Craw-fish Boil...Yum!!

On Saturday, MSA hosted their first craw-fish boil. Taking place as the semester is ending, the gathering allowed current students and facility along with alumni to come together, enjoy the spring weather, and eat tons of craw-fish. The craw-fish were accompanied by other delectable Cajun fare to help fuel our students for their final exams. The event also marked the end of this years activities hosted by MSA.

We would like to give our thanks to the McKinnons, who graciously welcomed us to their home to eat as well as providing the equipment and space to cook such great food. We would also like to thank Katie Clevenger and Nathan King for taking the time to plan and orchestrate the event (well mainly the cooking). Thanks for coming out!!

Black Out Course

This past weekend our first years went through the black out course, an annual tradition of training for black water dives. Each diver had to make there way through the pool in a blacked out mask. With the guidance of the older students, along with Mark and Jason, our DSO, each newbie made it through. Following the day of diving, the group got together to reminisce about the days experiences and about others experiences in the course. Now it's on to open water training, and field school in Costa Rica.

Thanks to Mark and Jason, along with the guardian angel divers, for making sure our first years are trained for the future.

Photogrammetry Workshop

To close out the workshops hosted by MSA this school year, Mateusz Polakowski taught a group of eager students about photogrammetry and 3D computer imaging. Matt took time out of his busy schedule to show how to construct a 3D image from photographs overlaid on one another in 123D. This program not only allows for measurements to be taken from the images, but also to provide an interactive image for public outreach.

Thanks Matt for all your help!

Seabiscuits and Bitters

The annual MSA fundraising event took place February 28 and featured a live band, multiple games, and delicious food! Everyone at MSA would like to thank Dr. McKinnon and her husband, Jason, for hosting the event at their beautiful home. A big thank you also to Martin County Ramblers for braving the chilly night and putting on a fantastic show! Thanks are also due to the numerous businesses around Greenville that donated gift cards and prizes for us to raffle off.

We had a wonderful turnout, everyone worked hard, and MSA raised money that will go towards funding students in the graduate program.

MSA would also like to welcome its new officers, who took over after Seabiscuits:
President: Katie Clevenger
Vice President: Emily Schwalbe
Treasurer: Scott Rose
Secretary: Bettie Pratt
Historian: Allyson Ropp
Dive Liaison: Mitch Freitas

ArcGIS in Eller House

Each year, MSA tries to host a few workshops that provide the Maritime Studies students with useful skills. In the past, the group hosted dendrochronology and Rhino3D workshops. This semester, Adam Parker took time out of his schedule to hold an ArcGIS workshop. Students who participated received an introduction to the program and practiced with georeferencing maps and plotting GPS points.

Thanks Adam for all your help!

SHA Conference 2015

"Peripheries and Boundaries" was the theme this year for the Society for Historical Archaeology annual conference.

Students and professors braved the chilly Seattle, Washington weather to represent the Program in Maritime Studies at SHA. Some of the students presented on the work they have done while attending ECU. Topics included archaeology on shipwrecks in South Africa and the Mediterranean. Students had the chance to view a wealth of presentations and network with professionals in the field, all while exploring Seattle and enjoying the food and sights.

Here's to another great SHA experience!

A Very Maritime Christmas

It is not often the Maritimers get to see each other in something other than sweatpants or wetsuits.

This year, for the Maritime Christmas party we decided to get a little classy! Everyone met at Winslow's in their finest attire to catch up over wine and appetizers. Thank you to everyone who came out for the festivities!

Feel free to email your photos to msa.eastcarolina@gmail.com if you would like to see them here!