San Clemente Resident Harry Agger Named Ocean Institute's 2009 Volunteer of the Year

SAN CLEMENTE, CA, May 5, 2009 - The Ocean Institute is pleased to announce that Harry Agger of San Clemente has been selected as its 2009 Volunteer of the Year. Agger has been a volunteer since 2002, greeting visitors at the information booth, helping out with special events and volunteer training, and assisting with the Institute's overnight and weekend programs.

Volunteer Director Linda Blanchard remarked, "Harry has raised the bar for service and dedication. He is a man of quick wit who enthusiastically shares with us his knowledge and experience."

Agger has also worked to improve the Institute's robotics labs, providing thousands of visitors and students the opportunity to explore deep-sea technology. Blanchard noted, "He is our 'Good Doctor'... he intuitively recognizes and mends our technical maladies, and his weekly check-ups keep our ROV's healthy and our staff and visitors happier than ever."

Agger is originally from Manchester, England. He moved to the United States in 1965, and has lived in both Texas and Southern California.

Before coming to San Clemente in 2002, he served as a docent the Houston Zoo and Museum of Natural Science. He and wife Valerie began volunteering at the Institute at the suggestion of a friend. In addition to their work at the Institute, he and Valerie serve as volunteer tide pool monitors at Crystal Cove.

Agger remarked, "I've enjoyed my time at the Institute. For years, my career was in the physical sciences. It's nice to be involved on the biological side."

Additional volunteers for the Ocean Institute are always welcome. Contact Linda Blanchard at (949) 496-2274, ext. 221.