Renowned Marine Scientist to Explore Faith, Ecology, and Ocean Flourishing at George Fox University

Dr. Robert D. Sluka brings global stories of marine conservation to the 15th annual Dalton Lecture on Oct. 22

NEWBERG, Ore. — The George Fox University Department of Biology and Chemistry will host marine conservation scientist Dr. Robert D. Sluka for the 15th annual Dalton Lecture on Thursday, Oct. 22. The evening keynote, titled “Creatureliness and Marine Conservation: Is a Manatee Really My Neighbor?,” begins at 7:30 p.m. in Bauman Auditorium on the university’s Newberg campus. The event is free and open to the public.

Sluka, lead scientist for the A Rocha Marine Conservation Programme, will examine how Christian faith and ecological stewardship intersect to promote ocean flourishing. While traditional creation care often emphasizes stewardship and sustainability, marine habitats globally continue to face severe declines.

The lecture will explore how embracing humanity’s role as fellow creatures within God's creation can transform conservation efforts. Drawing on field examples from around the world – including shark protection in Kenya, estuary restoration in Florida, and penguin conservation in New Zealand – Sluka will address how the biblical concept of "creatureliness" offers actionable hope for the world's oceans.

In addition to the evening lecture, Sluka will deliver an afternoon science presentation titled “Hope for the Ocean: Marine Conservation in Action Around the World” at 3 p.m. in Bauman Auditorium.

A global researcher and author of Connected By Water, Sluka focuses his research on marine biodiversity, plastic pollution, fisheries, and marine protected areas. He has conducted field studies across Australia, India, Great Britain, and the United States, and currently directs A Rocha’s international initiatives protecting marine species and partnering with local churches to engage in active conservation.

The Dalton Lecture Series honors John Dalton (1766–1844), a Quaker scientist known for developing modern atomic theory. Sponsored annually by the Department of Biology and Biochemistry, the series brings nationally recognized scientists to campus to share their research and demonstrate the integration of rigorous scientific inquiry and Christian faith.

George Fox University, Oregon’s largest private university, is a U.S. News & World Report “Best National University,” enrolling more than 4,000 students across its Newberg campus, regional centers in Portland and Redmond, and online. The institution offers more than 60 undergraduate programs and 22 graduate degrees. George Fox is a leader in flexible education, featuring accelerated online bachelor’s degrees tailored for working adults.

Contact: 

Carly Reumann

creumann@georgefox.edu

503-554-2101