VIMS 2011 Service Awards

The following remarks were read by Dean and Director Dr. John Wells during VIMS' annual Awards Ceremony on May 4, 2012 to honor recipients of the 2011 Service Awards. Citations for the 2011 Student Awards are also available.

For pictures of the Awards Ceremony, visit the VIMS Flickr page.

Outstanding Employee Awards

The Outstanding Employee awards are chosen by nominations received by the Awards Committee from all faculty, staff, and students at VIMS. They are awarded in the categories of Facilities/Safety/Trades, Research and Advisory Service, Technical Support, and Administrative Support.

Nepal Water Initiative flourishes with multidisciplinary collaboration across W&M

True multidisciplinary collaboration is at the heart of what is now known as the Nepal Water Initiative (NWI), a research effort led by scientists and scholars from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), the Global Research Institute (GRI), the Institute for Integrative Conservation (IIC), and the Religious Studies Department.

Encouraging news for underwater grasses in Chesapeake Bay, despite “mystery” losses around Gunpowder and Middle Rivers

An annual survey led by VIMS researchers mapped 76,462 acres of underwater grasses in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries in 2022. Their report, published today, documents a 12% increase in submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) in the regions mapped by the team, with lead researcher Dr. Christopher Patrick noting, “For the most part, we had a really encouraging year for SAV throughout the Bay.”

Facilities/Safety/Trades

The recipient of the 2011 Outstanding Employee in Facilities/Safety/Trades is Mr. Raymond Forrest.

Technical Support

The winner of the 2011 Outstanding Employee for Technical Support is Ms. Rita Crockett.

Administrative Support

The winner of the 2011 Outstanding Employee for Administrative Support is Ms. Cindy Hornsby.

Outstanding Faculty Research Award

This award recognizes a faculty member who has excelled in teaching, research, or advisory service. The recipient for 2011 is Dr. Robert "JJ" Orth.

Freeman Volunteer of the Year Award

This award is named for the late Robert Mallory Freeman, a former VIMS Council member and avid supporter. The winners of the Freeman Award for 2011 are Ms. Joana Blum and Mr. Bill Walsh.