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Henderson’s Legacy Lives on at the Marine Science Consortium

An “educational display” was recently presented to the Marine Science Consortium to honor the late Dr. Alex Henderson, Jr.

On December 19, 2011, a display was presented to the Marine Science Consortium (MSC) to honor the late Dr. Alex Henderson, Jr., Millersville University professor emeritus of biology.

Dr. David Zegers initiated the project in April 2010 after a request was placed by the executive director of the MSC for ideas concerning artwork or displays to adorn the new Environmental Learning Center, which was due to open the following fall at the MSC field station at Wallops Island, Va.

“Henderson had a dream of a marine field station for teaching and research, initiated organizational activities to pursue that dream, and with the help of colleagues from Millersville and other institutions of higher education, was ultimately able to realize the establishment of the MSC,” said Zegers, who formed the ad hoc committee that discussed ideas for honoring Henderson. The committee consisted of Zegers and Kenneth Miller, retired professors of biology, Albert Hoffman, retired dean of science and mathematics, Adeline Henderson, Alex’s widow, and Alexander Henderson, III, Esq., Alex and Adeline’s son. Zegers and Hoffman served as chairs and organizers.

The display created to honor Dr. Henderson, located at the MSC.

The committee decided upon an “educational display” with three framed pieces that included copies of some of the illustrations of marine life drawn by Henderson, copies of photographs and explanatory text.

“The idea was to provide some information about the role Alex played in the formation of the MSC, as well as information about him as a scientist, teacher and artist,” said Zegers, who describes Henderson as “a man with very broad interests, talents and expertise.”

“We hope Dr. Henderson would be incredibly proud of how the Marine Science Consortium has grown and flourished since he initiated its formation more than 44 years ago,” said Amber Parker, executive director of the MSC. “Today, MSC is a vibrant community of learners of all ages and walks of life. College students gain valuable field experience, while in summer residence or on a weekend field trip, and thousands of middle and high school students, summer campers, adults and families explore coastal environments in MSC’s trademark hands-on, feet-wet method. Dr. Henderson’s legacy of scientific curiosity and life-long exploration of our natural world can be seen in the face of every learner at MSC.”

Henderson passed away on February 8, 2010. In his 36-year-career at Millersville, he served as much more than a professor. In addition to being an important figure in the transformation of Millersville State Teachers College to Millersville State College and then to Millersville University, in 1958 he became the coordinator of the newly formed biology section within the science department. He served as director of sciences and allied health from 1963-1967, and when the science department was separated into several departments in 1967, Henderson became the first chairperson of the new biology department. Along with the role he played in initiating what became the MSC, he also played an important role in the development of the allied health programs at Millersville.

After his retirement, the Alex Henderson Scholarship was established and named in his honor to support projects by outstanding biology students that are interdisciplinary in nature. “In keeping with the life of Alex Henderson, this scholarship is to encourage undergraduates to combine their interests and expertise in biology with their interests and talents in the arts, humanities or other academic areas,” explains Zegers.

One reply on “Henderson’s Legacy Lives on at the Marine Science Consortium”

I am a graduate student in History at Millersville currently writing my thesis on the founding and early development of the Marine Science Consortium. I attended MSC as a “POP” student (Pre-College Oceanographic Program) in 1974 and again in 1981. My experiences at the Wallops Island Marine Science Center strongly influenced my career as a scholar and educator. An extensive and rich archive of materials relating to the Marine Science Consortium has been collected by former MSC director and MU emeritus prof B.L. Oostdam. Making this archive public could be a further way to honor the legacy of Alex Henderson.

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