Colleagues,

I write to announce the appointment of Dr. John Wott as Acting Director, CUH effective June 16, 2004 and lasting until September 15, 2004 unless a new director is onboard prior to September 15th. John will also continue as Director, WPA for the same time period.

On behalf of the College, I wish to express my thanks for the outstanding service Professor Tom Hinckley rendered as CUH director for four years. His leadership during the most trying of times is greatly appreciated.

I am confident that Tom's many friends and colleagues wish him well and greatly appreciate the extraordinary service he provided to the University and the community. We would all be poorer if he had not provided four years of outstanding leadership and management of the Center.

Tom will resume his full time professorial duties in the College. He has been instrumental in the design and execution of our new four-course core sequence in the Environmental Science and Resource Management program. His dedication and leadership in the transformation of the College is greatly appreciated. I look forward to having Tom play an even larger role as we continue to transform our College's research profile to better serve our community, state, and region.

Please welcome Professor John Wott to his new assignment. I look forward to working with him over the summer as we continue the transition of leadership. As most of you know, John has served as Director of the Arboretum for many years and possesses the knowledge and skill necessary to provide managerial oversight of both CUH and the WPA. He is also experienced in working with the many gardening, horticultural, civic and governmental groups that we interact with in the CUH and the WPA.

Thank you and best wishes.

B. Bruce Bare, Dean