On a very hot and humid June 12th, friends and faculty of Morgan State University gathered at Jefferson Patterson Park at the laboratories of PEARL for another Open House. PEARL stands for Patuxent Environmental Aquatic Research Laboratory.
Displays were set up outside for information on Morgan State University (MSU), Jefferson Patterson Park and other corporations that support their work. Inside, you could take a tour of the laboratories to see some of the research being done. There was a very interesting display of an Atlantic Sturgeon, which is an oddity in fish has it has no scales or teeth but sucks it food in through its mouth. The assistant allowed attendees to touch it to feel the satiny smooth skin.
On the porch the MSU Jazz Combo was playing. At 11 am, everyone was asked to assemble in the big tent to have lunch provided by Adams Ribs. The program opened with the pledge, followed by Wondell Brown accompanying a recording of the National Anthem on his trombone and an inspirational reading from Charles Russell Lee.
Everyone was welcomed to the Open House by Rev Dr Frances Murphy Draper, Vice Chairman of the MSU Board of Regents and Dr David Wilson, President of MSU. Dr Kelton Clark, Director – MSU PEARL, spoke on supporting the future of the projects. He told the audience that we have one Earth, one Chesapeake Bay and one moment in history to make a difference. He said that donations helped make PEARL one of the premier institutes for environmental studies in the nation. The donations provide students and faculty with the resources to make a difference.
Dr Timothy Akers, Assistant Vice President-MSU Research Innovation and Advocacy introduced Darryl Britt, Founder and President of APPRIO Inc, who sponsored the event. APPRIO presented a check for $15,000 to MSU.
Delegate Deb Rey introduced RDML Dean Peters, Commander Naval Air Warfare Center/ Aircraft Division / Assistant Commander for Research and Engineering, Naval Air Systems Command. Commander peters signed the Educational Partnership Agreement with MSU, insuring the research will continue.
Delegate Tony O’Donnell introduced Mike Frederick, Vice President LNG Operations at Dominion Cove Point LNG Terminal. Vice president Frederick presented MSU with the Dominion Foundation Environmental Stewardship Award for $50,000. That money will continue the research and monitoring of the Chesapeake Bay, especially the bluecrabs.
The final presentation was the signing of the letter of intent with the New York Academy of Sciences with Dr Victor McCrary, Vice President MSU Research and Economic Development and T C Westcott, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.
Following the presentations, everyone was invited to tour the facilities or take a tour on the research vessel.
Margit Miller / Calvert Beacon
