Life Members Sponsor a Polynesian Sea Turtle
It’s not every day you see a turtle who reminds you of a UT football player.
Frank A. King, BA ’78, JD ’95, and Katy Morehead Witt Maninen, BBA ’92, Life Members, were on vacation in French Polynesia when they visited the Le’ Hibiscus Sea Turtle Preserve. The preserve pays local fishermen to turn over sea turtles for rehabilitation instead of eating or selling the endangered creatures.
The crew of King and Maninen’s ship, the Vanira II, sponsored the turtle pictured above. King named him “Tommy” after legendary UT linebacker Tommy Nobis. “I suggested the name because of his strength—he was not easy to hold for the picture —his powerful build, and the speed he exhibited swimming away from the boat,” King says.
King released Tommy back into the water after the turtle’s stay at the preserve.
“Tommy seemed to be stunned at first when I put him back into the lagoon, but took off like a scalded cat,” King says.
From left: Katy Morehead Witt Maninen, Frank A. King, and Captain James Michael Spence. Spence was a commanding officer in UT”s Navy ROTC program from 2009-2010.
Share this article
-
This Texas Ex Is Singing His Cowboy Songs in Music City
-
How a Former Marine Built UT’s National Championship Weightlifting Team
-
Two Award-Winning Professors (and One Hollywood Celebrity) Make Science Cool
-
The Way Back: Hoop Dreams
-
Good Reads Q&A: This Children’s Book Brings Social-Emotional Learning to Life in Technicolor
No comments
Be the first one to leave a comment.