From the Dean's Perspective

Dean Winstorfer in China — Dean Paul Winistorfer (L) traveled to China in June with faculty members from the master of natural resources program in the National Capital Region to develop further linkages for delivery of the program’s China Sustainability Initiative in that country. This tea plantation in Dali was among the stops the group made during its trip to Yunnan province in Southwest China.

We finished the academic year with one of the largest graduating classes in recent times, and we head into the fall semester with more students enrolled than in spring. Clearly, students are passionate about our disciplines and they aspire to make a difference in this world. Our new meteorology major will have 80 students enrolled in the fall.

We closed out our fiscal year with a record level of discovery activity — a testament to the quality, innovation, and hard work of our faculty. We continue to garner awards and recognition for our engagement work, which is so important in Virginia and beyond, leveraging the very core of our expertise to the communities and individuals we serve. The land-grant mission is alive and well in our college and at Virginia Tech as we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Morrill Act, which created our nation’s great land-grant institutions.

“Vision 2050,” a recently released report from the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, outlines opportunities and actions for a future world of 9 billion people by mid-century — living well, yet within the resources of the planet. The students we educate, the discoveries we make, and the engagement we bring to the table are all critically important pieces of a sustainable future.

Sustainable, natural, and renewable materials are a key part of that future; hence, we have renamed our wood science and forest products department the Department of Sustainable Biomaterials. This is yet another strategic action by the college to set the stage for the future of our work and future career opportunities for our students. And we have more changes and initiatives planned for the new academic year. Stay tuned as we continue to move the college forward. Things remain pretty exciting around here!

We are still about trees, forests, fish, wildlife, water, wood products, and physical and cultural environments, all necessary for a sustainable future. But more importantly, we are about people — people educating people, people creating solutions, people working together to build a sustainable future, across Virginia and around the world. It’s all how you see it.

Thank you for your continued interest in our students and in what we do. We are grateful for your support.

Warm regards on behalf of our faculty, staff, and students,

Paul