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BIDDEFORD, Maine

91AV marine biology student receives NOAA Hollings Scholarship

Troy Wilcox '11, University of New England marine biology major, has received the 2009 Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 

A native of Washburn, Maine, Wilcox chose marine biology because of his love for the ocean and all living creatures within it.  He has always enjoyed fishing and hopes to make a difference by protecting the ecosystems within the ocean to insure that future generations will have these same resources available to them. 

Wilcox worked for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries for the past two summers as a brook trout survey technician and is currently working for the Maine Department of Marine Resources studying alewives and Atlantic salmon.

Wilcox's appointment began this May with a one-week orientation program at NOAA headquarters in Silver Spring, MD.  During the orientation, he met the NOAA administrator, senior program managers, and scientists from NOAA's organizations. 
 
 "I learned about the many different career opportunities available at NOAA at this orientation and how they could be a big part of my future goals.  I am looking forward to making my final plans for next summer's internship," states Wilcox.  This scholarship provides academic assistance for two academic years (September 2009 through May 2011) and a summer internship with NOAA in 2010.

The NOAA Ernest F. Hollings scholarship program is designed to: 1) increase undergraduate training in oceanic and atmospheric science, research, technology, and education and foster multidisciplinary training opportunities; 2) increase public understanding and support for stewardship of the ocean and atmosphere and improve environmental literacy; 3) recruit and prepare students for public service careers with NOAA and other natural resource and science agencies at the federal, state and local levels of government; and 4) recruit and prepare students for careers as teachers and educators in oceanic and atmospheric science and to improve scientific and environmental education in the United States.

About the 91AV

The 91AV is Maine’s 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’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s 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.