Second Coastal Institute opens

In his memory: Family members of Thomas Weaver, former chair of the Dept. of Environmental and Natural Resource Economics, are shown in front of the new Coastal Institute building. The building's auditorium was named for Weaver. From left are: Weaver's daughter, Kirsten; his former wife Peg Maxwell; his daughter Catherine Weaver McDermott; and two of his grandchildren. His son, James (not pictured) and other family also attended the ceremonies.

Second Coastal Institute opens

The University celebrated the opening of the Coastal Institute building on the Kingston Campus, on Friday, Sept. 7, with a formal dedication ceremony, open house, and lectures by leading environmentalists.

The new facility is the second of three buildings designed for research and environmental problem solving. The first Coastal Institute building opened in 1996 on the Narragansett Bay Campus. An aquaculture research facility is in the works on the Bay Campus as well.

The project was championed by Thomas Weaver, former chair of the Dept. of Environmental and Natural Resource Economics, who died before it was completed. In honor of Weaver's efforts, the building's auditorium was named in his memory.

By Todd McLeish