students fishing derbyStudents will be living on the wild side this weekend– from philanthropic polar dipping to participating in the largest ice fishing event in the State of Maine: theSebago Lake Ice Fishing Derby.

The College’s Rotary Club will jump into the lake to honor “the bravery of kids with cancer receiving treatment at Maine Children’s Cancer Program.” The students will jump into the lake at Raymond Beach on Saturday, February 24th at noon to raise funds.

Additionally, five Saint Joseph’s College students are striving to tell the biggest “fish story” about their ice fishing experience this weekend. Organized by the Sebago Lake Rotary Club in Windham and in cooperation with Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, the tournament is intended to be a “fish management tool.” The competition targets both invasive species and illegally introduced species. A jaw dropping $100,000 top prize will be awarded to anyone who can land a togue larger than the state record. Otherwise, prizes will be awarded for the largest togue and pike caught. The College’s students and faculty engage in extensive research on Sebago Lake’s water quality, fish population, and ecosystem health. Many of its students avidly pursue outdoor recreation, including fishing.

Saint Joseph’s College offers several research and scholarship opportunities for students interested in pursuing science at a college that has convenient access to the ocean, mountains, lakes, and rivers. Most recently, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded Saint Joseph’s College a five-year $647,000 grant to encourage academically-talented students, who have demonstrated need of financial assistance, to enter into and succeed in a community of young scientists. The first group of Saint Joseph’s College Science Scholars will be selected from first-year students entering in the fall of 2018 who are committed to pursuing a range of fields, including: chemistry, biology, environmental science, biochemistry, and marine science. Learn more at  www.sjcme.edu/science.

caption: L to R; Joseph O'Reilly, Tyler Allen, Caleb Gravel, James "Seamus" Tiernan. Missing is Jarrett Beaulieur.