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2020 SPRING CELEBRATION A VIRTUAL CELEBRATION WITH THE UF/IFAS SCHOOL OF FOREST RESOURCES & CONSERVATION

GREETINGS FROM DR. RED BAKER

Welcome to the School’s first virtual Spring Celebration! Many of you have probably attended previous Spring Celebrations, and were, like me, looking forward to a chance to shake hands with old friends, hug the award winners, and generally socialize with your peers and comrades. We obviously can’t do that this year, except in this virtual format, but hopefully this necessary change doesn’t unnecessarily diminish the pride we all have in this year’s accomplishments. While these times are uncertain, and we can’t do things the way we used to, we shouldn’t let this get in the way of recognizing how exceptional our students, faculty, staff, and supporters are.

To that end, please take a few moments to look through the long list of award winners. These people are examples of what makes the School a special place, and represent both the current, and the future leaders in the fields of forestry, fisheries, and geospatial sciences. I want to personally congratulate each and every one of them on their accomplishments, and thank them for all that they do.

I also want to take a moment to think about those of us who are struggling right now. Many of you, your family, and your friends are being dramatically affected by both the medical and economic implications of this disease. You have my sympathy, and my support, and if there is anything that we can do to minimize the loss, or accelerate the recovery, rest assured that we will do it.

Which brings me to my final comment – please make plans now to attend next year’s Spring Celebration (April 9th and 10th, 2021). This last month has been hard on everyone, and we’ll no doubt have more months of uncertainty and turmoil yet to come, but I look forward to next year delivering my remarks in person, in front of all of you, and being able to shake your hand when I’m done.