James A. Marsh Jr. is a storied professor, Emeritus Director of the Marine Lab, and Emeritus Dean of the Office of Graduate School and Research. Dr. Marsh arrived in Guam in 1970 when the Marine Lab was still under construction and has since dedicated his life to studying reefs in Guam and Micronesia.

Throughout his prolific career, Dr. Marsh has seen the lab and the university grow exponentially from a ragtag group of professors and researchers to an internationally renowned institution.

Dr. Marsh started this scholarship to give back to the island and to UOG. He especially hopes to encourage and support graduate students in pursuing thesis research to not only further their educational journey but contribute to an appreciation and understanding of the environment and resources of Guam and Micronesia.