Many of us visit an aquarium to engage with wild wonders from the world around us. As we marvel at living beings so vastly different from us, we often realize a single moment of connection can create a lifelong bond. For Susan and Athalie Rohr, a single visit to the South Carolina Aquarium sparked a connection that will enrich our community for generations to come.

Lending a Helping Hand

Susan Rohr retired to Charleston just a few years ago. As she began exploring her new hometown, a friend suggested a visit the Aquarium. Her favorite part of that first visit back in 2018? She loved that guests weren’t left to find their own way — Aquarium staff and volunteers roamed the floor, chatting about native wildlife with excited tourists, answering dozens of questions from students on a field trip and sharing the story of a sea turtle’s journey from rescue to release. It was clear that the Aquarium was not only a welcoming venue which provided an unforgettable experience, but a dynamic entity filled with environmental stewards passionate to share their knowledge.

As her first year in Charleston drew to a close, Susan made a resolution to give back to the community. The Aquarium was the perfect place to do just that, and she began volunteering weekly as an exhibit guide… a role she still holds today! Though she was able to work with many different animals and exhibits, Susan quickly grew fond of interacting with guests at the Touch Tank. As an exhibit guide, she connected with guests of all ages, teaching them about horseshoe crabs’ blue blood or how sea stars eat. She treasured moments of helping a guest change their attitude about an animal — like a spiny sea urchin — from unsure or afraid to excited and amazed.

20/20 Vision

As Susan grew more connections within her new Aquarium community, we faced an uncertain future. In March 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, we were forced to temporarily close our doors and leave more than 200 volunteers “on hold”. After several months of emails and virtual meetings, Susan’s return to the Aquarium revived her commitment to the community. It was clear this was where she wanted to leave a legacy — she wanted to help us grow. The concept of a financial gift to the Aquarium became more of a reality.

As she spoke with Aquarium leadership and exhibit designers, a larger vision began to emerge. We had a goal of renovating our Coast Gallery to include an expanded and accessible touch tank, but we needed funding to make it happen. As her favorite Aquarium experience, Susan felt called to contribute to this vision, and she had just the person in mind to join her in this pursuit.

A profound connection to the natural world was a family affair. As Susan deepened her impact on the East Coast by joining our board of directors, her daughter Athalie was growing in her passion for conservation on the West Coast. Athalie began serving on the auxiliary board for the Seattle Aquarium, and the two continued to bond over their love for nature.

When Susan presented Athalie the idea of a joint gift to fund a new exhibit at the Aquarium, Athalie was immediately on board. They pledged a gift — from coast to coast — to enrich our own Coast gallery for years to come.

Hand in Hand

The unifying theme of connection carried into the new touch tank’s creation. Designed with accessibility in mind, this immersive touch tank experience brings to life a space for all to personally connect with the creatures that live along our coastal landscape. Low walls and viewing windows offer an in-depth look to accommodate varying heights and mobility levels. Guests will be able to engage in interactive learning opportunities with Aquarium educators and follow their lead to gently touch the wildlife in this exhibit.

For Generations To Come

In an era where “generations” are often compared and ways of life are always changing, Susan and Athalie hope they can inspire more families to give back together. Perhaps a single moment of connection between family members or friends at our new exhibit will inspire a lifelong connection to each other and to the natural world.

Our vibrant new touch tank experience opens soon. Follow us on social to learn more about the Aquarium and our upcoming exhibit!