From ashes to action: Community rallies for College of Marine Science
- Mark Parker
- 6 hours ago
- 4 min read
While years of invaluable research went up in flames earlier this month, an “Ocean of Support” is proving that St. Petersburg’s marine science sector is too vital to stay submerged for long.
Nearly 400 people attended the Ocean of Support benefit on Friday evening at the Maritime and Defense Technology Hub. Local leaders began organizing the fundraiser, held in the shadow of the Marine Science Laboratory’s charred remains, less than 48 hours after a suspected lightning strike set the facility on the University of South Florida St. Petersburg campus ablaze.
Thousands of dollars raised at the event will benefit the USF College of Marine Science and the Florida Institute of Oceanography. Looking out over a throng of supporters, Dr. Tom Frazer, dean of the college, called the moment “huge.”
“Sometimes when you have a tragedy, you see the best in people,” Frazer told Power Broker Magazine. “And that’s certainly what’s happened here in St. Pete. The outpouring of support has been amazing, and it warms your heart.”
The benefit also offered stakeholders an opportunity to thank some of the approximately 200 firefighters who helped extinguish the blaze on May 2. While no injuries were reported, the World War II-era building along Bayboro Harbor is likely a total loss.
Frazer noted that video footage clearly shows lightning striking the laboratory. A fire inspector is still discerning if that was the primary or a contributing cause.
Stakeholders have speculated that the college lost millions of dollars' worth of research equipment. Frazer said insurance adjustors are still assessing the damage, and “that information will take a while to compile.”
“We’re going to try to work through that as fast as we possibly can,” he added. “Our goal is to get our college operational again as quickly as possible.”
There are silver linings. Frazer said some biological and geological samples, prioritized for evacuation during recent hurricanes, were salvaged. Much of the data extracted from computer equipment is still usable, and instrumentation is rebuildable or replaceable.
“The journey is going to be a long one, but we’ll get there,” Frazer said. “Time will tell a little bit, but I think we feel pretty good about our efforts to get everything we could.”
Dozens of researchers were displaced due to the fire. Frazer said state and federal agencies throughout St. Petersburg’s Innovation District, and the university, have offered emergency space.
Frazer noted that society faces complex environmental challenges. “The work that we did, the science that we did, is not just of local importance - it’s of regional, national, and even international importance,” he said.
“So, sometimes out of tragedy, people see the value of what you do, and I think that message was really helpful.”
The surrounding community’s response to Ocean of Support underscored his sentiment. Attendees bought all 1,000 raffle tickets, and a silent auction raised an undisclosed amount of additional funding.
The event featured live paintings by local artists Alyssa Marie and Zulu Painter, who donated the artwork. Duke Energy, Thrive Downtown, and Rock Bottom Charters also provided auction and raffle prizes.
Carved & Crafted Catering at USF, the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership, and the innovation district provided food and sodas. Councilmember Mike Harting, owner of 3 Daughters Brewing, Great Bay Distributors, and Republic National Distributing Company, donated beer, hard seltzers, and wine.
A massive water station and event supplies were provided by the City of St. Petersburg. The Grind campus cafe offered coffee, tea, and pastries, and Pacuigo hosted a gelato station.
City Councilmember Gina Driscoll, who led efforts to organize the event, said inviting St. Petersburg Fire Rescue, which extended a ladder truck over the crowd, was a priority. The aptly-titled Ocean Road Band performed a multi-hour set for free.
“I’ve never been a person who has a comfort level with feeling helpless, and I thought, you know what, I’m just going to get some people together and raise some money,” said Driscoll, who found an immediate and enthusiastic partner in Alison Barlow, executive director of the St. Petersburg Innovation District.
“The fire was on a Saturday night, and the following Monday we were rolling.”
Driscoll noted that marine science is a “big economic driver” in St. Petersburg. She also pledged that the event is “just the beginning,” and stakeholders would “do more as we move forward.”
Frazer, who became emotional as he addressed attendees, said the outpouring of support restored his faith in humanity. “We’re going to come back, we’re going to be bigger, and we’re going to be better - and we’re going to be all of that because of all of you.”
To donate to the USF College of Marine Science fund, visit the website here.
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