KINGSTON, R.I. — June 26, 2000 — Twenty-seven students from the University of Rhode Island are spending the next eight months conducting a wide array of environmental research and outreach after being selected for the URI Coastal Fellowship Program. Now in its fourth year, the Coastal Fellowship Program teams students with URI faculty and research staff to study an environmental topic of their choice. While gaining the skills that will ensure their future success, students build the confidence needed to perform on the job before they enter the job market. “The Coastal Fellowship Program serves as a bridge between classroom learning and applied research,” explained program coordinator Deborah Grossman-Garber. “It’s a unique program that gives students the opportunity to involve themselves in addressing current environmental problems.” Coastal Fellows are selected through a competitive application process. The 2000 Coastal Fellows are: Melissa Albino of Castleton, N.Y.; Kimberly Anderson, Woonsocket; Alison Armstrong, Bristol, Conn.; Kathryn Banick, Stratford, Conn.; Andrea Bixby, Greenville; Christopher Boelke, Monroe, N.Y.; Diana Brennan, Coventry; Danielle Cares, Warwick; Elizabeth Champagne, Mt. Vernon, N.H.; Jennifer Dacey, Wickford; Tamala Dirlam, Newport; Matthew Dowling, Woonsocket; Meggan Dwyer, Newport; and Helder Gomes, Cumberland. Also Melissa Hayden, Portsmouth; Steven Holden, Westerly; Abigail Knee, Freemont, N.H.; Tom Liddy, Norwood, Mass.; Daniel Linden, Warwick; Diana Loya, Springfield, N.J.; Christopher Monti, Jamestown; Danielle Morley, Wyoming; Kevin Neary, Coventry; Monique Perron, Fiskdale, Mass.; Kenneth Thompson, Middletown; Kathleen Wall, Newtown, Penn.; and Susan Wilson, Warwick. # # # For Information: Deborah Grossman-Garber 874-5401, Todd McLeish 874-7892