Welcome to October, Warner College! 

As the temperatures drop and the leaves change their color and fall, October brings a fresh wave of excitement and opportunity at Warner College! This month is always a cornerstone of our fall semester, and I’m thrilled to have a chance to connect with you at the many engaging events lined up this month. 

Join us on Wednesday for the much-anticipated CSU University Fall Address and Picnic, a beloved tradition that celebrates our community spirit. President Parsons will share inspiring remarks, and you’ll be treated to fantastic performances by the CSU Marching Band, Spirit Squads, and Concert Choir. Afterward, don't miss the chance to mingle during the free picnic on the Oval – a perfect opportunity to strengthen connections with each other and our partners across campus. 

October also means that Homecoming and Family Weekend is coming right up, a time for celebration and camaraderie! Join us at the Festival on the Oval on Homecoming Weekend Friday, and later that evening, let’s gather at the CSU bonfire, proudly built by our very own Society of American Foresters Alpha Student Chapter! We’d love to see you there as we celebrate our community. 

A highlight of Homecoming is our Distinguished Alumni Awards, where we honor Bob McDonald as this year’s honoree. Bob has been a steadfast supporter of the College and a valuable member of the Dean's Advisory Council for many years. His recent involvement in professional development for our students speaks volumes about his dedication. Make sure to read more about his remarkable contributions below. 

Amidst this excitement, I would like to acknowledge the considerable effort everyone is putting in to navigating the significant changes and uncertainties we are facing. Our weekly newsletters are here to keep you updated on essential developments. Remember to check CSU’s Federal Updates page regularly for the latest information. Don't hesitate to contact Dr. Chris Myrick, associate dean for research, and me if you have any questions or challenges related to federal research, or if you have received communications from your federal research partners. We can work with Dr. Cass Moseley, vice president of research, and her staff to identify solutions and answers.  

I am immensely proud of all of you for maintaining such a high level of excellence, even in these uncertain times. Your hard work does not go unnoticed! As we move forward, please continue your fantastic contributions, and don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything to help you succeed. 

Thank you all, and here’s to a vibrant and fulfilling October! 

Warmly, 

A. Alonso Aguirre 

Ed Gallo-Cajiao, assistant professor in the Department of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources, was named the director of SoGES' Global Biodiversity Center. The center encourages knowledge transfer and cross-campus collaboration among faulty working on biodiversity research. Gallo-Cajiao brings international expertise in biodiversity governance and conservation, with a special focus on migratory species.

Bob McDonald (B.S., fisheries science, ’66; M.S., fishery and wildlife biology, ’74) will be recognized at CSU's Distinguished Alumni Awards program on Oct. 16, 2025. Among his many accomplishments, McDonald was instrumental in developing agency regulations to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. He has been a member of the Warner College of Natural Resources Dean’s Advisory Council for 14 years.

Warner College held "Fat Squirrel Week" Oct. 1-7, our own twist on the well-known Katmai National Park and Preserve's "Fat Bear Week." CSU students submitted photos of squirrels around campus and in a three round-elimination Instagram poll, the Warner Community voted Squirrel 709 as the Fattest Squirrel. Fat Squirrel Week even got coverage on 9News Denver!

Tuesday, Nov. 11 | 1 p.m. | MSNR 345 or Virtually on Teams

The Warner Fall All College Meeting will be in-person and virtually on Teams. Please use Chrome or Edge if you are attending virtually as Firefox tends to have compatibility issues. The agenda will be included in a future Warner Wire edition. Light refreshments will be served.