Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society Announces 2006 Rolex Scholars and Interns

(June 1, 2006) During its 32nd annual awards program held this year at the Explorers Club in New York City on April 22, 2006, the Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society presented its 2006 North American Rolex Scholarship to Ms. Michelle Fetzer. Michelle is 23 years old and a 2004 marine biology graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University. The 2006 European Rolex Scholarship was awarded to Ms. Delia Ní Chíobháin. Delia is 22 years old and is a 2006 archaeology graduate of the National University of Ireland. The European Rolex Scholar will be presented to the European diving community in October, 2006 at a ceremony during the International Festival of Underwater Film in Antibes, France.

Both Rolex Scholars were presented with Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner Dates watches by Peter Nicholson, Director of Communications, Rolex Watch USA. They also received student memberships from the Explorers Club; underwater video housings from Light & Motion, and scholarship society flags to carry throughout the year which had been earlier returned by the 2005 Rolex Scholars. Michelle is being fully equipped for the year by AquaLung while Delia is being equipped by Fourth Element and Zeagle Systems. The 2005 Rolex Scholars, Vibe Schourup-Kristensen and Anya Watson, presented their year-end video presentations and returned their expedition flags to the Society. The program was keynoted by physician and renowned deep-sea explorer Dr. Joseph MacInnis who presented "Dangerous Lives: Leadership Lessons from Deep-Sea Explorers."

The Society also announced it 2006 interns:

Divers Alert Network (DAN) Research Internship
Andrea Krzystan, B.S. in Marine Biology, 2006, Eckerd College

Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) Marine Conservation Internship
Aiyesha Ghani, B.A. in Development of Global Culture and Environment, NYU, 2006

Sport Diver Magazine Publishing Internship
Lucy McNally, B.A. in Photograpy Communications, University College- Falmouth, 2006

US Navy Engineering Internship
Bridget Benson, PhD in Computer Engineering & Marine Science, (expected 2009), University of California at Santa Barbara

The Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society is an all-volunteer, nonprofit, tax-exempt organization founded in 1974 and dedicated to the promotion of educational activities associated with the underwater world. Its educational outreach has historically been a year-long, experience-based scholarship directed at college-aged individuals planning careers in professions related to marine and freshwater environments. The Society is now offering college internships in addition to the Rolex Scholarships. For further information about the Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society's programs, applications, and requirements, please visit www.owuscholarship.org.