Honoree-
Thomas Haredesign

For nearly four decades, Professor Thomas Haresign played an instrumental role in the development of Southampton College’s flagship program marine and environmental science. In just 26 years, the program has produced an astounding 32 Fulbright Scholars.

Dr. Haresign, who earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from SUNY Albany and his Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts, served as director of the Division of Natural Science for 16 years. During his tenure, he created SEAmester, a unique hands-on learning experience comprised of a nine-week course of study at sea. Twice a year, eligible students have the opportunity to embark on a 3,000-mile voyage along the eastern seaboard. They take responsibility for crewing a large gaff-rigged schooner, while earning college credit studying marine life from the coral reefs of the Caribbean to the mud flats of North Carolina.

In 1992, Dr. Haresign was awarded Long Island University’s David Newton Award for Excellence in Teaching. In addition to serving on the board of directors of the New York Ocean Science Laboratory, he completed a National Institutes of Health postdoctoral fellowship at the Worcester Foundation for Experimental Biology. Dr. Haresign also was one of the co-founders of Water Mill Water.

Since his retirement in 2000, Dr. Haresign has enjoyed traveling, reading, bird watching, and spending time with his family. He and his wife, Marlene, have three children and three grandchildren.

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