Send Madi on Her Antarctic Adventure

Hi family and friends!

As most of you know, our amazing daughter, Madi, is going into her junior year at Eckerd College (I still can’t believe I have a junior in college!). She is double majoring in environmental studies and animal studies with a minor in marine science. She is planning on graduating early and going directly into a PhD program. I cannot tell you how unbelievably proud we are of her!

She is so smart, so passionate about animals, the environment, her beliefs, and everything she does. She has overcome so much in her life and has come so far. I never thought that we would ever get here, but I'm so glad that we did!

Madi chose not to come home for the summer; instead, she stayed in Florida and is currently doing research on dolphins at Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Just one of the amazing opportunities that Eckerd has provided her.

Well, Eckerd has done it again! Madi has been accepted into the Winter Term 2026 CULTURAL AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENTS OF THE WORLD: ANTARCTICA! Only 24 students are accepted! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and we want to give this to her. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Here is a little bit of what they will be doing during this term:

This course will be framed around four primary spheres represented in Antarctica (biosphere, cryosphere, geosphere, and hydrosphere), including their functions and interactions. Students will build foundational knowledge in oceanography, glaciology, geology, and coastal environments; foster a deeper understanding of human-environment interactions; gain knowledge on Antarctic biodiversity; and gain cultural competency of territorial identities. These goals will be accomplished through lectures, discussions, experiential learning, and reflective and analytical writing assignments and presentations. We will travel to Ushuaia, Argentina, embark on a motor vessel, navigate through the Strait of Magellan, and cross the Drake Passage. Once we arrive, we will observe icebergs, glaciers, cetaceans, penguins, seabirds, and more onboard the ship, via zodiac excursion, and during landfalls on the Antarctic Peninsula and surrounding islands. We will also make stops at bases operated by Antarctic Treaty nations.