Marcos Stoltzfus ’06 named director for the Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary
Marcos Stoltzfus claims he’s a “geek for nonprofits.” The friendly, easy-going Stoltzfus, 40, is keen on science, the environment and people, too.
Environmental & Marine Science Major
About
Our environmental and marine sciences program will take you around the globe. From studying marine biology in our marine bio lab in the Florida Keys during our Marine Biology Semester to studying natural resources and performing controlled burns in the savannas of Kenya. On-campus, you will be just a short walk away from Witmer Woods Arboretum and the College Cabin, which serve as the prime educational research sites located on the Elkhart River.
Make a difference and travel the world with Goshen College. Learn about marine life, marine organisms, ocean sciences, climate change, sustainable development, and aquatic systems.
Transform Lives, Protect the Environment, and Restore the Planet
Students at Goshen College are part of a community of learners dedicated to finding restorative solutions for the world’s sustainability problems. Students may choose ecology or earth & climate science focus. A major in environmental and marine science from Goshen College will prepare you to work in environmental policy, manage resources, teach environmental science, restore ecosystems, conduct research, and more.
Our students gain hands-on experience taking classes at the college’s Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center, our 1,189-acre nature preserve and field laboratory. Merry Lea also offers residential programs like the Sustainability Leadership Semester, where you can investigate local wetlands and prairies, and live with other students in Rieth Village’s green buildings.
With a degree in environmental and marine science from Goshen College, you will be prepared for a career in national policy, resource management, environmental education, ecosystem restoration, marine biology, or environmental research. You will also be equipped to pursue post-graduate studies in environmental science or a related field.
Find Solutions to Sustainability Challenges
In choosing Goshen College’s environmental and marine science major, students join a community of scholars committed to working toward restorative solutions for our world’s sustainability challenges. We share a passion for restoring right relationships with each other and the natural world.
Possible careers include Coast Guard, fisheries management, federal agencies, graduate study, oceanography, marine biologist, and more.
Join a Community of Scholars with a Common Mission
If you are passionate about environmental issues and want to make a difference globally, Goshen College’s environmental and marine science program is the right choice for you. We hope you join us! Financial aid options are available.
News & Events
Alumni Spotlight: Q+A with Ben Beachy ’04 from the White House
Since November 2024, Ben Beachy has worked in the White House as a Special Assistant to President Biden for climate policy, industrial sector and community investment.
Drew Weber ’06: Meet the bird-lover behind the wildly popular Merlin Bird ID app
Unless you’ve had your head buried in the sand this summer, you’ve probably heard of the Merlin Bird ID App. It’s a creation of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology that allows you to identify birds you see or hear, with ease. Over the course of this year, it’s been downloaded by millions of people who use it to identify thousands of species of birds based on their song. And the man behind the app is 2006 Goshen College graduate named Drew Weber.
Stats
>50
Number of years the marine biology program has operated in the Florida Keys
#3
Ranking among the 40 best college farms, according to CollegeRanker.com
>50
Number of years the marine biology program has operated in the Florida Keys
#2
Ranking in the percentage of graduates going on to earn doctorates among all Indiana institutions
12
Acres of lawn Goshen College has restored to native landscaping
1,189
Acres of land to explore at GC’s Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center
Learn more about Goshen College's exceptional academic outcomes and national rankings.
Three Track Options
The environmental science major is completed via one of three different tracks, which creates a plan of study to match your interests. We also offer minors in our environmental science program in sustainability and agroecology.
Ecology Track
Applying research skills to understanding our ecological world
Coursework and fieldwork prepares students for careers in ecology, wildlife studies (with field work programs in Kenya),botany, marine biology, forestry, or other field biology vocations. The college offers May-term classes at the J.N. Roth Marine Biology station and multiple field classes at our 1,189 acre field station, Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center.
Earth & Climate Science Track
Applying research skills to understanding and tackling the global and local effects of climate change
Highlights the connections between climate change, and human and environmental health, with grounding in the physical sciences including geology, climate and soil science. You will be immersed in research and study in the field (including at the J.N. Roth Marine Biology station) and through laboratory investigations in our local community.
Marine Biology Track
Explores the management and ecology of marine systems — for students interested in careers in oceanography, coastal systems or marine policy. Includes participation in the the college’s new Marine Biology Semester in the Florida Keys.
Students & Alumni
Environmental & Marine Science
Joshua Liechty '19 and Keila Flores '20
Keila Flores is an environmental & marine science major from Goshen, and Joshua Liechty is a molecular biology/biochemistry major from Archbold, Ohio. They spent the summer of 2018 interning in the Florida Keys.
Joshua's story
Biology, Environmental Science
Sky McKinnell '19 and Joshua Schwalm '21
Skye McKinnell is an environmental science major from Salem, Oregon, and Joshua Schwalm is a biology major from Elkhart, Indiana. Both worked with a local aquatic biologist doing electro-fishing and fish research.
Sky's story
Agroecology Summer Intensive
Bekah Schrag ’18
Bekah’s major was environmental science, but she has a particular passion for food systems. Bekah helped to develop the garden outside of Goshen College’s cafeteria and led the campus composting program.
Bekah's story
Professor of Biology
Ryan Sensenig
"Peacemaking begins with understanding our world and our connection to it -- promoting peace is increasingly about caring for ecological systems on which humans depend."
Ryan's story
student
Kalen Guynes ’23
Kalen Guynes ’23 an environmental and marine science major from Elkhart, Indiana, has always had a fascination with the natural world and wants to work with the Department of Natural Resources.
Kalen's story
Environmental Science Major
Thomas Leonard '15
Thomas Leonard is an environmental science major from Columbus, Ohio. He enjoys watching comedies (“Anchorman” is his favorite), cheering for the Buckeyes and listening to the Lumineers and Macklemore.
Thomas' storyFaculty & Staff
View Profile
Jonathon Schramm
Professor of Sustainability and Environmental Education
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(260) 799-5869
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Merry Lea
