Mariner Talks: Voices that Shape the Coast
The Ever-Changing Georgia Coast
Mariner Talks: Voices that Shape the Coast is a speaker series at the College of Coastal Georgia that fosters meaningful connections between campus and community by bringing thought leaders to share diverse perspectives. Through intellectually engaging and culturally enriching dialogue, the series inspires curiosity, broadens understanding, and strengthens a vibrant culture of shared learning.
Join us for the next installment of Mariner Talks as acclaimed author, engineer, educator, and former Smithsonian Secretary Wayne Clough discusses his newest book, The Ever-Changing Georgia Coast: A Natural History of Its Creation, Transformation, and Future. Moderated by Emmy Award-winning writer and storyteller Jon Goode, this engaging conversation will explore the remarkable story of Georgia’s coast, from its natural formation and ecological evolution to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Wayne Clough was born in the rural South Georgia town of Douglas, Georgia. His family has deep roots in South Georgia, having lived there for seven generations. He attended Georgia Tech, earning two degrees in civil engineering and obtaining a Ph.D. in civil engineering at the University of California at Berkeley.
Clough served on the faculties of Stanford University, Duke University, Virginia Tech and the University of Washington. He was the first alumnus to serve as president of Georgia Tech. During his tenure from 1994 until 2008, the campus hosted the 1996 Olympic Village, campus infrastructure was doubled, Technology Square was created, and Georgia Tech was named among the top 10 public universities in the nation. Upon retirement from Georgia Tech in 2008, he served as secretary of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. until 2015. During his tenure, the National Museum of African American History and Culture was completed, which hosted over 500 exhibitions, and the Smithsonian raised $1.5 billion, a first for the institution.
During his career, Dr. Clough was elected to the National Academy of Engineering and the National Academy of Arts and Sciences. He received honorary doctorates from 12 universities and served on the National Science Board and the President’s Council on Science and Technology.
Today, he lectures on conservation issues, his love for the coast of Georgia, and in support of financially disadvantaged students through the Georgia Tech Promise Program that has provided over 1,000 students with a debt free education. He has written four books, one of which, Things New and Strange: A Southerner’s Journey Through the Smithsonian Collections, won the Georgia Writer’s Association award for best history in 2020. His fifth book, The Ever Changing Georgia Coast, A Natural History of Its Creation, Transformation, and Future, will be published by Smithsonian Books.
Jon Goode is an Emmy Award winning writer raised in Richmond, VA and currently residing in Atlanta, GA. Jon’s work has been featured on CNN, HBO, VH1, MTV, TVOne, and BET. His writing earned him the 2006 Promax Gold for the best copyright in North America, and in 2022, he won a gold American Advertising Award, and a Silver Telly. Jon’s collection of poems and short stories, Conduit, was #1 on Amazon for 16 weeks. His debut novel, Mydas, and his latest collection of short stories, Black Curio, were both #1 new titles on Amazon for five weeks. All are available wherever you buy books. Jon is a host and storyteller with The Moth. www.jon-goode.com | IG @jon_goode
Drawing on a lifetime of scholarship, conservation advocacy, and deep personal connections to coastal Georgia, Dr. Clough offers a fascinating look at one of the nation’s most dynamic and treasured landscapes. Audience members will gain insight into the history, science, and future of the Georgia coast while reflecting on the ways environmental change continues to shape communities, ecosystems, and public policy.
Through an engaging discussion with Jon Goode, attendees can expect a thoughtful and accessible exploration of coastal resilience, conservation, and the enduring importance of this unique region to Georgia’s identity.
Mariner Talks will be located in Stembler Theatre at the College of Coastal Georgia. Stembler Theatre is located within the Campus Center (building 11, as notated with a red star). Lots B, C, and G are available for parking.
