A List
1/29/01

OUTDOOR LAB FUNDED BY $1 MILLION GIFT TO SLU

CANTON -- The family of a 1999 graduate of St. Lawrence University 
has given a million dollars to construct and equip the Wachtmeister 
Field Laboratory, a component of the Integrated Science Education 
Initiative (ISEI).  
	The gift comes from Erik Wachtmeister '99; his parents, 
Edward and Karen Wachtmeister, of Warrenton, Virginia; and his 
brother, Carl Wachtmeister. It will fund the purchase and installation 
of permanent monitoring equipment; construction of a field study 
laboratory facility, where samples can be examined and instruction 
can take place; and the purchase and installation of supporting 
equipment in campus laboratories. 
	Faculty in biology, chemistry, geology, environmental studies, 
mathematics, psychology and education have launched the ISEI, a comprehensive 
project aimed at providing increased opportunities for field-based 
science education. Located on a 76-acre nature preserve on the edge 
of campus, the program began formally in the fall, allowing faculty 
and students to develop a series of geographically referenced field 
science sites for ongoing study and data collection, and install permanent 
monitoring equipment at selected points. Data collected will form a 
long-term, multidisciplinary Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 
database that will represent the collection and study of a wide variety 
of conditions, ecosystems and habitats over time.  
	"We are delighted to have been able to make this gift to 
St. Lawrence University," Karen Wachtmeister commented, noting that 
Erik had benefited from "hands-on fieldwork," particularly in geology, 
his major. "We desire that this program help make St. Lawrence a leader 
among universities in innovative approaches to teaching and discovering 
science."
	President Daniel F. Sullivan said, "On behalf of everyone at 
St. Lawrence, I want to thank the Wachtmeister family for their generosity 
and commitment to transforming the way our students learn and understand 
science. Their wonderful support will ensure the long-term continuation 
of this outstanding program." 
	
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