THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 23, 1996 TAG: 9606200201
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 43 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 113 lines
WHEN RHETT WHITE came to the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island as its director 16 years ago, the walls were tumbling down - literally.
``We had only a few exhibits, and the siding on the building was falling off,'' White recalls. ``We set about having to fill the building up with something. We literally had to beg and borrow any exhibits that were maritime or marine related.''
Nearly two decades of work have paid off for the aquarium, which, along with state aquariums at Fort Fisher and Pine Knoll Shores, generates $21 million for the state's tourist economy.
The labor has also paid off for White. On June 1, White was appointed division director of the three North Carolina aquariums. The job pays $66,712 annually. White, 50, replaces Ned Smith, who resigned to become executive director of the Scripps Aquarium in La Jolla, Calif.
Until a new director is appointed at the Roanoke Island aquarium, White juggles the two jobs, leaving for his Raleigh office at 4 a.m. Monday, and returning to Manteo for work at his old job on Fridays and Saturdays. A replacement for White on Roanoke island is expected to be on board some time this fall.
White said there have been no surprises so far in his new post.
``It's nothing that I didn't expect,'' said White, a former assistant superintendent of the Dare County Schools. ``The toughest part is the drive between here and Raleigh.''
One of the first major hurdles White will have to clear in the new job will be funding for a major renovation at the Roanoke Island Aquarium. Gov. Jim Hunt included $10 million in his capital budget for the expansion effort.
``I'm optimistic that we'll be getting funding, if not in this short session, in the next session, beginning here at Roanoke Island and then for the other aquariums,'' White said. ``We're keeping the planning process going so that we'll be ready if and when the money becomes available.''
As a lifelong educator, White said he is interested in expanding the role of North Carolina's aquariums in environmental education.
``The thing I'm going to be most interested in is helping the three aquariums define our role in environmental education, with an emphasis on tackling some of the issues like water quality and hog waste spills. We need to let people know that the aquariums provide a valuable role in helping preserve the coastal environment.''
White also wants to spread word about the aquariums statewide.
``The aquariums are well-known in the coastal area,'' White said. ``But once we get west of Raleigh, the knowledge that the state operates three aquariums diminishes. We have to let people know that this is something here for them to enjoy.''
Some in the General Assembly have unsuccessfully sought consolidation of the three aquariums into one more centrally located facility. However, White defended the current structure.
``There was an effort made in the legislature that there be some kind of merger,'' White said. ``We take the position that there is a good rationale for having three modest aquariums as opposed to a large site like the National Aquarium in Baltimore. From a tourism standpoint, the aquariums are located in three very distinct coastal environments. There's very little overlap.
``From a display standpoint, we have the greatest diversity of marine animal and plant life of any state on the East Coast,'' White said.
White contended that consolidation would decrease the aquariums' effectiveness as an educational resource.
``We have 60,000 to 70,000 schoolchildren who visit every year,'' White says. ``If we consolidated into one site, the numbers would be nowhere near that.''
Despite the quest for expansion funding, and criticism of the aquariums among some lawmakers, White said he doesn't dread dealing with the General Assembly.
``I understand the complexities of the political process,'' White said. ``I think there can be some satisfaction in working with those various facets that operate in state government.''
Along with calls for consolidation, there have been other criticisms. Environmental groups charge that the aquariums have not been aggressive enough in protecting marine mammals.
``We're well aware of that criticism,'' White said. ``But we're open seven days a week, all but three days a year, and we have a very small staff. It's a matter of time and resources.''
White said that expansion will result in a larger staff and greater involvement in mammal rescue and rehabilitation.
``One of the problems is that there are no resources available to reimburse the aquariums for any rescue or rehabilitation work they do. If we rescue a sea turtle or a harbor seal the cost for veterinary bills and everything comes from our budget.''
In his years at Roanoke Island, White has seen a number of changes, including admission fees for the aquarium for the first time in 1994.
How would he like his tenure on Roanoke Island to be remembered?
``I'd like for people to remember that Rhett White was part of a dedicated, professional staff that made the transition from a building with no exhibits, barely any staff and a mission that was barely focused, to something the people of North Carolina can be proud of.'' MEMO: JUST THE FACTS
Name: Rhett Butler White
Age: 50
Post: Division director of the North Carolina Aquariums, overseeing
the state's three aquariums at Roanoke Island, Pine Knoll Shores and
Fort Fisher.
Previous job: Director of the North Carolina Aquarium at Roanoke
Island from 1980 until 1996.
Education: A.B., in Political Science, Atlantic Christian College,
1968.
Master's in Education, East Carolina University, 1974. Further
postgraduate work at ECU, 1975-77.
School for Professional Management Development for Zoo and Aquarium
Personnel conducted by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, and
North Carolina State University.
Family: Wife, Gwen, and two sons. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by DREW WILSON
Rhett White, a lifelong educator, says he's interested in expanding
the role of North Carolina's aquariums in environmental education. by CNB