By Heather Fabritze
News Co-Editor
Washington College beloved faculty member Doug Levin passed away, leaving behind a long legacy of programs and community connections behind him.
A recent retiree from WC’s Center for Environment and Society, Levin suffered a heart attack on Aug. 20 in British Col.
Levin began his esteemed career at WC when he became the Associate Director for CES in 2011. Over his 12 years at the center, he developed instrumental initiatives and learning programs revolving around the study of the environment. He quickly began a mapping and water quality program for the Chester River Watershed Observatory.
His work on buoys and aquatic robotics led him across Kent and Queen Anne’s counties as he adapted his programming to undergraduate and K-12 studies. This mission also took him around the United States and abroad, bringing global awareness to WC.
One of his favorite things to do as a professor was to travel: he visited dozens of countries internationally, including Taiwan, Veracruz, Zaire, Russia, Peru, Belize, Greenland, and Malta. His globetrotting nature led him to becoming active in the European Marine Science Educators Association and Asia Marine Educators Association.
Among WC’s community, one of his most impactful roles was as a contributor to the Chesapeake Semester.
Graduate Research Assistant at Palinkas Lab at Horn Point Laboratory Erika Koontz ‘17 was one of his students in the program. She recalls that his vast intelligence, cryptic delivery, and “uniquely entrepreneurial spirit” was a perfect match for the experience’s nomadic nature.
“Doug was one of the first professors to shatter the expectation that his name be preceded by ‘doctor’ or ‘professor’ in greeting, as that formality got in the way of establishing an interpersonal connection between student and teacher,” Koontz said. “I liked that about Doug — that he didn’t care much for formalities, and instead embraced a colloquial form of communication, which, ironically, increased my respect for him and made asking questions easier.”
Associate Professor of Biology Dr. Martin Connaughton also knew Levin through the Chesapeake Semester, teaching alongside him. According to Dr. Connaughton, on one trip to Peru, Levin subtly noticed that he was admiring a sweater. It was Dr. Connaughton’s birthday, so Levin returned later on his own and bought it as a gift.
“Doug was one of a kind,” Dr. Connaughton said. “His jokes and puns ranged from bad to worse, but he knew this and so did we, so they made us laugh anyway. I’ll miss him.”
Dr. Connaughton said that Levin was infamous for his style of teaching. He would ask questions constantly to sharpen students’ analytical skills, often quoting one of his earliest mentors “Doc” Edgerton: “Teach so that they don’t realize that they’re learning until it’s too late.”
Biologist for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Kelly Dobroski ‘16 was another student of Levin’s. She claims that, ultimately, his impact is “how much he influenced those around him.”
“From teaching students to always be curious, not just memorize information, to teaching his colleagues how to have more fun through their lesson planning, Doug led many of us to be not only better in our careers, but truly to be better people,” Dobroski said. “And that reach goes far beyond the College grounds.”
The lasting connection he built with his students carried into much of his work, including his founding of the Watershed Innovation Lab in 2019, which continues to pull the interest of prospective students each year.
Senior Fellow and Director Emeritus of CES Dr. John Seidel, who worked with Levin for many years, witnessed the profound effect that he had on everyone around him. Above all, Seidel emphasized the deep love that Levin possessed for his students.
“He has left a legion of students who cherish their memories of his off-beat, infectious, and engaging teaching and who benefited from his generosity of spirit and long-term mentoring and support,” Dr. Seidel said. “Despite all of Doug’s many other professional accomplishments over a distinguished career, he would be the first to say that these students, along with his family, are his most important and lasting legacy.”
“I know I speak for myself and many others when I say I wouldn’t be who I am today without his positive impact as a professor and a mentor over the last decade,” Dobroski said. “He is truly, truly missed by those who were lucky enough to know him, and we are so lucky to have had someone like him at Washington College for as long as we did.”
Photo courtesy of WC website
Photo Caption: Late Doug Levin passed away on a fishing trip in British Columbia.