Sylvia Earle
May 13, 2026, 9:30 a.m., Rick Case Arena
Graduate/Professional Ceremony: Arts & Sciences, Education
Sylvia Earle, Ph.D., is one of the most influential ocean explorers of our time. A scientist, author, advocate, and National Geographic Explorer, she is often affectionately called “Her Deepness” for her record‑setting dives and for devoting her life to understanding and protecting the global resource that sustains our planet.
After first falling in love with the ocean as a child exploring tidepools and seagrass beds along Florida’s Gulf Coast, she went on to study marine botany and use scuba diving to study ocean plants firsthand, repeatedly breaking barriers in science and exploration.
She became the first woman to serve as chief scientist of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), led more than 100 expeditions, and logged more than 7,000 hours underwater. She has also authored more than 200 publications and helped advance the technological and scientific capabilities of deep-ocean research.
In 1970, she commanded the first all‑female team of “aquanauts” who lived for days underwater in the Tektite II habitat, and in 1979 set a world record by walking solo on the seafloor at a depth of 1,250 feet in a JIM suit. She later cofounded Deep Ocean Engineering, which designed and built advanced submersibles.
In 2009, she founded Mission Blue to advance a global network of protected marine areas known as “Hope Spots,” working with communities, scientists, and governments to safeguard critical ecosystems. Through her research, advocacy, and mentorship, Earle continues to inspire action and a deeper sense of responsibility for the future of the planet.