For students at the College of William and Mary who are fascinated by all things under the sea, the Marine Science Society offers a welcoming space to explore their interests and connect with like-minded people. Whether you are a biology major, a geology lover or a sea creature enthusiast, this club combines curiosity with community.
Co-Presidents Struan Baker ’26 and Allison Thorne ’26 have been with the club since their freshman year. Interested in studying geology and environmental science, Baker was immediately drawn to the club. At one of his first events, he recalls the excitement of seeing a big touch tank filled with sea creatures.
“That was my hook right there,” Baker said. “I was coming back every day after that.”
Thorne, who started as social media manager before becoming co-president, emphasized the importance of finding a community on campus.
“Marine Science Society started out as a very social club and grew into a more academic, pre-professional club over time,” Thorne said. “Struan and I have been trying to keep some of that social aspect alive, as well as keeping it as informational as possible. It was a really nice way to make connections with other like-minded people and also learn about everything you could do on a college campus.”
Club member Madelyn Shelton ’29 shared her excitement for joining the Marine Science Society.
“On Admitted Students Day, I remember meeting Chris Hines, and he was so enthusiastic, and I was hooked,” Shelton said. “I was so excited at the club fair, I ran up and I was there for like 20 minutes.”
From presentations about summer internship opportunities to playing marine-themed Jeopardy games to discussing aquatic horror movie monsters, these club meetings are never dull. They often begin with a short crash course video made by the outreach chair, highlighting a current marine science issue or topic and sparking curiosity and discussion among members. Club member Aidan Dowdy ’28 commented on the fun, laid-back atmosphere.
“There are no dues for the club, which I think is a big plus,” Dowdy said. “It’s just a very chill group of people who all kind of have the same interests.”
One of the club’s signature events is its marine-themed bake sale, which shares what the club is all about and raises money for trips throughout the year. Last year’s Halloween bake sale featured cupcakes with a fish skeleton design made of sprinkles. Members are already eagerly planning this year’s theme.
“We’re thinking about doing it in November, closer to winter break, and having marine snow-themed cupcakes,” Thorne said. “We like to have them a little educational.”
The variety of club excursions is another highlight, drawing in current members as well as interested students across campus.
“In the past, we’ve gone whale watching, we go to aquariums, we’ll go kayaking or canoeing, so we do a wide range of stuff that people really look forward to,” Baker said. “That pulls a lot of people outside of just our general membership, too.”
The Marine Science Society also plans annual field trips to the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. These trips serve as a gateway for students to connect with faculty and explore potential research opportunities.
“VIMS is really the motivation for a lot of things we do,” Baker said. “We try to get students plugged into that if it’s something they want, we try to make those connections and help build those relationships.”
Dowdy expressed his enthusiasm for more frequent trips to VIMS.
“I’ve only been to the VIMS campus once,” Dowdy said. “I think it’d be cool to go there more and get to know the different professors and people doing research there.”
Shelton echoed a similar sentiment.
“I would love to go to VIMS because I’ve never been. It’d be cool to go as a group because, I mean, if I just walked in there, I’d be like, what am I looking at? What’s going on?” Shelton said.
The club is making other future plans as well. One exciting initiative is a coastal marine science major application workshop, which is designed to help students navigate the process of applying to the new degree program.
“We’re hoping to try to get some of the students who were accepted into the small cohort to help students with their applications as the cohort increases,” Thorne said.
The Marine Science Society does not shy away from discussing how current political issues are affecting marine science.
“It’s been a little bit hard to avoid what’s going on in the current presidential administration just because it has had such a dramatic impact on organizations that fund marine science research,” Thorne said. “A lot of our club members like research, and the club members who don’t like research like policy, so we’re all pretty impacted by it.”
To navigate these challenges, the club emphasizes adaptability and resilience.
“We’re pushing people to try what they can, see what sticks and not be discouraged by what’s going on right now,” Baker said. “Keep applying for the major, applying for the research project, because that’s what’s important at the end of the day.”
At its core, the Marine Science Society is about forming an inclusive and welcoming community.
“I remember the first meeting, I was hesitant to come because I didn’t know anyone,” Shelton said. “ But I remember, afterwards, I called my mom, and I was like, ‘I’m so glad I went.’ I love to be a nerd about stuff, and it just feels nice to have a connection to a different group of people.”
Dowdy had similar thoughts.
“I met one of my really good friends, Edward, through the club. We got to do a field course over the summer together, and we’re both going to be applying to the major together, which definitely helped and strengthened the friendship,” Dowdy said. “It’s not all academic, we hang out a lot too.”
The club’s leaders hope that all newcomers walk away from their first meeting with this feeling.
“It’s nice to geek out every Thursday at 7 p.m. in Chancellors [Hall] 123.” Baker said. “We hope that people come in and have a good time and can build a sense of community, and then take that and pursue things that we have available on campus, pursue things at VIMS and be able to make the most of what they have here.”
Despite common misconceptions, the Marine Science Society is not just for biology majors.
“For incoming students that are joining the club, I want to stress that it’s not just biology,” Dowdy said. “All the processes that happen on land can happen in the water.”
Baker stressed a similar point, emphasizing his geology background as evidence.
“We just want people to come, even if they’re remotely interested in marine science,” Baker said. “We’re happy to have them.”
As the club continues to grow, leaders and members alike are committed to creating a space for students to explore marine science from whatever angle they choose, whether it be geology, biology or chemistry.
“More people are always welcome. We just need to know if we need a bigger room,” Thorne said.
