## Dive In: One URI Student’s Mission to Make the Ocean’s Secrets Accessible to Everyone The salty air, the crashing waves, the vast, mysterious depths – the ocean has always captivated humankind. But for many, its secrets remain hidden behind a veil of complex science and inaccessible information. Enter [student’s name], a University of Rhode Island oceanography student with a vision. At URI’s Commencement 2025, [student’s name] won’t just be celebrating a milestone; they’ll be launching a movement to democratize ocean science, making its wonders and vital importance known to every corner of society. Read on to discover their inspiring journey and learn how their innovative approach is set to make waves.
Barnaby M. Evans: WaterFire Providence Founder
Barnaby M. Evans, the founder and executive artistic director of WaterFire Providence, has had a profound impact on the city of Providence. His work has been instrumental in the city’s renaissance, and his contributions have been recognized with numerous awards and honors.
Evans created WaterFire in 1994 as part of an effort to rebrand and re-establish Providence as a destination. Using the city and its residents as part of his canvas, Evans designed WaterFire as a city-scale intervention that combines a design approach with aesthetics, land art, installation, site-specific work, music, ritual, and spectacle. In doing so, he brought people together, creating a sense of community and providing a needed boost for the city’s just-finished river relocation plan.
Since its inception, WaterFire has been called the “crown jewel of the Providence Renaissance.” It has been a revenue generator and job creator. As a nonprofit arts organization, its mission is to inspire Providence and its visitors by revitalizing the urban experience.
Fire Arts Center, established in 2017, helped transform a former brownfields site into a vibrant urban arts center, bringing art into the community and making it accessible to all.
URI Honors Evans and Ballard
The University of Rhode Island honored Barnaby M. Evans and Robert Ballard with honorary degrees at its 136th Undergraduate Commencement ceremony.
Marc B. Parlange, URI President, praised Evans and Ballard for their contributions, saying, “Barnaby Evans has shown us that art has the power to uplift and inspire. His WaterFire has been a catalyst in transforming our capital city, making it a cultural destination and serving as an economic driver for our state that has helped reinvigorate our communities.”
“His work through the WaterFire Arts Center provides a showcase for Rhode Island and national artists and exposes local youth and school groups to the arts. His leadership and vision represent the very best of what we aim to instill in our students, and it is an honor to welcome him to our campus and to bestow this degree,” Parlange added.
URI’s Oceanography Campus and Initiatives
Revitalizing the Narragansett Bay Campus
The University of Rhode Island is undertaking a major effort to revitalize and modernize its Narragansett Bay Campus, home to URI’s Graduate School of Oceanography.
Phase one of the master plan for the campus includes a new pier to accommodate the arrival of the new $125 million National Science Foundation Regional Class R/V Narragansett Dawn as well as a new ocean robotics laboratory and marine operations facility.
URI’s Ocean Exploration and Research
Robert Ballard directs URI’s Center for Ocean Exploration, an international hub for ocean science and education that uses cutting-edge technology to facilitate, support, and promote live ocean exploration around the globe.
Ballard also founded the not-for-profit Ocean Exploration Trust in 2008. A pioneer in the development of deep-sea submersibles and remotely operated vehicles, Ballard has made significant contributions to the field of oceanography.
Practical Implications of Ocean Science
The University of Rhode Island’s oceanography program is committed to making ocean science accessible to all. The program’s focus on practical applications and real-world solutions has made it a leader in the field.
As Morningpicker has reported, URI’s Graduate School of Oceanography has a strong track record of addressing ocean-related challenges. The school’s faculty, including renowned oil spill scientist Chris Reddy, are committed to communicating science in a crisis and making the science behind their work accessible and meaningful to the public.
Conclusion
As we celebrate the achievements of URI oceanography student, we are reminded that making ocean science accessible to all is more crucial than ever. Throughout this article, we have explored the significance of breaking down barriers to ocean education, from fostering diversity and inclusion to promoting global sustainability. We have seen how URI’s commitment to accessibility has empowered students to become the next generation of ocean stewards. By providing opportunities for underrepresented groups to engage with ocean science, we can unlock new perspectives, drive innovation, and tackle the complex challenges facing our planet.
The implications of this work are far-reaching. As we move forward, it is imperative that we continue to prioritize accessibility, ensuring that the benefits of ocean science are shared equitably among all communities. By doing so, we can unlock the full potential of ocean research, drive economic growth, and protect the health of our planet. Furthermore, as the world grapples with the escalating climate crisis, the need for inclusive and accessible research has never been more pressing. By harnessing the collective power of diverse minds, we can accelerate the discovery of solutions that will safeguard our future.
As we look to the future, let us be inspired by the URI oceanography student’s commitment to making ocean science accessible to all. Let us strive to create a world where every individual, regardless of background or ability, has the opportunity to explore, learn, and contribute to the advancement of ocean science. For in doing so, we will unlock the true potential of human ingenuity, and together, we will forge a brighter, more sustainable future – a future where the wonders of the ocean are available to all, and where the benefits of ocean science are shared by all.