Women in Science Honored at Earth Day Celebration

The University of Maine's remarkable women in science--past, present, and future--were the honorees at a special Earth Day reception held April 18th at the University Club in the Fogler Library. The event was co-sponsored by the Friends of Dr. Edith Marion Patch and the Friends of Fogler Library.

Serena Gross, Master of Science Degree Candidate, Ecology and Environmental Sciences and Jennifer Wharff, Fourth Year Undergraduate Student, Ecology and Environmental Sciences were recipients of the 2010 Edith Patch Award. Beth Choate, Katherine Garland, and Marissa McMahon, finalists, were invited to do poster presentations.

Pictured above are back row, left to right:

Faculty advisors Stephanie Burnett, assistant professor of horticulture; Andre Alyokhin, associate professor of applied entomology; Frank Drummond, professor of insect ecology; Brian Olson, lecturer, School of Biology and Ecology.

Front Row, left to right:

Katharine Garland, finalist; Beth Choate, finalist; Serena Gross, Edith Patch Award winner, graduate level; Jennifer Wharff, Edith Patch Award winner, undergraduate level.

Like their predecessor, Edith Patch, today's women in science at UMaine bring talent and determination to their work. Unlike Dr. Patch, they can look forward to many opportunities, resources and even legal protection that will help them as they work toward their goals.

In addition to the Earth Day celebration, Friends of Dr. Edith Marion Patch offer a number of educational forums throughout the year on topics ranging from frog fungi to senior capstone project presentations by students in sustainable horticulture; from invasive plants to the ever-popular annual children's Bugathon. 

While emphasizing their educational mission, the Friends are also continuing rehabilitation of Braeside, Dr. Patch's historic home. For more information about ways you can contribute to the Braeside restoration, contact the planned giving staff at the University of Maine Foundation.