Dean Victor Phillips finds CNR indeed a special place and family

As a new member of the CNR family, I want you to know that perhaps while I may look like an old dog, I feel as enthusiastic as a pointer pup. Thanks to the current and extended CNR family for your warm welcome to Stevens Point and Wisconsin.

I have enjoyed getting to know many of you during the autumn and winter of 1998 at various venues— on campus in the halls, offices and labs of the CNR building, at CNR faculty meetings, at a UWSP luncheon honoring retired faculty, at the 1998 Society of American Foresters national meeting in Traverse City, Michigan, where 18 undergraduate students and faculty advisor, John Houghton, were presented the 1998 SAF award as runner-up for the most outstanding student chapter in the nation (and where CNR pointer alumni SAF delegates met socially with the students to celebrate this success), at the 2^nd annual CNR family picnic at Bukolt Park, at the CNR advisory board meetings in early December 1998 where three college vision initiatives were selected for development and implementation, at the Cajun Christmas festivities enjoyed by CNR faculty and staff, at the autumn 1998 UWSP commencement, and at many other community, professional and social events. I look forward to future opportunities to get acquainted personally with other CNR faculty, staff, students, alumni, friends, stakeholders and benefactors.

As we approach the 21^st century, CNR took two significant steps forward this past semester. One major accomplishment was a $2.15 million federal appropriation awarded to CNR for technology-enhanced learning made available through our preparation and communication of critical equipment needs and the responsive, strong support of Rep. David Obey. We are currently engaged in a comprehensive planning process to make the most efficient and best use of these much-needed funds for equipment purchases to help ensure that CNR continues to offer the best possible education available in natural resources and environmental management in the nation. The other major achievement was the development of college vision initiatives by the faculty, six of which were selected for presentation to the CNR advisory board in December 1998. Three initiatives were chosen by Board members for further development and implementation. Task teams were formed to establish a Wisconsin Watersheds Center, a Management Institute for Land Use Decision Making, and a Natural Resources Leadership Center. We look forward with energy and commitment to actively taking the next steps to attain these near term goals as well as other new, exciting efforts via our strategic planning and vision process to build further success and relevance as the premier natural resources college in the 21st century.

As we all continue to grow in our diverse personal lives and professional careers, to those CNR pointers who may be distant from campus in time and/or space, I wish each of you the very best and extend a personal invitation to keep in touch by letter, email, fax, telephone or better yet come by to visit us in person any time. You are always welcome home at CNR here in Stevens Point. I will keep you posted of exciting events and developments that are occurring in the College of Natural Resources.

Best regards,

Victor D. Phillips

Dean, College of Natural Resources