Bft-Country-LarryRowlandFirst Presbyterian Church Hilton Head Island will present the two programs in the “Beaufort County Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” series at 6:30 pm on January 25 and February 1.  The programs are free and open to the public and are preceded by a dinner at 5:30 m. Dinner cost is $10 and reservations are required by 5 pm the Tuesday before.

           On January 25, Dr. Larry Rowland will present “Beaufort County 1514-1861.”  Dr. Rowland is Distinguished Professor Emeritus of History at USCB. He previously held roles with the University as Professor of History and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. He holds a bachelors of arts from Hamilton College (New York), and both a masters and doctorate from the University of South Carolina. Professor Rowland is author of numerous articles and book reviews on South Carolina and Sea Island history. 

           On February 1, Dr. Eric Montie will present “The May River Soundscape – Acoustic Bft-Country-Montie EricEcology of Prey and Predators.”  Dr. Montie is Associate Professor of Biology at USCB. His research interests lie at the intersection of marine biology, neurobiology and ecotoxicology. He earned a B.S. degree in Zoology at the University of Rhode Island and did post-baccalaureate studies in biochemistry at Harvard University. He received an M.S. degree in Environmental Toxicology at Clemson University and worked as a marine mammal field biologist at the National Ocean Service in Charleston, S.C. He earned a Ph.D. in Biological Oceanography at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA., and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Woods Hole, MA.

           First Presbyterian Church is located at 540 William Hilton Parkway, www.fpchhi.org. Call the church office at 843-681-3696 for information.