Two weeks ago, we concluded the Spring semester by celebrating the nearly 200 seniors who graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources. We were thrilled to welcome back two-time alumna Dr. Rebecca Stanfield McCown as our guest speaker, and I was honored to congratulate each graduate as they crossed the stage.

In addition to celebrating our undergraduate students, we also recognized the 26 Master’s and Doctoral students in the Rubenstein School who successfully defended their theses and dissertations over the past academic year. I am so proud of these remarkable students who are taking on our most complex environmental and social issues and I am grateful to have them join our community of more than 6000 alumni.

Leading up to Commencement weekend, we had a busy and successful semester. I spent the past months preparing the School for growth and change. Three esteemed colleagues announced their retirements and became Emeriti faculty – Adrian Ivakhiv, Clare Ginger, and Ellen Marsden. Each has contributed an immeasurable amount to the Rubenstein School over their combined 75 years here. With these retirements and a growing undergraduate student body, we prioritized hiring and conducted five faculty searches over the semester. Although we are still finalizing a couple of searches, we are excited to welcome a fantastic group of new professors to the Rubenstein School, who will join us in the next academic year: Dr. Helina Jolly, Dr. Eglée Zent, and Dr. Thaïs Bernos.

We are also preparing for the arrival of our incoming Dean, Dr. Peter Newman, who will officially join the Rubenstein School on July 1. It has been an immense honor to serve as Interim Dean over the past two years and I am excited to work alongside Peter as I take on the role of Director of the Wildlife and Fisheries Biology program, beginning this summer. Despite having been in this role for two years, I am still amazed by the dedication of our faculty and staff, and the talents of our students.

The staff, faculty, and students in the Rubenstein School have accomplished so much over the past five months – from completing fantastic theses projects, to conducting research and studies abroad, to engaging in challenging conversations and movements for global change. I am grateful for the respectful and resilient community we’ve built together. Read more about our recent graduates, student research, and faculty experts on the Rubenstein School website.

In my closing remarks at our graduation celebration in May, I shared that I often turn to poetry (particularly bad poetry) to grapple with challenges and change. Here is one such poem, which I wrote for the graduating class of 2024:

Hoot

By Allan Strong

Afternoon lab in Centennial Woods
Disconnect from material goods
Meditating to stay present
As snow turns hemlocks luminescent
I notice golden leaves on soil
Divert my thoughts from law of Boyle
Taking in nature’s mystique
While balanced on log to cross the creek
How will this look in twenty years?
Will symbiosis disappear?
Or will we find a resilient trail
That allows our forests to prevail
Can we help nature to adapt?
With new skills that have been untapped
The answer lies in the owl’s call
Who cooks for you – who cooks for you all

In the spirit of interdisciplinarity, I encourage you too to turn to the creative arts when you’re in need comfort or clarity. I hope you have a wonderful summer.

Sincerely,

Allan Strong, Interim Dean and Professor

 

The complete “Dean’s List”: Summer 2022 – Summer 2024

Birds seen by Allan Strong from the Dean’s Office (220K) in the George D. Aiken Center

  • Peregrine Falcon
  • Sharp-shinned Hawk
  • House Finch
  • Canada Goose
  • Bald Eagle
  • Double-crested Cormorant
  • Chipping Sparrow
  • Yellow Warbler
  • Eastern Phoebe
  • Downy Woodpecker
  • Rock Pigeon
  • American Robin
  • European Starling
  • Ring-billed Gull
  • American Crow
  • Northern Cardinal
  • White-throated Sparrow
  • Dark-eyed Junco
  • Common Raven
  • Black-capped Chickadee
  • Turkey Vulture
  • Black Vulture
  • Blue Jay
  • Chimney Swift
  • Osprey
  • American Goldfinch
  • Cedar Waxwing