In 1983 the Center was renamed the Mark O. Hatfield Marine Science Center in honor of U.S. Senator Mark Hatfield of Oregon, an early supporter of the Center.
William Wick studied fish and game management at Oregon State College and received both B.S. and M.S. degrees in 1950 and 1952, respectively. First employed by OSU in 1960 as an Extension Service Agent for Tillamook County until 1968. In 1968, Wick assumed the post of Program Leader of the Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program and a year later became coordinator of the regional Pacific Sea Grant Advisory Program. For his efforts in the Marine Advisory Programs, Wick received the U.S. Department of Agriculture Superior Award in 1971. In 1973, Wick became Director of the OSU Sea Grant Program. Wick retired as Sea Grant Director on December 31, 1990.