The Elm Student Newspaper
Bell brings Eastern Shore environmental concerns to center
Eliot Caroom
Wayne Bell has been
named the Director of
WC's Center for
Environment and Society.
From Internet resources.
Wayne Bell, the new director of WC's Center for Environment and Society, plans to turn the center into a link between the community, WC students, providing information about local environmental concerns.
Vice President of Development Robert Smith called Bell's appointment important, and describes him as "a thoughtful and bright person."
Formerly, Bell served as Vice President of Eternal Relations for the University of Maryland's Center for Environmental Science.
Bell is already at work teaching a full course about the Chesapeake Bay.
Bell will play a role different than the one he did at the University of Maryland. The focus of WC's center is not research. Instead, the center will serve as an educational resource for students and the public.
"Policy issues concerning the environment will be calmly discussed and studied cooperatively (in the center) by all interested groups," said WC President John Toll.
In his previous position at the Center for Environmental Science, environmental research was done by graduate students in a lab setting. Bell made sure the undergraduates had access to the up-to-date information being exposed. He was also responsible for presenting it to the public.
Bell sees his new role as remaining that of a "connector."
He remarked, "What we intend to do is be a bridge between the college and the outside community."
Soon after his arrival to WC, Bell addressed the Kent County Chamber of Commerce on the topic of the center. He outlined some things it could do and got, in the words of Smith, "an overwhelming response."
Already, Bell reported receiving calls from those who live in the surrounding area who are interested in the educational opportunities presented by the center. Bell hopes the center will provide "a potpourri of things the community desires."
Among the things callers have been interested in are lectures, adult education, and the center serving as a local environmental forum.
Bell stressed that the center itself will not be activist in nature, but will provide information to activist groups such as the Audubon Society.
He said his goal is not to change the way people on the Eastern Shore think, but to "help people who want to change the way the shore thinks."
For students, the center will offer a chance to learn more about area biology and the balance of the local environment.
Through a collaboration with the Adkins Arboretum, guest lecturers will speak at the center throughout the school year. These guests will primarily be prominent environmental writers and thinkers, with a lecture series theme of "Sense of Place."
The center, still being completed, will be located in the Custom House in downtown Chestertown. Many of the details regarding it are yet to be worked out, including its budget and how it will cater to students.
One of the opportunities it may provide students includes working with environmental service for a senior obligation activity. Specifically, this would mean developing trails, curriculum for teachers, and an Internet presence for the center.
It is likely that summer internships will open up.
Bell himself is personally a bridge to the community as a resident of the Eastern Shore. He is an active member and President of the Talbot Bird Club.
Bell asked anyone with a question to "give me a call [and] ask what's up." He may be reached at extension 7171.
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