The D.J. Angus celebrates 25 years
Courtesy Photo / gvsu.edu A young exploration crew prepares to leave dock on GVSU’s D. J. Angus
Mar 17, 2011
The D.J. Angus research and education vessel celebrates its 25th year of service at Grand Valley State University this year.
The vessel is docked on Harbor Island in Grand Haven and is operated by the Annis Water Resources Institute at GVSU. More than 12,000 students from GVSU have been on the D.J. Angus . The experience includes conducting hands-on-water-quality sampling and analysis.
“The D.J. Angus serves as both a research vessel and floating classroom,” said Dr. Alan Steinman, director of the AWRI. “The educational component serves both GVSU students and students in the fourth grade and up. Aquatic science instructors guide participants in the use of sampling equipment and instruments to compile water quality data from Lake Michigan and shoreline water bodies. Data from sampling stations are compared and contrasted to develop an understanding of Lake Michigan and inland lake or river ecology.”
The vessel was built and endowed in 1985, and it made its first trip in 1986. Since then, it has offered several classes for GVSU and local K-12 students.
“Twenty-five years is a significant milestone,” said Dr. Janet Vail, associate research scientist. “We have been offering trips for GVSU classes and K-12 students since 1986. It is a tribute to the Angus family, all the donors who contributed to the endowment fund that helps subsidize the cost of the educational cruises, and to the hard-working educators, crew, and captains who make the trips engaging and informative.”
The Annis Water Resources Institute operates the vessel. The AWRI is a multidisciplinary research organization within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
“The D.J. Angus experience is part of the curriculum in school districts such as Grand Haven,” Steinman said. “The information and knowledge we have generated as part of our research activities on the vessel have contributed to better management decisions and improvements in water quality.”
“The D.J. Angus provides a unique experience that is long remembered by those who go on the vessel,” Vail said. “A trip on the D.J. Angus has helped to inspire students to pursue careers in science. In addition, the D.J. Angus carries the GVSU banner wherever it goes.”
