Tomorrow we officially welcome winter and look ahead to brighter days. I know that for many of our students, faculty, and staff, this semester has been challenging. Returning to campus in the midst of the pandemic has brought the joys of meeting and reuniting, along with the stress of trying to stay healthy. I am tremendously proud of our community for exhibiting respect and safety over the past four months.

On top of that, you brought curiosity, creative thinking, and new energy to the School this fall, for which I am very grateful. I particularly enjoyed this slideshow of our 217 first year NR1 students engaging in the many experiential learning opportunities the Rubenstein School has to offer. A big thanks to Walt Poleman and Chris Brooks for sharing this beautiful recap of the semester.

My hope for each and every one of you is to find moments of rest and joy over the Winter Break. During your time away from campus please also consider getting a vaccine booster. This will help our community to remain as protected as possible against Covid-19. We will be here to welcome you back, ready to take on new challenges and opportunities in 2022.

Season's greetings and happy solstice,

Nancy Mathews
Dean and Professor 
Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources

University of Vermont
81 Carrigan Drive
Burlington, Vermont 05401  
www.uvm.edu/rsenr