Cornell's Shoals Marine Laboratory (SML) has announced eight merit-based scholarships for Cornell undergraduates to study marine sciences at the laboratory's summer program. The scholarships, funded by Henry (Hank) E. and Nancy Horton Bartels, both of the Class of 1948, are all named to honor pioneers and past directors of Shoals.

Included among the eight scholarships are two that were recently established to honor Cornell research associate Myra Shulman and former SML director Jim Morin.

The new awards replace six need-based scholarships that were open to undergraduates at all institutions of higher education. The scholarships will now be open only to Cornell students to live and take courses at Shoals. "We hope to attract outstanding Cornell students interested in marine science and to spread the word about opportunities for study at SML," said Laurie Johnson, admissions officer for SML.

To be considered for one of the scholarships, applications must be received by March 3. More information is available at: http://www.sml.cornell.edu.

Shoals, a world-renowned marine biology laboratory, is operated jointly by Cornell and the University of New Hampshire. It is located on 95-acre Appledore Island in the Isles of Shoals in the Gulf of Maine, six miles off the coast of Portsmouth, N.H.

Hank Bartels noted that John M. (Jack) Kingsbury, professor of botany at Cornell, had "the vision and tenacity" to found the marine biology laboratory more than 30 years ago on an island inhabited only by a thriving colony of seagulls.

When the Bartels first visited the laboratory in the 1970s, the facilities were still being developed. Some of its buildings were dilapidated, but the couple was drawn to the island's beauty and the facility's mission to educate undergraduates.

"We slept in one of the almost 100-year-old buildings that had holes in the walls and bedsheets for doors," said Nancy Bartels. The island originally had only a 100-year-old hand-dug well, which at the time necessitated water rationing, such as once-a-week showers.

"Thanks to the Bartels, there is now a reverse osmosis machine that converts salt water into fresh water for generous usage. Further, they have contributed significantly to building renovations and the construction of the multipurpose Kingsbury House for the SML director," said William E. Bemis '76, Cornell professor of ecology and evolutionary biology and the John M. Kingsbury Director of the laboratory. Bemis said, "Their generosity and commitment to undergraduate education have been central to SML's existence, and they continue to provide wise counsel about the lab's future."

"Of the many activities Nancy and Hank support at Cornell, the Shoals Marine Laboratory is deepest in their hearts," said Kingsbury.