Retired Delaware Sea Grant Director Receives National Award

Jim Falk, a long-time leader in the community through his work at Delaware Sea Grant, was honored by the Sea Grant Extension Assembly for his contributions to the state and national program after his retirement last year. The Reporter, Delaware Sea Grant’s annual report released at the end of June, noted Falk received the William Q. Wick Visionary Career Leadership Award for Administration during a ceremony which took place in Astoria, Oregon this past fall. The award is one of the highest honors a Sea Grant extension agent can receive.

This award recognizes Falk’s outstanding performance as a knowledgeable leader and his many contributions to Sea Grant extension, which provides technical and science‐based information to communities in order to address local needs. Falk spent 39 years with Delaware Sea Grant, ending as acting director of the program.

In addition to serving as associate director of Delaware Sea Grant for most of his career, Falk went above and beyond in his efforts to understand coastal issues affecting Delaware and circulate this information to residents. From nature’s effects on Delaware’s tourist economy to how boaters and fishermen make use of natural resources, in his research Falk’s goal was always broadening his understanding of Delaware’s coastal communities.

His dedication to Delaware Sea Grant and the people of coastal Delaware whom it serves made Falk a terrific leader and gained the attention of all those who worked with him. Delaware Sea Grant congratulates him on the well-deserved William Q. Wick Visionary Career Leadership Award for Administration.