The Department of Marine Affairs is pleased to announce this year’s scholarship recipients. Tiahnna Dalpezzo received the Ken and Laura Kenerson Endowed Scholarship, and Jonathan Kabak and Christopher Burke each received a Kenelm W. Coons Marine Affairs Scholarship. Their work ranges from oyster populations to autonomous vessels to the South China Sea.

The Kenerson Scholarship was established by Ken and Laura Kenerson, alumni who met as students at URI, and supports Marine Affairs majors with financial need who are studying coastal issues. The Coons Scholarship was created by the family and friends of Kenelm “Ken” Coons (MMA ’78), who went back to school mid-career for his master’s in marine affairs, and it supports graduate students who are doing the same.

Tiahnna Dalpezzo standing beside the Ram statue on the URI Kingston campus

“I had no idea what the Marine Affairs program entailed,” said Tiahnna Dalpezzo. One class at URI changed that, and she is now a double major in marine biology and marine affairs. She works in Dr. Jonathan Puritz’s lab, where she studies how multiple coastal stressors affect eastern oyster populations. In December she will present a poster on that research at the College of the Environment and Life Sciences Summer Fellowship poster session. The faculty are part of the draw for her. “Their enthusiasm makes the material more interesting and encourages me to explore topics beyond the classroom.”

Capt. Jonathan Kabak at the helm of the Oliver Hazard Perry at sunset

Capt. Jonathan Kabak spent years at sea and as a program director and now serves as CEO of Maritime Rhode Island. He had known the program’s reputation for decades and enrolled part time for the chance at “rediscovering the joys of being a student.” His research looks at how Rhode Islanders understand the blue economy and at the regulatory framework now taking shape for autonomous vessels. His classmates’ presentations at a seminar session left him “absolutely blown away” by the range of topics, from microplastics to South Pacific fishing techniques. The Coons award is allowing him to complete his degree this year.

Christopher Burke on a flight deck

Christopher Burke has worn many uniforms: “salty weathered topsiders and an embroidered polo” as a harbormaster, “boots and a stethoscope” as an emergency medical technician, and now the uniform of a Navy Reservist. He is writing his Master of Marine Affairs major project on whether U.S. Navy Freedom of Navigation Operations deter Chinese “grey-zone” coercion in the South China Sea. He is also completing the Graduate Certificate in Coastal Resilience, with a focus on South Kingstown’s harbors. After graduating, he hopes to continue his service through a direct commission in the U.S. Coast Guard as an environmental manager.

Congratulations to all three! And thank you to the donors who made these awards possible.