Message from the dean
We are conducting exciting interviews this week and next to fill a new assistant professor position awarded the school as part of President Coleman's Interdisciplinary Junior Faculty Initiative. This new colleague will bring a research agenda focused on development and sustainability in Africa. He or she will complement the work of a growing number of faculty, master's students and those involved with outreach and education university-wide.
Speaking of hires, the search for a new dean of SNRE is under way. I encourage you to visit the search committee's website for updates, and to take a survey regarding your thoughts on how the new leader can sustain the school's momentum.
Meanwhile, south of the border at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Cancun, Mexico, attendees are discussing the latest developments in climate change. Joining them over the 12-day event—the Conference of the Parties, or COP16—were several SNRE professors and six SNRE students, a remarkable number but not surprising, given our students' comprehension of issues and our faculty's research interests. It's not too late to catch up on their blogging activities.
Lastly, the annual Solstice Party is tomorrow. I hope you have fond memories of this seasonal get-together, which features good food, student-driven events and fundraisers, and music by our very own Ecotones. The celebration reminds us not only of our shared mission as colleagues but of the goodwill required to sustain each of us throughout the year.
Rosina M. Bierbaum, Dean and Professor |
