Castine Current
Arctic Education Focus
of Fulbright Event
MaineMaritimeAcademyhosteda
transporta-
morning of presentations for the Maine
tion, spoke in
Chapter of the Fulbright Association on
depth about
July 10, 2015. The morning program offered three
the "Current
presentations preceded by a breakfast and net-
Trends and Ini-
working session. The afternoon offered attendees
tiatives in the
a sail aboard the schooner Bowdoin, followed by
operation of
a dinner and presentation by Capt. Rick Miller,
Vessels in Polar Fulbright Arctic Education Conference Speakers and Organizers: (L-to-R) Capt. Ralph Pundt '77, Dr. Paul
professor of marine transportation at MMA. Dr.
Waters." Dr.
Mayewski, Dr. Paul Wlodkowski, Dr. Elaine Potoker and Dr. Robert Lively. Missing from photo: Capt. Richard
Paul Wlodkowski, professor of engineering and
Paul Mayewski, "Rick" Miller. Photo by College Relations.
Fulbright Scholar, who had just returned from
professor and
daylong session with his presentation of "Arctic
a Fulbright semester teaching engineering and
director of the Climate Change Institute at the
Sailing on the Bowdoin: Memoirs of a Captain."
conducting research in St. Petersburg, opened the
University of Maine, orono presented a compre-
Professor Emerita and Fulbright Fellow Elaine
sessions with a discussion about the "Fulbright in
hensive slide show entitled "Is Climate Instability
Potoker and Dr. Robert Lively, professor and
Russia: Advancing Global Maritime Education."
in our Future? or, Is It Already Here? The Arctic
president of the Maine Chapter of the Fulbright
Capt. Ralph Pundt '77, professor of marine
and Its Impact." Capt. Rick Miller closed the
Association, organized the event.
MMA COMMUNITY HEALTH INITIATIVE
The first activity was a naming competition.
lenge, and The Brain Challenge. A Ship Shape
"Ship Shape" won over the many excellent
team also entered an Insane Inflatable 5K in
names submitted. With name in hand, the
Bangor. While participants met the above
committee then wrote a succinct mission
challenges, the Wellness Team met to choose
statement, which includes dedication to a
new challenges for the 2015-2016 academic
healthy lifestyle and a balance between work
year. Steve Peed explained one physical fitness
and home.
aid added to the Academy's repertoire this
By May 2015, the Wellness Team had a
fall: the new intuitive online software platform
sship well-plannedprograminplace:awebpres- calledVoLT,recentlypurchasedbyMMAfor
hape encedesignedandimplementedbyBryan athletes,faculty,andstaffforpersonalstrength
I
Wolf, MMA webmaster and Dee Yocom,
training. VoLT is wel known among coaches
n 2014, MMA President William Brennan
MMA graphic designer, and several activities
and trainers as a successful strength and
suggested that MMA begin a wellness
to offer the MMA community. Each wellness
conditioning platform. As Steve explained,
program for faculty, staff, and students. on
activity is in the form of a `challenge' and lasts
"The program is self-instructive and includes
behalf of the Human Resources department,
up to a month.
a workout for the day designed around the
Nicole Dyer, Faculty Secretary, agreed to head
The Wellness Team launched a walking
subscriber's goals and present condition. on-
a newly formed committee. Consisting of
challenge in May. Although the official chal-
line videos offer superior coaching points and
Nicole, Athletic Director Steve Peed, Executive
lenge is over, several employees have contin-
helps to fil the knowledge gap." An additional
Assistant to the President Rhonda Varney,
ued their perambulations. Pedometers were
perk is that the previous subscription cost of
Assistant Registrar Amy Gutow, Professor
made available to participants who needed
$25 was reduced to $10 per person. VoLT is
of Marine Sciences Jessica Muhlin, Adjunct
one. other participants provided their own
now available to Ship Shape participants.
Professor of Physical Education Terri Biggie,
apps on their phones or used their FitbitsŪ to
The Ship Shape program promises a wide
Professor Dan Marsh, Admissions Coun-
track steps. Tristan Taber, a member of the
variety of challenges to meet the needs of
selor Carla Scocchi, Sodexo Administrative
Student Life Department at the time, won the
the MMA community. The Wellness Team
Assistant Carly Vancamp and Sodexo Retail
walking challenge with a total of 446,170 steps
added new members as of Fal , 2015: Carl
Manager Andrew Pagano, the team held its
during the three-week period. This breaks out
olson, Crissi Dalfonzo, Debra Kingston, and
first meeting in october of 2014 to brain-
to over 21,000 steps per day, every day!
Amanda Maguire. The group hopes to attract
storm ideas and plan activities to launch the
The activities from June to october includ-
more participants to their healthful and fun
program.
ed: Take It outside, The Reading Challenge,
activities.
The Hydration Challenge, The Kindness Chal-
12
MARINER / 2015 - ISSUE 3

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