty and staff."

Southampton faculty research interests include Pfiesteria piscida (the so-called "cell from hell"), dolphin behavior, and the evolution of bay scallops.

Added David Steinberg, Long Island University President: "We have one of the finest marine science programs in the world, and we are thrilled that Mrs. Cousteau recognizes that quality and wants to work with us. This will create new learning opportunities for our students. In particular, the excitement of working aboard the Calypso will add a powerful dimension to their preparation for leadership in these fields."

Ryan Sheeler, a marine science major, and 1998 class valedictorian, traveled to La Rochelle for the ceremony with Jerry Cohen, a member of the College's Board of Overseers and Vice Chairman of Cushman and Wakefield.

Southampton College

Established by Long Island University in 1963, Southampton College has produced 32 Fulbright scholars in the last two decades, many from its nationally-recognized marine and environmental sciences program. This small campus in the heart of the world-famous Hamptons is also known for its writing and arts programs taught by many of the area's distinguished authors and artists, for its programs in gerontology, its SEAmester aboard a traditional sailing ship, and its Friends World Program of global education for social change. Southampton is the location of WPBX FM 88.3, flagship of the Long Island Public Radio Network. For more information: www.southampton.liu.edu.

The Cousteau Society

The Cousteau Society is a nonprofit, membership-supported organization dedicated to the protection and improvement of the quality of life for present and future generations. Founded in 1973 by Captain Jacques-Yves Cousteau, the Society now has more than 150,000 members worldwide. The Society believes that only an informed and alerted public can best make the decisions necessary to protect and manage the world's natural resources. Cousteau teams have explored the water system throughout the world for over forty years. For more information: www.cousteau.org.