HARBOR BRANCH - OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

FAU & HBOI TO BREAK GROUND ON MARINE SCIENCE PARTNERSHIP BUILDING

FORT PIERCE, FL (November 18, 2004) - Florida Atlantic University and the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution will break ground on a new Marine Science Partnership Building on Monday, November 22 at 2 p.m. at Harbor Branch, 5600 U.S. 1 North, Fort Pierce.

"It is with great anticipation and much excitement that we will break ground on this new building, which will house internationally recognized marine science research," said FAU President Frank T. Brogan. "FAU and Harbor Branch faculty and students will perform the work they enjoy, and give something back to the community at large through their extensive research."

The Marine Science Partnership Building, which received $11 million in state appropriations, is the result of visionary Treasure Coast leaders and the local state legislative delegation. The 40,000 square foot, two-story building will serve as a unique, state-of-the-art research and teaching facility.

"We're pleased that Harbor Branch and FAU have been partners in marine education & research for more than a decade", said Harbor Branch President & CEO Shirley Pomponi. "Now, this building will provide the facilities needed to expand that relationship with new programs in marine science and research at both the undergraduate and graduate level. Our goal is to train the next generation of marine scientists, resource managers, and biotechnologists".

The research building, set to open in late spring 2006, will include laboratories and support labs primarily for biology and chemistry research, with a special emphasis on marine science. In addition to the labs, the building will house a conference room, with distance learning capability.

"The FAU/Harbor Branch facility will provide unique and highly valuable opportunities to keep our best and brightest students," said Florida Senator Ken Pruitt. "The significant research conducted as a result of this partnership will help support the economic vitality and sustainability of the Treasure Coast."

FAU and Harbor Branch have developed a unique partnership in which FAU students may obtain year-round educational opportunities in marine science. Students are trained in the areas of marine biology, natural resources, marine biotechnology, marine science, and environmental education.

For more information on the Marine Science Partnership Building, contact FAU Vice President Gerri McPherson at 772-873-6336.

MEDIA CONTACTS: Mark Schrope (HBOI), 772-465-2400 x. 433; schrope@hboi.edu - Kristine M. McGrath (FAU), 561-297-1168; kmcgrath@fau.edu

Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution is one of the world's leading nonprofit oceanographic research organizations devoted to the study of the earth's oceans, estuaries and coastal regions. Known for its ship and submersible operations, the Institution produces internationally renowned research in marine science, environmental science, biomedical marine research, marine mammal research and conservation, aquaculture and ocean engineering.

Florida Atlantic University opened its doors in 1964 as the fifth public university in Florida. Today, the university serves 26,000 undergraduate and graduate students on seven campuses strategically located along 150 miles of Florida's southeastern coastline. Building on its rich tradition as a teaching university, with a world-class faculty, FAU hosts eight colleges Ð the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts & Letters, the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, and the Colleges of Business, Education, Engineering, and Architecture, Urban & Public Affairs. The University is observing its 40th anniversary this year.

HARBOR BRANCH Oceanographic Institution was founded in Ft. Pierce, Fla., in 1971 to support the exploration and conservation of the world's oceans. The institution has held to this mission and grown into one of the world's leading oceanographic institutions with a 500-acre campus, over 200 personnel, and a fleet of sophisticated research ships and submersibles.