The Enduring Legacy of John Knauss

The Enduring Legacy of John Knauss, Still Leading Us Forward

Commemorating the 100th birthday of an ocean visionary

Join alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the Graduate School of Oceanography (GSO) to honor the legacy of the late Dr. John Knauss, visionary marine scientist and founding dean of GSO, whose 100th birthday would have been on September 1, 2025.

• 1:30–3:30 p.m. Narragansett Bay Campus Tours
• 4–5 p.m. Panel
• 5:30-6:30 p.m. Cocktails and Discussion

The panel will feature reflections on the pioneering contributions Dr. Knauss made to URI and oceanography, and how his vision continues to inspire the rapidly expanding field of ocean science, generations of ocean leaders, and growth at GSO and the Narragansett Bay Campus. Guests are invited to stay for a reception following the program.

Panelists include:

• Margaret Leinen, Ph.D. ’80, Director of Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego
• James A. Yoder, M.S. ’74, Ph.D. ’79, professor emeritus at the University of Rhode Island and dean emeritus at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and committee co-chair for “Forecasting the Ocean: The 2025–2035 Decade of Ocean Science”
• Matthew Horn, Ph.D. ’11, Business Unit Lead and Principal Scientist, Tetra Tech – RPS; Chair, GSO Advisory Council
• Erin K. Peck, Assistant Professor at GSO with a specialty in coastal marine geology and geophysics

GSO Tours
On Saturday afternoon from 1:30–3:30 we will be conducting tours that highlight some of the unique facilities at GSO. Please sign up on the registration form and plan to be in the foyer of the Ocean Science and Exploration Center (Building #1 on campus map) at 1:20 p.m.

• The Inner Space Center is a one-of-a-kind national facility that supports live ocean exploration and education via telepresence technology.
• The Marine Geological Samples Lab (also known as the Rock and Core Lab) catalogues and houses marine and deep sea sediment cores.
• The Ann Gall Durbin Aquarium at the Marine Research Facility has running seawater from Narragansett Bay and can replicate most any marine environment.
• And we will walk past the ongoing construction of the Ocean Robotics Lab, which will house scientists from both the GSO and the URI Department of Ocean Engineering.

Accommodations

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Hampton Inn South Kingstown, 20 Hotel Drive, South Kingstown, RI for Friday evening to Sunday morning (9/5/25 to 9/7/25) at the rate of $309/night on Friday and Saturday. Their standard rate is $399/night. When making reservations, please reference the Group Block Name: GSO Reunion/Knauss Celebration. The block is reserved until August 22. Guests can call the hotel directly at 401-788-3500 to book their rooms OR use this booking link.

URI Foundation & Alumni Engagement strives to provide inclusive access to events. If you need a reasonable accommodation or have a question about accessing this event, please call 401.874.2242 at least five business days in advance. For TTY assistance, please call the R.I. Relay Service at 711.