Mark Van Putten, a friend of SNRE with more than 30 years of experience in environmental policymaking and nonprofit organizational leadership at the international, national, regional, and local levels, delivered the Spring 2013 Commencement Address to graduating students Saturday, May 4.
Of the 160 projects announced since November 2012, 16 have at least one SNRE faculty member (19 total faculty). In addition to the Q-fever project, here are titles, project summaries and faculty role (with field of study) in the other 15 projects.
Why Michigan?
The University of Michigan and the School of Natural Resources and Environment has a long history of ichthyology and fisheries experts. The current researchers here have great reputations that continue this legacy. So the chance to work with them was an incredible opportunity. Combined with the proximity to the Great Lakes which hold 20% of the world's freshwater, it was a "natural" fit for me to work on these systems.
Why Michigan?
SNRE was an easy choice. The school has a very close-knit community and maintains strong relationships with other departments on campus. I was eager to meet students and faculty who shared my specific interests related to the environment, but I was also excited broaden my horizons. The range of people and projects at SNRE and UM in general make for a very dynamic and diverse intellectual community.
Why Michigan?
The interdisciplinary nature of SNRE in conjunction with the prestige of Michigan and its alumni are the reasons I came to Ann Arbor, while the dedication, commitment and warmth of the community (faculty, staff, and students) are the reasons I feel at home.
Why Michigan?
I chose to come to SNRE because of the interdisciplinary program and diversity found within the student body. The option to take classes from different schools within UM, the passion and expertise of the SNRE faculty, and the real world applicability from a Master’s Project were all also major benefits that drew me to the program.