Monday, April 15, 2002

By: Elissa Garriss, PR Intern

WILMINGTON, NC – Mark C. Kelly of Pineville, La., a senior marine biology and psychology double major at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, received a Fulbright Scholarship to Norway.

Kelly is the son of Dr. Tom and Vickie Kelly, also of Pineville, LA. The program of study at the University of Bergen in Norway will include academic course work and seminars, as well as, one or more research projects in the field of marine biology and mariculture. Kelly will be studying farm-raised Atlantic salmon at the Institute of Marine Research.

“I hope to use the Fulbright Scholarship to explore the various components of both my undergraduate degrees,” says Kelly. “Norway provides the best availability of university course work and research opportunities. Few countries have placed a greater emphasis on ocean research and resources.” The University of Bergen is on the cutting edge of mariculture research and has a large international student population.

Kelly graduates from UNCW with university honors in May 2002. After his nine-month trip to Norway, which begins in August, he plans to pursue his Ph.D. “After graduation from my Ph.D. program, I hope to serve as an instructor/researcher at a university, where I can continue to pursue and enjoy the driving forces that have shaped my life to this point,” says Kelly.

“The Fulbright is a prestigious academic award. This was a nationwide competition for only 10 grants to Norway,” says Dr. Raymond Burt, associate dean of college of arts and sciences and Fulbright coordinator for UNCW. “We are very proud of Mark’s accomplishment for obtaining this grant this year.”