www.esf.edu/alumni SUMMER 2017 Alumni News 7 visiting instructors. Chris Somerlot, P.E. ’99/’02 taught Numerical and Computing Methods and GIS-Based Modeling, John Dunkle, P.E., taught Stormwater Management, Garth Werner, P.Eng., taught Mechanics of Materials, Pilar Lyons ’08 taught Humanitarian Engineering, Greg Mosure, P.E., taught Energy Systems Engineering, and Matt Marko, P.E. (Director of Region 7 for NYS DEC and Chair of the ESF Board of Trustees) taught Ecological Engineering and cotaught with me our Introduction to ERE course. The Introduction to ERE course for freshman included 6 site visits to local engineering projects across Onondaga County and our annual field trip to the ESF Adirondack property, with a hike up Goodnow Mountain. Scholarship awards provide critical support for our students, allowing them to focus on their studies and building their engineering careers. A sampling of awards include: the Raymond M. ’52 and Rita J. Smith Scholarship Fund was awarded to Dana Carris to help him study in Greece; the O’Brien and Gere Fellowship Fund and the Raymond M. ’52 and Rita J. Smith Scholarship Fund was awarded to Martha Caster; the Ross S. Whaley Endowment was awarded to Connor Dormer; the Harrison H. Payne Fund was awarded to Megan Herbst; the 1939 Class Fund was awarded to Jessica Kobus; the Bob Sand ’50 Fund was awarded to Tyler Kuhn; and the George W. Lee ’47 Endowment Fund was awarded to Billie Li. Please help support these students with a donation to ERE. We are proud to report that ERE is thriving in many areas, with excellent students, faculty, staff, and friends. Much of our success stems from the efforts of our ERE Advisory Council, who help oversee curricular changes, student resume development, student professional networking, and the mentoring of students during their engineering training. To learn more about our activities contact me (te@esf.edu), the ERE Advisory Council chair Meghan Platt (meghan.platt@gmail.com), or connect with ERE students, alumni, faculty and staff through our LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, WordPress, and other channels, all reachable from the ERE homepage www.esf.edu/ere. 1
Environmental Science
Russell Briggs :: rdbriggs@esf.edu Director of the Division of Environmental Science and Professor The past academic year has been challenging as well as exciting for ESF in general and for the Division of Environmental Science in particular. One of the fundamental tasks for any academic program is to ensure availability of required courses in proper sequence so that graduation is not delayed. This task poses particular challenges for an interdepartmental program that includes a new B.S. in Environmental Health. Our success is due to coordination with the Department Chairs who oversee participating faculty in the Division of Environmental Science. This model places a great deal of reliance on collegiality and has served us well. We are concluding another (our third in the past 3 years!) search for a new faculty member who will teach Toxic Health Hazards and will be housed in the EFB Department. Administratively, we are ecstatic to have the opportunity to work with our new Provost, Dr. Nosa Egiebor, as we continue to develop and advance the in-
terdepartmental mission of the Division of Environmental Science within ESF. As I enjoy the opportunity to participate in program reviews at other institutions, it is apparent to me that many seem to be searching for a model to effectively deliver interdepartmental education; we are fortunate at ESF to have such a model in the Division of Environmental Science that is adequately supported by the College, and I would argue is becoming a ‘show piece.’ Enrollment in the Division, which oversees the B.S. degree in Environmental Health, and the B.S., M.P.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Environmental Science, continues to be strong. We began the Fall 2016 semester with 189 undergraduate and 75 graduate students. Following graduation in December, enrollment for the spring 2017 semester consisted of 173 undergraduate and 66 graduate students. At the time of this writing, fall semester deposits for the undergraduate programs have been received from 3 students in Environmental Health and 47 students in Environmental Science, which puts us on a trajectory similar to the previous year. Final numbers will not be available until registration concludes at the end of August. Graduation 2017 was especially rewarding with our first cohort of Environmental Health (EH) seniors walking across the stage and receiving congratulations from President Wheeler and Dr. Lee Newman, curriculum coordinator of the Environmental Health program. The top ranked student in the Division of Environmental Science, Jordan C’DealvaLenik ’17, was a member of our first EH cohort. Our final social event for the academic year, the reception organized by Cariann Linehan, office manager, and Ann Moore, Assistant Program Administrator, preceded the convocation ceremony. Their organizational skills were especially appreciated this year as I was unable to attend the festivities due to my sabbatical leave in Washington DC with the US Forest Service. The Division continues to evolve to meet current and emerging education and training needs for environmental science and environmental health professionals. Ann Moore is developing an increasingly wide professional network that enhances the education of our students through a combination of internships and applied research. As our students join the ranks of the alumni, that network expands and those newlyminted professionals begin their contribution as professional mentors to the students behind them. This effort feeds directly into assessment as we continue to interview our graduates to ascertain their suggestions for further improvement of our programs in both Environmental Science and in Environmental Health. Dr. Newman has used the same level of energy and expertise in her professional network to engage the Environmental Health students in off-campus internships. We continue to respond to information provided by our graduates, now alumni, periodically evaluating our curricula and making appropriate adjustments to strengthen our programs. Towards that end, we continue to strengthen the connection between the Freshman/Transfer Seminar, the Technical Writing course, and the Senior Synthesis Capstone, each building successively on the previous. Ann Moore has successfully increased student opportunities for internships, drawing on a strong professional network in both the public and private sectors. Ann has been interacting with the DEC Finger Lakes Water Hub to organize multidisci-
2018 DUES CAMPAIGN
DON’T FORGET TO PAY YOUR DUES!
T
he ESF Alumni Association is in the midst of our 20172018 Dues Campaign. Your annual dues payment or Life Membership is what allows the Association to keep you connected to the College and fellow alumni. From the publication of the Alumni News and the various sources of electronic media, to the many events and activities that we host for our alumni and students (our future alumni), the Association continues to serve as your link to the College’s past, present and future. Without your continued support, we would not be able to do all that we do, so “Thank You.”
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It’s quick, easy and secure. Just visit www.esf.edu/forms/ alumni/dues.asp, submit the completed form and then follow the PayPal link to pay by PayPal, credit card or debit card. It’s that easy!
There are benefits to paying your dues! Not only are
you helping to support your Alumni Association, but you are also eligible for the following exclusive benefits: • 10% discount for dues payers in the ESF College Bookstore on any orders throughout the fiscal year (7/1/17–6/30/18).* • 15% discount for Life Members in the ESF College Bookstore on any orders for life.* • Exclusive local & national coupons and discounts throughout your birthday month. • Priority for SU basketball tickets (in conjunction with the annual alumni event only). • Annual thank you gift. • Annual special offer for Bookstore merchandise. • Annual “Members-Only” Maple Syrup Sale. • Special discounted pricing for ESF Alumni Events. • The opportunity to rent the Masten House and Huntington Lodge at a reduced rate. • Alumni-Hosted receptions in your region. * Discount may not be used on special dues offer memorabilia or maple syrup purchases.
THANK YOU! plinary teams of students focusing their senior synthesis projects on improved understanding and management of water quality in the Owasco Lake watershed. Providing practical experience and the opportunity for students to network professionally by applying their skills to solving real problems is one of the single most important facets of all of our programs. The B.S. program in Environmental Health (EH) welcomes our second incoming class this fall. The administrative team (Dr. Lee Newman, EH Curriculum Coordinator, and Ann Moore) worked diligently to assemble all of the course proposals to ensure compliance with accreditation. Lee has worked tirelessly to submit our application for accreditation to National Environmental Health Science & Protection Accreditation Council (EHAC). The Graduate Program in Environmental Science continues to evolve as we evaluate our Areas of Study and consider how we might more effectively coordinate and manage them. The allocation of our limited number of Graduate Assistantships continues to be our greatest challenge. Philippe Vidon returns from sabbatical leave as leader for the Water and Wetland Resources Area of Study. We are grateful to Dr. John Stella, who served in that role while Dr. Vidon was on leave. The biggest news in GPES is that we are sunsetting the Biological and Environ-
mental Economics (BEE) Area of Study. Student and faculty interest/participation remain too low to justify the work required to maintain and administer this area. In closing, we extend an invitation to our alumni to become involved with our current students. There is no better advertisement for their potential futures than direct contact with professionals such as yourself who have benefitted from your education at ESF. If you are interested in sharing details of your professional responsibilities with students (recall your days in ENS132), please let me know. We are making a concerted effort to connect our students with alumni who can provide a glimpse into their potential futures and a venue to obtain some practical experience. This type of insight often provides motivation that helps students navigate the challenges of their academic program. As you can see, the Division continues to evolve, responding to societal needs and scientific developments in the realms of Environmental Science and Environmental Health. Continuing evolution is the sign of a healthy and vigorous program. If you have the opportunity to visit the campus, please stop by 202 Baker Hall. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share them with me. I can be reached by e-mail at rdbriggs@esf.edu. 1 Please see DEPARTMENT UPDATES, Page 8