May 17, 2010, Greencastle, Ind. — "Marine biologist Wallace J. Nichols, Ph.D. is a scientist, educator, author and conservationist but he describes his occupation in straightforward terms: 'I work for the oceans,'" begins a story in the June issue of Experience Life magazine, which features the 1989 DePauw University graduate on the cover. The accompanying article, headlined "A Friend of the Sea," notes, "Since 2003, the 42-year-old has been a research associate at the California Academy of Sciences and co-director of Ocean Revolution, a global network of young ocean activists."

Laine Bergeson writes, "The author of more than 50 scientific papers, book chapters and popular articles on sea turtle ecology and ocean conversation, Nichols advises graduate students across the world.  He is passionate about bringing people together to appreciate and protect a part of the earth that is more vulnerable than it seems."

"Our actions, wherever we are, matter to the future of the ocean," Dr. Nichols tells the magazine.  "And the future of the ocean matters to us."

Learn more at the magazine's Web site.

J. Nichols, who is known by his middle initial, will provide the principal address at DePauw's 171st commencement ceremony, this Sunday, May 23. Dr. Nichols' work has been featured inNational Geographic, Scientific American, TIME andNewsweek, and was seen in Leonardo DiCaprio's documentary, The 11th Hour. Nichols was one of nine "eco-all-stars" cited in the March 2008 issue of Outsidemagazine.

Learn more in this recent article.

For a ninth consecutive year, DePauw will produce a DVD of its commencement ceremonies, which will include footage of each graduate receiving their DePauw diploma as well as a range of bonus materials -- including clips of Ubben Lecturers such as Tony Blair, Karl Rove and Howard Dean, Jason Reitman, Jane Pauley, Todd Rundgren and F.W. de Klerk; "Monon Memories" of the last four battles for the Monon Bell; footage of thewomen's basketball team capturing the national championship; and vintage film from the DePauw Archives. Orders are now being accepted at $19.95 for the first disc; additional DVDs sent to the same address will be $8 each (7% sales tax will be added to Indiana orders). An online order form is available here; you can learn more about the disc in this article. (at left: cover art of the 2009 Commencement DVD)

For more information on DePauw's commencement, click here.