Dear Warner College Community, 

Welcome back from fall break. I hope it offered a chance to rest and recharge as we enter the final stretch of the semester. This time of the year is always demanding, balancing teaching, advising, classes, research, and the many responsibilities that accompany the close of the calendar year. It also reminds me of the steady commitment, resilience, and care that each member of our Warner College community brings to their work. 

Amid the fast pace of December, I also hope you find small moments to appreciate the season and to pause when you can. Winter break will be here soon, and I encourage everyone to use that time to rest, reconnect with friends and family, and return in January with renewed focus and energy. 

Looking ahead, the spring semester offers meaningful opportunities for connection and celebration. In March, we will host the Dean’s Distinguished Lecture, with this year highlighting the enduring influence of women leaders in conservation and natural resources. In alignment with International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, this theme reflects our commitment to elevating the voices and accomplishments of those who shape our fields through dedication, innovation, and perseverance. 

Spring will also bring NR Days and our annual College Awards ceremony; valued traditions that showcase the achievements of our faculty, staff, and students. As Warner College continues strengthening its visibility and recognition, I encourage you to think about colleagues who may be strong candidates for awards or other professional honors. If time allows later this month, it may be a good opportunity to explore potential nominations at regional, national, or international levels. 

I also look forward to celebrating with many of you at the upcoming Warner College holiday party. Details are listed below. 

Finally, warm congratulations to all students completing their degrees this semester. We are proud of your accomplishments and know you will carry the values and strengths of Warner College into your communities and careers. 

With appreciation, 

A. Alonso Aguirre, DVM, Ph.D.
Dean, Warner College of Natural Resources 

Ambassadors from The Wildlife Society student organization visited with hundreds of children, ages 5-11, at Shepardson Elementary on Nov. 13. The ambassadors taught the elementary school students about animal adaptations, tracking methods, poop and health, aquatic sampling, and tree coring and aging. 

The School of Global Environmental Sustainability awarded funding to Warner College faculty and students who contributed their knowledge to sustainability scholarship and solutions during the 2024-2025 academic year. Funding has also been awarded for the 2025-2026 academic year. 

The McBackpack program was started 18 years ago by Ann Randall, academic advisor in the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, along with her parents. The program packs bags of food for more than 500 Poudre School District students each week.  

Twenty-five Warner College graduate students presented their work at the 10th annual GradShow on Nov. 19, with six of those students winning awards. Congratulations to all of the Warner College winners and participants. 

Kurt Fausch, professor emeritus in the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, had his newest book, A Reverence for Rivers: Imagining an Ethic for Running Waters, reviewed in the upscale fly-fishing magazine, The Drake. 

Sydney Jackson-Clockston is a proud two-time Warner College alumna, having earned her undergraduate degree in Natural Resource Tourism ('14) and a Master of Tourism Management ('15). She is excited to now serve as the career education coordinator, supporting students as they explore, define, and pursue career pathways aligned with their values, strengths, and goals. Returning to Warner College in this role is a meaningful full-circle moment, allowing her to give back to the community that shaped her academic and professional journey. Sydney looks forward to collaborating with faculty, staff, and students to support meaningful and sustainable career success.

This Giving Tuesday, fill a plate. Feed a Ram. Fuel success.

$11 fills a plate. $160 feeds a Ram for a week. $440 fuels a semester of success. Every gift helps keep hunger off our campus.

Self-paced, online training courses and open houses have been scheduled for all CSU employees in December for the new Workday human resources system being implemented in early January.

The Administrative Professional Council Executive Committee invites you to attend their upcoming monthly meeting where they will discuss the new AP Framework to be rolled out over the next few months. This meeting will be held Monday, Dec. 8 from 9-11 a.m. 

Friday, Dec. 5 is the last day to donate winter essentials such as coats, gloves, and scarves to the Winter Gear Drive.

More information about both of these announcements can be found in the link above. 

Friday, Dec. 12 | 4-6 p.m. | LSC University Ballroom and Lounge

Celebrate the season with the Warner community at the Warner College holiday party. Desserts will be served and a cash bar will be available. All faculty, staff, and graduate students are welcome to join us. No RSVP required.