Dear CAHNRS,
Thank you for the privilege of serving as your Cashup Davis Family Endowed Dean. My time in CAHNRS, WSU, and Washington is ending quickly. Friday (the 13th) is my last day in the office, though I am not superstitious. I truly appreciate the time I have spent here and hope that it has positively impacted Washington and the college. It’s the people and laughter that I will remember, not the challenges. The people and partners of CAHNRS are second to none. When they work together, anything is possible, and the bad times aren’t so bad.
Things didn’t go as planned, but that’s not unusual. I did not expect to leave WSU after only three years. Last fall, I assumed I would be leaving higher education when I departed WSU. Changes in early 2025 coincided with a tremendous opportunity to make a difference, causing me to re-think my decision.
Along my WSU journey, I have learned many things. I have watched CAHNRS improve how the story is told, including an impressive Tour of Impacts and the new Quarterly Reach Report. I have had the honor of congratulating new Regents Professors, promoting faculty and staff, and seeing awardees be recognized at the college and system level, as well as in their professional societies. I have met and heard from some of our amazing alumni and supporters while learning about their experiences as Cougs. I have stood in awe of the power of our people and partners in helping us get things done, from facilities improvements to measurable positive change for the people of Washington, recognizing that there is a force of committed, talented individuals behind every action along the way. I have been humbled by the humility and humanity of all those noted above.
Washington is well positioned for growth in food production; it is capable of bridging the increasing gap created by water, infrastructure, climate, and density challenges in other states and regions. The current breadth of CAHNRS programs and people makes the college especially well suited to support the state’s growth because of the integration with youth, families, and communities. CAHNRS truly punches above its weight.
I wish nothing but personal and professional success for each member of the extended CAHNRS family. I don’t spend much time looking in the rearview mirror, but when I do, it will be the CAHNRS people and amazing places of Washington that I see. I have high hopes for stronger collaboration across the college and the broader WSU system. In a recent commencement speech, Kermit the Frog encouraged people to “leap together.” And it is together that CAHNRS will build a more Resilient Washington.