Poline Cohanne
THE MANY FORMS OF HELPING OTHERS
What do the state of the world's oceans and the state of a student's finances have in common? Polin Cohanne, and her commitment to helping others.
When Cohanne took a new job as executive assistant to the director of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy , she signed on to a daunting task. Created for the purpose of compiling a comprehensive review of the country's oceans and coasts, the Commission spent three years amassing their report, knowing the recommendations would have vast and profound consequences.
Solely in terms of the nation's economy, the country's oceans have an enormous impact: U.S ports handle more than $700 billion each year; the cruise industry is valued at $11 billion; the commercial fishing industry is worth $28 billion; and the offshore oil and gas industry's annual production is valued at $25-40 billion. A thorough examination of the health of the oceans was imperative.
“We knew that there were complex and difficult problems that had not been addressed in a very long time,” explains Cohanne. Indeed, it had been thirty-five years since the last report on the state of the oceans. Since then more than 37 million people, 19 million homes, and countless businesses have been added to coastal areas.
Involving all of the ocean communities, or stakeholders, was essential to ensure an accurate picture. “Over 400 experts came to testify on behalf of their particular ‘ocean community,'” says Cohanne. “We heard from scientists, environmentalists, Native American tribal leaders, businesspeople, recreational enthusiasts and many, many more.”
As expected, the report was not encouraging: development from oil and gas operations, marine transportation, and coastal recreation have depleted ocean resources, lost habitat, and polluted waters. Living ocean and coastal resources that had been assumed to be unlimited are not. An estimated 50 to 60 percent of coral reefs may be lost during the next thirty years and 12 billion tons of ballast water is shipped around the world each year, spreading alien and invasive species. The Commission will present their report to the President and Congress later this month.
But Cohanne is not discouraged. "We now have a terrific opportunity to create a managed and interrelated ecosystem for all involved.”
Cohanne herself is involved in another opportunity on a more personal scale. In 1990, she established a Penn State scholarship fund for Liberal Arts students in American Studies. She hopes that she can help a student have the type of Penn State experience that she had.
“Penn State was so tremendous for me,” Cohanne recalls. “I took advantage of so many things. If I can help give student have that kind of opportunity, I'll feel very gratified.”
Cohanne was motivated to create her fund after reading stories of families squeezed by tuition costs and students graduating with thousands of dollars of debt. Although college cost far less when she graduated in 1972, she feels fortunate that her family could afford the tuition. Even in this day and age of specialization, Cohanne firmly believes that a liberal arts education still provides the widest range of career opportunitiesand she's living proof.
After earning a law degree from Villanova and a stint in the marines, Cohanne moved to Los Angeles and got a job in entertainment law at ABC. After fifteen years at a law firm, she'd had her fill of stars, contracts, and the West coast, and spent a year with the Clinton/Gore campaign. She then worked in the second Clinton Administration but had to resign when President Bush was elected. Three months after the Ocean Commission report is presented, her job will end. But Cohanne hopes to garner a place in a future Kerry Administration and has other plans.
“I want to encourage all Penn State Liberal Arts alums to give their support. You don't have to establish a scholarship but start somewhere,” she emphasizes. “Five to ten dollars a month is great for young alums and those who can give more should think about annual giving and endowed funds.”
