Franklin Residential College visits UGAMI
UGA’s Franklin Residential College (FRC) visited UGAMI during fall break on Oct 28-30. FRC is a student-governed residential college program modeled after the residential colleges found at Ivy League institutions, giving the feel of a small college within a great university and offering its members opportunities to participate in intellectual and cultural events. FRC students traveled to UGAMI to learn about the natural history and culture of Sapelo Island, and to take part in UGAMI research. They conducted a nighttime bioacoustics survey in the Duplin River; took part in a fisheries trawl survey in Doboy Sound aboard the R/V Spartina; ate dinner at the famous Lula’s Kitchen in the Hog Hammock community; spotted alligators and spiders at night by flashlight; hiked the nature trail through the maritime forests, salt marshes and dunes in the Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve; toured the Reynolds Mansion; had a bonfire on the beach; and watched the sun rise over the Atlantic Ocean. The annual trip to UGAMI is a highlight of the year for many FRC students because it allows them to explore Sapelo Island, follow their curiosity, and get away from traditional schoolwork for a couple of days.
I had a blast trawling and getting to see the fish species diversity in hand! I’d love to do something similar for an internship or summer job one day.
-FRC Student, Katie Russel
