Stew Tweed Fisheries Scholarship Recipients Announced at 11th Annual Ocean Fun Days Event

Sandy Hook, NJ: The New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium (NJSGC) has announced and awarded its 2014 Stew Tweed Fisheries and Aquaculture Scholarships, established in memory of Stewart Tweed, a 27-year veteran of the New Jersey Sea Grant Marine Extension Service, who passed away in early 2007. The scholarships were presented by Claire Antonucci, Executive Director and Director of Education at NJSGC, and Tom Hayes, Director of Community Relations at New Jersey Natural Gas during Ocean Fun Days at NJSGC’s headquarters on Sandy Hook on Sunday, May 18th, 2014. Also on hand for the presentation was Stew’s wife Gail Tweed.

Since 2008, two scholarships have been awarded annually to support a graduating high-school senior and an undergraduate/graduate student pursuing studies in marine fisheries or aquaculture, or an outstanding research or technology project focused on fisheries or aquaculture. The winners of the 2014 Stew Tweed Fisheries and Aquaculture Scholarships are Samuel Coakley, a resident of Wall, NJ and a graduating senior at The Marine Academy of Science and Technology (M.A.S.T) at Sandy Hook who will attend Rutgers School of Environmental & Biological Science this fall .Samuel was a NJROTC Platoon Commander, Class Vice President, and President of the Creative Arts Club, among other leadership roles. His career goal is to be a Professor of Marine Science. The second recipient is Amanda Wenczel of Hamilton, NJ.  Ms. Wenczel is pursuing her doctorate at Rutgers University in Ecology and is currently conducting work at the Haskin Shellfish Research Lab. She has research experience in habitat restoration and commercial fisheries enhancement in shellfish populations along the U.S. east coast.  Her career goal is to become a Marine Resource Manager and Educator.

The New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium is an affiliation of colleges, universities and other groups dedicated to advancing knowledge and stewardship of New Jersey’s marine and coastal environment.  NJSGC meets its mission through its innovative research, education and outreach programs. For more information, visit NJSGC on the web at njseagrant.org or on social media at facebook.com/NJSeaGrant and twitter.com/NJSeaGrant