Ken Sherman, a global leader in remediating ocean pollution and a University alumnus, will meet with students and deliver a public lecture on campus on Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2011.

Sherman is director of the Narragansett Bay Research Laboratory of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

As the mover and shaker behind the Large Marine Ecosystems program, a global initiative, he was awarded this year’s Göteborg Award, given by the Swedish government to honor outstanding contributors to sustainability and compared by many to the Nobel Prize. Past recipients include Al Gore and the designers of the Prius.

The Large Marine Ecosystem program divides oceans into various ecosystems based on their similarity, with the intent of remediating polluted waters. At present, 97 percent of ocean waters are affected adversely by human activity.

The program assesses marine life and pollution. It then develops and implements remediation plans for each ecosystem, bringing together representatives from countries that otherwise would not work together to collaborate on solutions. The process repeats itself over and over again.

It has been very effective, in many regions, including such unlikely places as the Gulf of Guinea abutting several countries in West Africa and the Yellow Sea, abutting China and the Koreas.

The Donahue Building is featuring a display of material related to Sherman’s work with the Large Marine Ecosystem program.

As a man who was fully engaged during his student days – Sherman played both hockey and basketball for Suffolk, while working 40 hours a week – he looks forward to connecting with students.

Schedule for Feb. 1 celebration

Sherman's Feb. 1 visit will feature the following events:

• Meeting with students, noon to 2 p.m., Poetry Center, Mildred Sawyer Library 
• Reception, 5 p.m. outside Donahue 311 
• Public lecture in, 5:30 p.m., Donahue 311

The University community and the public are invited.