SEERS Celebrates 40 Years

The Southeastern Estuarine Research Society (SEERS) celebrated its 40th anniversary during the Spring 2014 SEERS meeting. Returning to Savannah, GA, the site of the first SEERS meeting in May 1974, the meeting was held 13-15 February at the Coastal Georgia Center. Loren Mathews (Georgia Southern University) served as local host and organized a great meeting with an excellent venue and food and a banquet at a local brewery, with live music and coffee stout floats for desert! Despite a severe ice storm, 75 people attended the meeting, about half of which were students. Five students received travel awards to present their research at the meeting:

• John Brooker, College of Charleston
• Amanda Croteau, University of Florida
• Geoffrey Smith, University of Florida
• Lauren Hehman, University of South Carolina
• Alexandra Norelli, University of South Carolina

The program, adeptly assembled by Program Chair, Carla Curran (Savannah State University), included 19 poster presentations (13 by students) and 25 oral presentations (9 by students). Student presentations were outstanding and the award winners were:

Best Undergraduste Oral Presentation
John Brooker, College of Charleston

Best Undergraduate Poster Presentation
Alexandra Norelli, University of South Carolina

Best Graduate Oral Presentation
Lauren Hehman, University of South Carolina

Best Graduate Poster Presentation
Cameron Brinton, Savannah State University

3x3 Award (Poster best understood from 3 ft. away in 3 minutes as judged by students.)
Ashton Arnold, Savannah State University

SEERS President Geno Olmi (left, wearing a vintage SEERS tee-shirt) with the 2014 student presentation award winners (from L to Right): Ashton Arnold (Savannah State University), Alexandra Norelli (University of South Carolina), John Booker (College of Charleston), Cameron Brinton (Savannah State University), and Lauren Hehman (University of South Carolina).	SEERS Presidents: Past & Present (from L to R) - Clay Montague (1992-1994), Eric Koepler (2008-2010), Marie Delorenzo (2006-2008), Bob Virnstein (2012-2014), Denise Sanger (2010-2012), Geno Olmi (2014-2016), and Dennis Allen (1990-1992) at the SEERS 40th Anniversary celebration.

A highlight of the program was a special session commemorating the anniversary entitled: “Forty years of SEERS: four decades of estuarine research and management in the southeast.” Organized by Geno Olmi, the session featured a brief history of SEERS and four presentations that examined changes in estuarine research and management. The four invited speakers were: Dennis Allen (University of South Carolina), Bob Van Dolah (South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Retired), Merryl Alber (University of Georgia), and Clay Montague (University of Florida).

At the Spring SEERS meeting, we also welcomed the following new officers: Program Chair, Loren Mathews (Georgia Southern University) and President Geno Olmi (NOAA). Following the meeting, Nikki Dix (GTM Estuarine Reserve) was selected as the new Member-at-Large. SEERS members expressed their appreciation to outgoing Board members Denise Sanger (Past President; South Carolina Department of Natural Resources), Carla Curran (Program Chair; Savannah State University), and Ed Proffitt (Member-at-Large; Florida Atlantic University). Bob Virnstein transitioned from President to Past-President, remaining on the Board.

SEERS appreciates the support of the following Spring Meeting Sponsors: North Carolina Sea Grant, South Carolina Sea Grant, Grays Reef National Marine Sanctuary, Georgia Southern University, Savannah State University, Ogeechee River Keeper, and Southbound Brewery. Sponsorships support student participation in the meetings.