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Research is built upon the thrill of discovery, the joy of curiosity, and the need to address a problem or an issue. It begins with a well thought out proposal and results in a thorough and defensible body of work. Research is demanding of talent, time, and resources but stands as a major tenant of a leading land-grant university like Virginia Tech and, hence, the college. In this issue, you will read about some remarkable researchers and the exciting work that is taking them around the globe. Read more >

Pause for a moment after you’ve glanced through the newsmagazine and reflect on the breadth and depth of our work around the world and across the commonwealth: from Antarctica to Botswana, from the Galápagos to India, and from rural to urban Virginia. Our faculty are engaged in important work, fascinating work, and inspired – and inspiring – work. Much of what you read in this issue also takes our students beyond the traditional classroom and into the realm of hands-on learning experiences. These are extraordinary opportunities. Read More >

I’ve always wanted to weave in a deeper sentiment in my perspective column. In all my years of professional publishing, I’ve not been able to work in the word “love.” Each and every day, I love what we do in the college, the work of our faculty and staff, and the energy, enthusiasm, and promise of our students. I love and appreciate the engagement and support of so many around us. Read More >

What we do at the university is very purposeful. First and foremost, we are here to educate our students. We provide them with opportunities to learn to work together, grow in awareness of the world around them, gain important skills, be responsible, meet deadlines, and, most importantly, journey toward a career path. Higher education is no different from education at any level in that we are helping prepare our students for what’s next. And we do it very well.

Under the lights in Lane Stadium on a May evening, we celebrated spring commencement with our students and families. It is a big deal to complete a degree program and graduate from one of the leading universities in the United States. Virginia Tech offers a great education, and our students will define our future as they shape their careers moving forward. Congratulations to CNRE’s most recent graduates!

Look at the pictures, look at the faces, and look at the people. Think about the impact of these individuals, all of whom are at different places in their lives. They all journeyed through Virginia Tech and the college. Someone led them, someone mentored them, someone taught them, someone influenced them, someone supported them with a scholarship, and someone cared about them. How very fortunate we are to be in a place that engages such a diverse group of talented people — and to be a part of their lives.

This issue of the CNRE newsmagazine may be the most diverse in content that I can recall. It illuminates how college faculty, staff, students, and alumni are globally engaged: they are looking for great white sharks in the Mediterranean, impacting wood products through extension programs, placing cameras on black bears, and exploring the use of hemp byproducts. Higher education is truly a life-changing experience.

The next five to seven years may be the most dynamic time in the history of the college.

I want to recognize and thank our federal partner agencies and scientists working alongside us in the college, as highlighted in two stories in this issue. These partnerships are forged on trust and impact, and we value this engagement throughout the college.

I am very proud of how our college has adapted to continuing our work during the COVID-19 pandemic. You may never realize the strength or quality of your organization until it has been tested.

The pandemic has made us shift much of our activity to alternate ways of teaching, research, and outreach. We have learned a lot about how to deliver quality programs and classes, and how to continue our research and outreach.

Like forests and natural systems, we are resilient — we made it through the spring with our faculty, staff, and students stepping up into a virtual world of learning and engagement.

The college’s curricula and disciplines form our foundation, and faculty use their expertise to develop and assemble courses into a curriculum and degree programs. But it all starts with recruiting students into our programs, and that landscape has changed significantly over time.