2nd Annual Salty’s Shrimp Boil Benefits Environmental Science Program
The 2nd annual Salty’s Shrimp Boil & Shanties on the Roof fundraising event—benefitting the College of Coastal Georgia’s Environmental Science program—was a success, thanks to the generous support of campus and local community members. The proceeds from the event will go towards providing more learning experiences and professional development opportunities for students in the program.
Despite the cold weather, attendees gathered on February 21 on the rooftop of the Campus Center, at the Brunswick campus, for the fundraiser. Student research posters were on display, which gave students the opportunity to discuss their research and career aspirations with the community. Program faculty also introduced their various areas of expertise and hopes for the future of the program. Attendees enjoyed dinner catered by Catch 228, live music performed by Levi Moore, and a silent auction that featured items such as artwork, photography, a two-night stay for two on Little St. Simons Island, a kayak tour, and more. Approximately 160 people attended the fundraiser, including alumni of the program, who shared their careers and experiences with current students.
Last year’s Shrimp Boil raised enough to support learning experiences and activities for 64 students. For example, student fees for the Maymester travel course were removed for 18 students; 10 presented their research at national and international conferences; 22 went caving in Northeast Alabama while camping at Cloudland Canyon State Park; and 20 attended a trip to the Everglades. Associate Professor of Environmental Science Dr. James Deemy shared that students from all levels and concentrations within the program—including biology majors and one post-baccalaureate student—went on that trip. Deemy described seeing the support from the community at the fundraiser, which surpassed last year’s event, as “incredible.”
“We had a great turnout on a cold night. For the community to come out and meet our students on a night that was 45 degrees and stay to interact with students—it’s unbelievable,” Deemy said. “We’re still a somewhat young program and already have a lot of support and backing for our students.”
The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science degree program provides an interdisciplinary framework for understanding, analyzing, and managing the environment. The program has six concentrations: natural science, environmental studies, marine science, geology, chemistry, and sustainability, policy, and management.
For trips like to the Everglades, students not only get to interact with the environment firsthand, but also learn important leadership skills alongside their peers.
“It was really fun watching the seniors get the juniors ready to take over those leadership roles, and watching the juniors set an example for the sophomores and freshmen who were able to go on the trip,” Deemy said. “The underclassmen are important because they’re learning how to lead the program going forward. The students have a big role in generating program culture for one another. Year after year, we see more teamwork and more engagement with one another. It’s inspiring to see the way students are driving a lot of what we do.”
Faculty and students of the Environmental Science program were thankful to the following sponsors of the Shrimp Boil: 93.7 The Bridge, Alan and Heather Tucker, Catch 228, Inc., Halyards Restaurant Group, James Deemy, Robin McLachlan, and Kimberly Takagi. They are also grateful to the community partners and donors of the auction: Chemours, Little St. Simons, Sea Palms West, Darkmaiden Designs Jewelry, Copper Tree Pottery, Reverie Handmade, On the Fly Outfitters, Dorchester & Shooting Preserve, Tiffany King, Heather and Alan Tucker, and Southeast Adventure Outfitters.
On the horizon for Environmental Science is the start of a new drone program and the growth of its scientific diving course that started last summer. For more information about the program, visit https://www.ccga.edu/academics/artsandsciences/environmentalscience/