Captain Wayne Hasson Legacy Scholarship
The Sea of Change Foundation and Florida Prepaid College Foundation are offering a 4-year, undergraduate scholarship (to cover full tuition; $25,000) to an incoming freshman at any public college or university in the State of Florida beginning Fall 2022. The scholarship is established in loving memory of Captain Wayne Hasson and his legacy of marine conservation and education for the youth of Florida and the world.
Download Scholarship Application and Essay Contest Officials Rules
Submit complete Application to Scholarships@seaofchange.com by 11:59 pm ET, June 15, 2022
About the Florida Prepaid College and Sea of Change Foundations’ Captain Wayne Hasson Legacy Scholarship
SCOPE: The scholarship will fund one worthy scholar (based on a personal essay, academic merit and two letters of recommendation) for four academic years of tuition coverage at any eligible Florida college or university with a marine science department or program. The selected scholar will have demonstrated a love for the ocean and plans to pursue a career in marine science, conservation, and/or education. After selection of the first scholar (in 2022), should funding be available, the scholarship may be made available for the same application process in coming years.
PURPOSE & POLICY: The purpose of the proposed scholarship is to create an opportunity for a worthy and student to pursue an ocean science/conservation/education four-year degree in Florida. Inspiring and empowering students to be good stewards of our oceans was the core of Captain Wayne Hasson’s life-long work, and through this scholarship, his purpose will continue.
ELIGABILITY – All scholarship applicants/recipients must
- Be less than 21 years of age at the time of application
- Be a resident of Florida or have a resident alien status & a valid SSN
- Have and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.7 (B-) or higher
- Stay in a Marine Science or Marine Conservation related course of study as an undergraduate in an eligible Florida college or University
- Submit a complete application to Scholarships@seaofchange.com by the posted deadline (above and on the downloadable application)
About Wayne Hasson
Captain Wayne Hasson was a family man, Marine, SCUBA Diver extraordinaire and instructor, boat captain, pilot, world traveler and true pioneer in the SCUBA diving industry. Wayne was born in Columbus, Ohio, lived in the Cayman Islands for 20 years, then settled in Naples, Florida in 1999. Wayne fell in love with the sea at an early age while living at the Outer Banks of North Carolina. There he learned boating, diving, fishing, and boat building. He studied business and accounting at East Carolina University. Wayne was a proud U.S. Marine serving from 1970 – 1978, including a tour to the Far East supporting operations in Vietnam and service aboard USS Okinawa assisting in the evacuation of Saigon. After the Marines, he moved to the Cayman Islands where he managed “Casa Bertmar” Dive Resort and met his wife, Anne.
In 1984, Wayne became the first captain of the new Cayman Aggressor (one of the first liveaboard dive yachts). The fleet later became an internationally recognized brand and leader in exploratory and expeditionary travel known as Aggressor Adventures, with luxury yachts at the best dive, safari and river boat locations around the world. Wayne became partner and President of the new, expanded company until his passing.
Wayne’s passion was to inspire youth to explore, understand, and respect the ocean and its wildlife through SCUBA diving, ocean education, and conservation. He was also an avid pilot and encouraged countless students of all ages to fly through the Young Eagles program. Wayne served on numerous company boards and business groups, including President of the Cayman Islands Watersports Association, Vice President of the Sister Islands Tourism Association, the Diving Equipment & Marketing Association (DEMA), Board of Directors, Cayman Islands Hurricane Relief Team, the Sea of Change Foundation, Oceans for Youth Foundation, Friends of Rookery Bay, and the Florida Gulf Coast University’s Eagles Club Advisory Board.
Wayne received numerous awards throughout his career, including: Beneath the Sea’s “Legend Award,” “Pioneer Award,” and “Diver of the Year – Environment Award,”; SCUBA Schools International “Platinum Pro 5000 Recognition Award”; Rotary Foundation’s “Paul Harris Fellow Award”; and was inducted into the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame. Wayne was an active member of the Naples Pelican Bay Rotary Club and the Naples Marine Corps League, E.T. Brisson Detachment, and donated much of his personal time to ocean conservation and civic service.
Please email Samantha(at)seaofchange.com with any questions regarding the scholarship or application process
