Colleagues

President Mark Emmert visited the College of Forest Resources on Tuesday afternoon, October 12. We had three hours with the President and used our time to give him a broad overview of the College's transformed academic programs, a snapshot of innovative and timely research areas, and the work of our collaborative and interdisciplinary outreach and research centers that impact many constituencies across the state.

We spent about an hour watching a a power point of visual images put together especially for the meeting -- the slides highlighted the overview described above. A group of about 20 faculty, staff, students, and alumni participated. Some of these presented 2-minute "snapshot" stories about their experiences and research. All were available to answer questions. The President asked a lot of questions about the research and technical transfer described and seemed interested in hearing from the students present.

We spent the next hour touring the Union Bay Natural Area and the Center for Urban Horticulture. The President walked the trail from the E5 parking lot past the UBNA and up to the CUH facility. He talked all the way across the UBNA with restoration faculty (Kern Ewing) and two students. The tour of the new Merrill Hall was highlighted by the building's green roof and other sustainability features, as well as the Miller Library. President Emmert was very impressed by the use of wood in the new building.

We then returned to Anderson Hall for a half hour reception that was open to all of our faculty, staff, and students. We gave the President three gifts: a CFR t-shirt designed by our student Forest Club, a Merrill Hall donor tile inscribed with his name and donated by College faculty and staff, and a book about the College's history written by the first UW alum president, Henry Schmitz.

B. Bruce Bare, Dean