Robert Barth

Having grown up on the water, Bob Barth fostered a love of the ocean that has only gotten stronger with age. After completing coursework in mathematics and math education at Florida State University, Barth entered the business world. But he never lost his love of the sea. A volunteer position at Mote Marine Animal Hospital helped him “rekindle the dream long lost.”

“I participated in the rehab of mother and calf Risso’s dolphins (Grampus griseus) and eventually became part of a historic release team — the first-ever release of mother and calf in the southeast marine mammal stranding network,” says Barth.

Not long afterward, he was accepted into the University of Miami’s five-year B.A./M.A. program in Marine Affairs. The curriculum enables students pursuing the undergraduate Marine Affairs track the opportunity to earn both a B.A. and an M.A. in coursework that covers broad marine policy issues and encourages critical problem-solving skills.