Where does the time go? It’s seems like yesterday that I started this job and attended my first DEL Orientation Place Based Session on the fly, and now almost 9 months later, I am working on graduating the Class of 2013 and on-boarding the Class of 2015! That’s right, we are about to say good-bye to our second year students who are in the middle of tweaking their MPs and ready to wear the coveted cap and gown. We are also in the process of offering admission to DEL-MEM applicants. All applications have been submitted and we are on the cusp of welcoming a new class to the fold. It’s an exciting time and the energy is palpable! We’ve seen great things from our outgoing class and look forward to what our new class will offer.
Our program continues to offer amazing learning opportunities to our students. DEL recently had three faculty members on the go imparting great knowledge and wonders of the world to a lucky bunch of students. In March, Dr. Deb Gallagher and Dr. Rebecca Vidra lead a group of students studying restoration ecology on the island of Kaua’I, Hawaii, and Dr. Liz Shapiro was in Oaxaca, Mexico leading students in Community Based Environmental Management. There were some great pictures and stories flowing from both locations and we enjoyed watching the students chronicle the educational opportunities that came their way. From planting trees in the rain forests of Kaua’I to visiting eco-tourism sites and coffee fields of central Mexico, DEL students are enjoying endless opportunities to learn from our outstanding faculty members.
So what does the future hold? Time will tell, but we do know we look forward to Fall Orientation, the DC Leadership Module, as well as spring field courses in California and Chile. If history is an indicator of what is to come, then you can count on bigger and better surprises coming your way. Stay tuned, DEL is always on the move!
Written by Anthony Garza, DEL Distance Learning Coordinator