Four Waynesburg University students traveled to Titusville, Florida, during the 2025-26 winter break. Accompanied by Dr. Christian Hayes, assistant professor of biology and director of marine science, and Dr. Tracy Dohn, associate professor of biology, the group explored marine life along Florida’s Atlantic coast.
Participating students worked directly with A Rocha USA to conduct research on the plastic pollution threatening the local community and on the distribution of mole crabs along the beaches. They also visited two private schools to share their findings and conducted a biodiversity assessment on a local island that A Rocha adopted.
Unlike on past trips, the students had a unique opportunity to swim near a sleeping manatee and learn how to snorkel in Silver Glen Springs.
“It was a remarkable experience that accentuated to us all the beauty and fragility of these creatures,” Hayes said.
Both leaders and participants experienced moments of personal reflection and group discussion. Conversations about faith, community and stewardship were abundant.
“My favorite part of the trip this year was the individual conversations I had with several students about how faith integrates with science,” Hayes recalled.
Senior marine biology major Haley Pattison experienced moments of spiritual connection on the trip.
“One of my favorite moments actually happened on the first day, during an activity called Church with the Beach,” said Pattison. “We were encouraged to slow down, wander with intention, and reflect while walking along the shoreline.”
“It reminded me of the importance of sharing knowledge and encouraging others, especially the younger generations, to care about the environment.”
Service trips such as this often stimulate new ways of thinking about how the community impacts marine conservation. As the students served alongside the local neighborhoods, they furthered their ability to communicate and collaborate with others.
“On the trip, students were exposed to a new way of thinking about service, which directly integrates the idea of service with faith and conservation work,” Hayes explained.
Pattison even felt personally impacted by the trip as the group worked closely with the ecosystems they were studying.
“The opportunity to work directly with ongoing research and conservation efforts made current environmental issues feel more personal, especially seeing how specific ecosystems and species are affected by local conditions,” Pattison shared. “It helped me see how awareness leads to action, and how even small, intentional efforts can end up making a meaningful difference.”
Going forward, students’ lives are often affected by their service experiences.
“The experiences they have on this trip are ones that help them learn to both connect to each other and to the vocation God is calling them into,” Hayes said.
Pattison felt particularly affected after sharing her experiences with the local schools.
“It reminded me of the importance of sharing knowledge and encouraging others, especially the younger generations, to care about the environment,” she said. “It showed me the power of education and helped me seriously consider teaching as part of my future vocation.”
2025-26 trip participants included:
• Haley Pattison, a senior marine biology major
• Olivia Hicks, a junior marine biology major
• Savannah Lashmit, a junior marine biology major
• Markus Andrews, a freshman exploring major
For information regarding the 2026-27 winter break service trip to Florida, students are invited to contact Dr. Tracy Dohn at tdohn@waynesburg.edu.
About Waynesburg U.
Consistently ranked a best value school, Waynesburg University’s Strategy for the 21st Century affirms its commitment to developing an entrepreneurial mindset and ethical leadership skills for all students. Rooted in its mission of faith, learning and service, the private, Christian university is located on a traditional campus in the hills of southwestern Pennsylvania.
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