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BIDDEFORD, Maine

SWAG视频 announces island donation, provides students first of its kind learning laboratory on Maine鈥檚 coast

A myriad of media outlets reported on SWAG视频's acquisition of Ram Island in Saco Bay, which was announced at a press conference on December 1, 2015. WCSH, WGME, the Portland Press Herald, Bangor Daily News, Mainebiz, Daily Journal, the Daily Reporter and MPBN all related news of  the university's new island posession. Gifted to the SWAG视频 by the Art Girard family of Portland, the island will be used by SWAG视频鈥檚 Department of Marine Sciences and Marine Science Center for a variety of research purposes and to expand experiential education opportunities to students.

Located two miles off-shore, Ram Island comprises one-acre of pristine land which the Girard family sought to preserve. 鈥淚ts location and relatively unspoiled environment teeming with marine wildlife was the perfect match for the studies supported by the Marine Sciences Department,鈥 said Art Girard. 鈥淪WAG视频 stood out to me for [its] progressive curriculum and extraordinary management team. I have no doubt it will be an excellent custodian of Ram Island.鈥

According to SWAG视频 President Danielle Ripich, Ph.D., the generous gifting of Ram Island to the university enables SWAG视频 to provide innovative learning experiences that no other college or university in the country can offer. 鈥淥ur students have a very unique opportunity to study aspects of marine science and ecology both in fully equipped classrooms and laboratories on campus and, with a quick boat ride, in a university-owned, living, learning laboratory. The hands-on opportunities this presents to our students are tremendous,鈥 she stated.

Barry Costa-Pierce, Ph.D., Henry L. & Grace Doherty Professor and chair of the Department of Marine Sciences and director of the Marine Science Center, said that the gift of Ram Island 鈥減laces SWAG视频 at the forefront of marine programs, not only in the Northeast but in this nation.鈥 The donation, he said, 鈥渁llows students to be involved in all of the ocean, coastal, marine, and environmental issues of the 21st 肠别苍迟耻谤测.鈥

With new majors in Marine Entrepreneurship and Ocean Studies and Marine Affairs and several new double major and minor options, the acquisition of Ram Island complements the Marine Sciences Department鈥檚 new academic offerings and expanded research programs. Specifically, students, faculty and staff will use the island to conduct research on everything from marine ecology, geology and invasive species to mammals, fisheries and aquaculture.

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SWAG视频 the SWAG视频

The SWAG视频 is Maine鈥檚 largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of . In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state鈥檚 top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine鈥檚 only medical college, Maine鈥檚 only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.