Environmental Science students present research from trip to Bahamas

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Students who took part in a Study Abroad trip to Bahamas as part of Flagler College’s Environmental Science program presented their research on Thursday at a special event highlighting the program.

ST. AUGUSTINE, FL (09/27/2013)(readMedia)-- Students who took part in a Study Abroad trip to Bahamas as part of Flagler College's Environmental Science program presented their research on Thursday at a special event highlighting the program.

Recent Flagler graduate Emily Thompson was a member of the group that traveled to the islands this past summer. The course was the last of her Flagler academic career and her involvement in the program led her to pursue a career in the field.

"The great thing about this program is that you can really get into so many fields of science through this angle," said Thompson. "It will help open up so many doors for you to do really great science."

Thompson recently began working with Anastasia Mosquito Control helping to study the insects and their effects in the state.

Flagler launched the new Environmental Science major this past fall in an effort to take advantage of the sprawling marshes and waterways that surround the Northeast Florida coastline. The goal is to let students take advantage of all the research and educational resources throughout the area while getting a broad understanding of diverse environmental issues.

The Study Abroad trip to the Bahamas was partially funded by a gift from Mr. and Mrs. James Babcock, who were also in attendance at the event. The Babcocks have pledged $100,000 to endow the James W. Babcock and B. Teri Ludwick-Babcock Scholarship for study abroad.

"I'm extraordinarily happy at their results," said James Babcock, who also owns St. Augustine restaurant, The Tasting Room. "It's a great start for the major and it's wonderful to see what the students have done."

Babcock said he hopes to be able to continue the Study Abroad course next year in Bermuda.

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Flagler College is an independent, four-year, comprehensive baccalaureate college located in St. Augustine, Fla. The college offers 29 majors, 34 minors and two pre-professional programs, the largest majors being business, education and communication. Small by intent, Flagler College has an enrollment of about 2,500 students, as well as a satellite campus at Tallahassee Community College in Tallahassee, Fla. U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review regularly feature Flagler as a college that offers quality education at a relatively low cost. A Flagler education is less than half the cost of similar private colleges, and competitive with many state universities. A relatively young institution (founded in 1968), Flagler College is also noted for its historic beauty. The centerpiece of the campus is the former Hotel Ponce de Leon, a grand resort built in 1888 by Henry M. Flagler, industrialist, railroad pioneer and co-founder of Standard Oil. The Ponce has been designated as a National Historic Landmark. For more on Flagler College, visit www.flagler.edu.