West Jax Rotary

Dr. A. Quinton White
Executive Director, Marine Science Research Institute

As of July 1, 2008 Dr. A. Quinton White, is the Executive Director of the new Marine Science Research Institute (MSRI). Dr. White has left his post as Dean and turned over that role to Interim Dean, Dr. Douglas Hazzard. Pati Kalaitzis will remain Dr. White’s Administrative Associate.

“Dr. White welcomes this new challenge and the opportunity to focus on his academic field and the waterways and wildlife of Northeast Florida,” said Romesburg. “Building the new MSRI is the top priority for the University’s Board of Trustees. His charge will be to raise funds, break ground on the state-of-the-art facility, develop premier programs and pursue grants and contracts.”

According to White, preserving Jacksonville’s waterways through advocacy and education is the primary focus of the new institute. JU is partnering with several agencies to accomplish this, including St. Johns Riverkeeper, a privately-funded advocacy group, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, that will each have offices within the new building.

“This has been a dream of mine for 30 years, to have something like this on the river,” said White of the new MSRI, a 30,000-square-foot building to be constructed on JU’s riverfront. “Not only will it attract more students, it will become a signature program for the University.”

White, one of the area’s foremost marine biologists, has been at JU for more than 30 years. He came to JU in 1976, after completing his doctorate at the University of South Carolina. White served as chair of the Department of Biology and Marine Science and the Division of Science and Mathematics before taking over as interim dean of Arts and Sciences in 2000 and becoming dean in 2001.

White established JU’s major in marine science and is recognized as an expert in the field of marine biology. He often serves as a consultant to local, state and national policy makers and is also the founding director of Jacksonville’s Manatee Research Center.

Notes
President Mike opened the meeting by asking Vince McCormack to give the Invocation and Bill Gay to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Vince McCormack the presented the “Charity Grant Awards”

The first was to Dr. Pam Mularki for Project SOS. Project SOS helps many under privilege children.

The second was to Bryan Patterson for the Boy Scouts of America.

Wally Barrs present the “Police Officer of the Quarter” - Officer Kendall Anderson. Officer Anderson has a long history in the City of Jacksonville of helping keep children safe and providing year round activities for them. Officer Anderson is also an Ordained Minister.

Cecil Gibson and Preston Keyes made a very special Paul Harris presentation: Cecil Gibson’s father had always wanted to make his wife, Mary, a Paul Harris Fellow and Cecil fulfilled that promise today by presenting his mother to the Club as its newest Paul Harris Fellow. His mother was very proud and Cecil was definitely proud.

The Rotary Club of West Jacksonville and President Mike (not so humble, waving the trophy around) and saying to he height of his voice its ours again. The club recognized our team.

Bill Scheu introduced Kathy Farrer of Legal Aid and thanked all of our Attorney volunteers to help people with advice and legal work the underprivileged could not afford. Great Work!

Veronica James turned in her Red Badge of Courage for her premanent Blue Badge. She now has met every club member.

Will Croft introduced on Guest Speaker - Richard Nunn, Meteorologist Weather Man

Richard kept everyone in stitches as he explained weather patterns. One question asked by Jim Overton regarding the storm over the Atlantic which may have brought down the Air France Jet, Richard explained that the colliding of the Cold and Warm Fronts were like two small children in the back seat of a car with one small Happy Meal between them. Turbulence is bound to follow. Richard also talked about Global Warning and that there are two opposing opinions and none in between. He briefly described the Hurricane Season and how experts are predicting 11 total with 5 being major and the possibility of 2 hitting Florida.

Richard talked about forecasting weather either rain or shine. It is based on lots of things going on in the atmosphere, but he uses the corn on his big toe. Just joking. He looks at patterns of the past 10 to 20 years, the time of the year and how weather fronts move to predict what will happen. Just an educated guess based on historical data. Most is this data is from weather patterns over land.

Richard expressed his appreciation for being allowed to speak and looks forward to a return session later.

Visiting Rotarians:
Eddie Kirby and Clark Vargas — Southpoint (presented winning trophy to our humble president)
Henry Beckwith — Downtown
Pat Coleman — Downtown
Bert Ralston — Downtown
Marcus Drewa — South Jax
Ron Raymond — South Jax
Mark Meatte — Riverside

Rotary Guests:
Pam Mullarkey, Project SOS — Guest of Club
Julie Taylor and Earl Bright — Guest of David Taylor
Charlie Metzres — Guest of Jimmy Kelly
Brian Patterson — Guest of Ward Bramlett
Marilyn Gibson and Mary Gibson (wife and mother) — Guest of Cecil Gibson (Paul Harris presentation)
Larissa Ross — David Dunston
Kathy Para, JALA — Guest of Club
Nikki Frechette, outbound exchange student — Guest of Club
Monika Ignacz — Club’s inbound exchange student
Amanda Springer — Guest of Joe Springer

Birthdays
Ron Bongiovanni — June 8
Lee Wimberly — June 8
Dave Collier — June 10

Next Meeting - June 17, 2009
President’s Night at Timuquana Country Club.