Breathtaking coral reefs, exotic fauna and a subtropical
climate: just a few of the striking features that have made Bermuda
one of the world’s top vacation hotspots. But this 20-mile landmass
in the North Atlantic is also famous for its ecological studies,
serving as the perfect backdrop for groundbreaking environmental
research.
With this in mind, a group of 11 St. John’s University students
traveled to beautiful Bermuda this past summer for a two-week
course exploring a variety of significant environmental issues.
Entitled “Discover Bermuda,” this unique St. John’s program was
first suggested five years ago by alumnus Joseph Smetana ’69TCI. A
former member of St. John’s Board of Governors, Smetana currently
serves on the Board of Directors for the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum
and Zoo and recognized that both organizations shared a similar
objective.
“St. John’s features a major Biology program,” Smetana
explained. “And the Bermuda aquarium, of course, is highly involved
in Marine Biology, so it seemed to me like a great fit. Bermuda is
unique in that it perfectly illustrates the effects that man’s
activities have on the environment, so I knew that it would be the
ideal setting for students to get a real-life look at biology in
action.”
University President Rev. Donald J. Harrington, C.M., agreed that
the Discover Bermuda program would be worthwhile and asked Dr.
Frank Cantelmo, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences, to
flesh out the course and serve as its instructor.
“My goal with Discover Bermuda was to develop a course that
would take various disciplines into consideration,” Cantelmo said.
“Within this two-week program, we tackle subjects including
ecology, sustainability, business, economics, politics and
religion.”
St. John’s students of various majors participated in the program,
and they were joined this year by four local students from Bermuda
Junior College. These young men and women have lived in Bermuda
their entire lives and added an extra layer of diversity to the
course.
“I was pleasantly surprised by the response of the local Bermuda
students,” Cantelmo added. “They provided a fresh perspective that
helped our students tremendously as we explored the area’s diverse
habitat.”
The program’s itinerary afforded students the opportunity to
explore carbon-dated caves, examine lush forests and even snorkel
in the beautiful Sargasso Sea. Each day, students wrote reflections
on what they were studying and, for their final project, wrote
op-ed pieces about relevant social issues that intrigued them.
“Our
students are marvelous, and I was amazed at how passionate they got
about what they were studying,” Cantelmo said. “They took strong
opinions on topics ranging from how to eliminate overpopulation to
ways we can fix the water shortage. They understand that it takes
time to create sustainable change, but I loved the enthusiasm and
optimism that the students displayed.”
Smetana, who has worked, traveled and lived in Bermuda at various
points in the last 50 years, joined the students on this year’s
trip and enjoyed watching Cantelmo’s course come to life. As in
years past, Smetana also contributed scholarship money to help many
of the students afford the program.
“Some of these kids have never even stepped out of Brooklyn, let
alone the United States,” Smetana said. “It’s really special to
give them this opportunity to broaden their geological exposure,
and Dr. Cantelmo’s genius is that he made the program
interdisciplinary. Every student, no matter what they’re studying
within the University, can gain something from this trip.”
Student reaction to Discover Bermuda has been overwhelmingly
positive, many citing it as a life-changing and transformative
experience.
Katelyn Liesner ’12C, an Environmental Studies major, found the
‘hands-on’ nature of the program to be its most dynamic
feature.
“It’s so rare that you can discuss a topic in lecture and then
go out on a field trip the next day to bring that subjects to
life,” she said. “The course really helped me to visualize what I
learned and was overall an amazing experience.”
In addition to benefitting students, Discover Bermuda, according to
Dr. Cantelmo, has the potential to make significant global
impacts.
“Investing in young people is essential if we hope to change some
of the environmental attitudes we have today,” Cantelmo noted. “The
students at St. John’s want to help improve our society, so in the
long run, I believe that this program not only benefits these young
men and women, but benefits our entire world.”
If you would like to contribute to the Discover Bermuda program,
please visit www.stjohns.edu/give and select
“Discover Bermuda” in the Designation drop-down menu.