Florida Atlantic: Supporting the Next Generation

Brynna Fisher recalls learning about dying coral reefs and other effects of climate change as a teen. It not only fostered her interest in environmental science, but led her to Florida Atlantic University from her home state of Massachusetts.

A junior majoring in biological sciences, Fisher is among the first recipients of scholarships made possible by a gift from Wayne and Lucretia Weiner to the School of Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sustainability (ECOS) in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science.

“This was life-changing for me,” said Fisher, whose long- term goal is to become a research scientist focused on the environment. “This scholarship covered just about all of the student loans I had to take out for this year.”

ECOS was established in 2023 by Valery Forbes, Ph.D., dean of the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, as a partnership with Florida Atlantic’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute to bolster the visibility and impact of the University’s programs focused on the environment.

The gift established 22 scholarships, 20 paid internships, 10 research stipends, programmatic support for Harbor Branch’s Semester by the Sea program, a Professor-in-Residence program, three faculty mentors and two staff advisor positions, all of which enhance ECOS and create opportunities for students dedicated to the environment and a more sustainable South Florida.

“The next generation of environmental scientists, leaders and problem solvers must come from a diverse range of disciplines to solve the complex issues of tomorrow, and the tremendous support provided by Lucretia and Wayne’s gift reflects the cross-disciplinary ethos of ECOS,” Forbes said. “This gift will greatly expand educational opportunities for students and advance our research and community engagement, creating tangible momentum for this important new school.”