Biologist Bernadette Coutain Plair, class of 1967, has a stellar career as a conservationist. As a researcher for Cincinnati Zoo’s acclaimed CREW program dedicated to the research and conservation of endangered wildlife, Bernadette has been able to conduct the most successful parrot reintroduction program in the world in her native land of Trinidad.
In 1993, Bernadette helped to establish CRESTT – the Centre for the Rescue of Endangered Species of Trinidad & Tobago – in collaboration with the government and conservationists. She continues to lead groups of American educators to Trinidad to promote conservation education.
Just as remarkable is Bernadette’s love of the Mount. She is serving her second term on the Alumni Board where her leadership makes an impact. She represents alumni at College functions and in the community. She opens doors of opportunity for countless Mount science majors through Cooperative Education job experience with the CREW program.
She is grateful for the scholarship that brought her to the Mount in 1963. She fervently remarks that she could not have achieved what she did so far without the opportunity that the Mount gave her to develop spiritually, academically and professionally.
In 2005, the College awarded the honorary doctoral degree to Bernadette for her exceptional contributions to the world of science. Today, we thank Bernadette for her love and loyalty in service to the College with the Alumni Volunteer Leadership Award.