New USA Stokes School of Marine & Environmental Sciences
2021 & Beyond: The Birth of Stokes School of Marine & Environmental Sciences
Born from a bold vision to expand marine and environmental science education, The College of Arts & Sciences proposed a new school for marine and environmental sciences. Inspired by successful programs at Duke University and the University of California at Santa Barbara, the plan emphasized a curriculum that focused on applied and basic research in marine and environmental students with programs for students to attain academic, research, and professional degrees enabling them to immediately enter the job force.
Foundational Goals:
- Expand existing programs:
- M.S. Marine Sciences
- M.S. Marine Conservation & Resource Management
- M.S. Environmental Toxicology
- Ph.D. in Marine Sciences
- Increase academic opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students by launching
new degree programs:
- B.S. Environmental & Sustainability Sciences
- B.S. Marine Sciences
- M.S. Marine and Coastal Spatial Planning
- Create education and research opportunities in the coastal and marine environment
- Increase prominence of effort through service
A Wave of Expansion
2021
The proposal for the School of Marine & Environmental Sciences was approved by the University of South Alabama Commission of Higher Education in March 2021.
A $2 million grant from Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act for the Healthy Ocean Initiative promised funding for water quality monitoring and seafood safety efforts.
Twenty thousand square feet of newly renovated space including classrooms and teaching laboratories in the Education & Outreach Building was dedicated to the School of Marine & Environmental Sciences.
The school launched the Bay Watch Program as a multi-year program to monitor and track environmental trends in Mobile Bay.
Degree Program Launched:
- Minor in Marine Sciences
2022
As enrollment began to trend upward, the School of Marine & Environmental Sciences' faculty recruitment phase was intensified with focuses on coastal ecology and sustainability.
A new Fisheries Lab Complex with advanced instrumentation for real-time research was integrated into the Education & Outreach Building.
The school launched The Gulf Scholars Program to work on community and environmental projects.
The Environmental DNA (eDNA) initiative was launched help communities monitor water quality and identify contamination sources by tracking fecal matter sources using metagenomics.
Degree Programs Launched:
- B.S. Environmental & Sustainability Sciences
- B.S. Marine Sciences
2023
Following a $2 million gift from Dr. Steven and Angelia Stokes, the Department of Marine & Environmental Sciences is renamed the Angelia and Steven Stokes School of Marine and Environmental Sciences.
Construction began on the renovation of the Education and Outreach Building on the main campus. At a cost of $8 million, the expansion added 13,000 square feet to the first floor, which now houses an advanced analytical lab with instrumentation valued at $2 million and a 600 gallon circular tank in the foyer.
Degree Program Changes:
- M.S. in Environmental Toxicology→M.S. in Environmental Sciences.
- The B.S. in Environmental & Sustainability split into two distinct concentrations: Natural Sciences & Sustainability.
2024
A ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 7, 2024 marked the official move in date for Stokes School of Marine & Environmental Sciences
The School of Marine & Environmental Sciences now encompasses 32,000 square feet of space within the Education and Outreach Building.
Degree Programs Added:
Minor in Environmental Sciences
The B.S. in Environmental & Sustainability Sciences is split into two different degree options offering two concentrations:
Degree Program Launched:
- Ph.D. in Environment & Society
Degree Program Changes:
M.S. in Marine Conservation & Resource Management expanded partnerships with federal and state agencies and non-profit organizations, began offering academic certificates in GIT and Applied Statistics, and refined the non-thesis option.
Charting New Waters: The Future Awaits
Stokes School of Marine & Environmental Sciences will continue to offer education and research opportunities in the coastal and marine environment,maintain our commitment to community through service, and expand and enhance curriculum offerings. The interdisciplinary nature of marine and environmental sciences will link the fields of biology, business, chemistry, engineering, geology, physics, sociology and others with a focus on sustainability.
Conducting research from the Arctic to the Antarctic— and wide-ranging ecosystems in between— our faculty lead advanced research across the globe. As a regional leader, we are deeply committed to advancing the sustainable use of coastal and marine resources. We are a leader in the State of Alabama's conservation efforts and a strong competitor with other universities in the region.
Help Seed the Future with Your Investment
The University of South Alabama has invested approximately $2.5 million in renovating new research and teaching space on campus for the Stokes School of Marine & Environmental Science. Additional investments from individuals, corporations and foundations in new faculty and equipment are needed. Recruitment of students can be facilitated through creating new undergraduate scholarships and graduate assistantships.
For Giving Options, Please Contact One of the Following:
| Department | Location | Phone Number | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Andrej Wierzbicki |
Dean College of Arts & Sciences |
(251) 460–6280 | awierzbicki@southalabama.edu |
| Dr. Sean Powers |
Stokes Chair for the Environmental Resiliency Center |
(251) 460–7136 | spowers@southalabama.edu |
| Margaret M. Sullivan |
Vice President Development & Alumni Relations |
(251) 460–7616 | msullivan@southalabama.edu |
| William Holley |
Senior Director University Development |
(251) 460-7697 | wholley@southalabama.edu |
| Lindsey Kendall |
Development Office |
(251) 460-7032 | lindseykendall@southalabama.edu |