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SPRING/ SUMMER CommonCommon2005

A Newsletter for Alumni & Friends of the gaylord nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, UW–Madison

Nelson Institute Grad Honored as ‘Distinguished Alum’

Florence Chenoweth, who six years, she worked on a earned a doctorate from the UW–Madison agricultural Nelson Institute’s Land policy project in , Resources Program in 1986, followed by a stint as an received a UW–Madison advisor to the president of Distinguished Alumni Award Zambia, who was seeking in May. ways to liberalize agricul- Chenoweth is the executive tural markets. director of the liaison office of In 1995, Chenoweth the Food and joined the FAO as its repre- Agriculture Organization (FAO), sentative in Gambia in the world’s leading agency in the West Africa. She spear- fight against hunger. She was headed efforts to revitalize one of six 2005 award recipients assistance programs there, chosen for having “demonstrat- and conducted a review of ed a commitment to improving the country’s agricultural the lives of families around the and natural resources that globe,” according to the has since helped guide Wisconsin Alumni Association. Gambia’s development. Chenoweth was born in She then opened the in 1945. At the age of FAO’s first office in South 22, she became the first woman Africa following the end of Florence Chenoweth at a reception for the Distinguished Alumni to enroll in the College of Awards. (Photo by Brent Nicastro) apartheid. In 2000, she Agriculture at the University of coordinated relief efforts Liberia in . She then following floods that dis- came to UW–Madison and earned a master’s degree in agri- rupted the lives of 2.5 million people. cultural economics in 1970. The following year, Chenoweth was named FAO liaison After returning to Liberia, Chenoweth worked in gov- with the United Nations in New York, serving as the link ernment agricultural institutions and made history once between the relief agency and the U.N. General Assembly. again by becoming the African country’s first female minister Chenoweth considers it her mission to help relieve the of agriculture in 1977. She took action to increase the pro- suffering caused by hunger. duction of rice, Liberia’s staple crop, through the introduc- “It is immoral that 842 million people go to bed hungry tion of higher-yield varieties and acreage expansion pro- in a world that produces enough food to feed every single grams. person on Earth. And 170 million of those hungry people But a coup d’etat in 1980, which took the life of the are children,” she says. president and other government officials, forced Chenoweth For more information on Chenoweth’s award, and to to flee with little more than her children. They arrived in view a video biography prepared for the award ceremony, on foot. visit the Wisconsin Alumni Association Web site, Chenoweth returned to Madison to pursue a Ph.D. in www.uwalumni.com/daa/. land resources, which she completed in 1986. For the next New Director a Master at Merging Worlds

By Paroma Basu, University influence as a dynamic network of Communications ideas and expertise. “I want to integrate and syn- For most of her working life, Frances ergize interactions between differ- Westley has thrived on blurring ent people,” she says. “I want to boundaries, invariably seeing gray work like any good broker, con- where others notice only black or necting resources to possibilities.” white. Her gift for moving seamlessly A Start in the Arts between professional worlds — and The winding path of possibilities stitching together talent from dis- that led Westley here from parate fields — will be critical as Montreal also is a lesson in how Westley settles in as the new director one person can mold a career, of the Nelson Institute. seizing unexpected opportunities “The reason she is a terrific choice and amassing expertise, while is because of her interdisciplinarity,” dodging professional categories says long-time collaborator Steven all along. Carpenter, a UW–Madison ecologist Westley started out as a fine who has co-authored several papers arts student at Vermont’s with Westley. Middlebury College. But return- In this regard, Westley is on fertile ing in the early 1970s to home- Frances Westley ground at the Nelson Institute, which town Montreal, she sensed that has earned acclaim for crafting multi- art was not her only calling. After into more practical application.” disciplinary solutions to environmental briefly teaching drama and even con- Her restlessness most likely dilemmas. sidering medical school, Westley final- prompted Westley in 1982 to apply for “It’s a fascinating job,” says ly decided to follow in her sociologist and win a government fellowship that Westley of her new position. “It’s a parents’ footsteps, enrolling at helped social science professionals re- perfect fit between the things I care Montreal’s McGill University to study orient into the management field. about, the skills I have and an oppor- sociology. Soon, Westley was working at McGill’s tunity that arose at the right moment.” After completing a master’s thesis management school. On the job since January, the new on Charlie Chaplin films, Westley Within two months, Westley director aims to boost the institute’s went on to write a doctoral disserta- became an assistant professor. But tion about new religious movements. adjusting to the career shift proved Later, she took a job teaching pop cul- extremely challenging. In Common ture theory at the University of “I wasn’t trained in the whole jar- In Common is published twice a year Western Ontario, in a small town gon of management; I didn’t even by the Gaylord Nelson Institute for called London. know what a bottom line was,” says Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. The story might have ended there, Westley of her steep learning curve. Articles, story ideas, photos and let- but Westley’s newfound professional “Getting up to speed was the equiva- ters to the editor are always welcome. stability was destabilizing her personal lent of doing another Ph.D.” life. Her husband was a tenured reli- She also gave birth to a third Editor: Steve Pomplun Institute for Environmental Studies gion professor in Montreal. The cou- daughter during this challenging time. 15 Science Hall, 550 N. Park St. ple lived apart for four years, having But six years in, Westley began asking Madison, WI 53706–1491 two daughters amidst the distance. herself some hard questions. (608) 263–3063; Hoping to unite the family, “Even as I learned that many busi- [email protected] Westley started looking for work in nesses use brilliant methodologies, I www.ies.wisc.edu Montreal. Opportunities were scarce, was chilled by what I was encountering however, even as she began to feel at the big corporations I was research- Funding for the publication of In Common ambivalent about her field. “I was feel- ing,” she says. “I asked myself, ’Do I is provided through the generosity of our ing restless with sociology,” she recalls. really want to spend my life working in alumni and friends. “I felt the need to move from theory this environment?’”

2 in common Points of Commonality indispensable, as she traveled around such abilities — what she calls her Almost in response to her thoughts, the world helping scientists collaborate “skills of the margins” — to negotiate Westley was invited in 1990 to speak at effectively with diverse interest groups, her new working environment. She’s a conference that explored how man- ranging from international logging been talking to faculty and staff about agement professionals could apply companies to indigenous villagers. teaching and outreach programs at the their knowledge to pressing global “Frances opened our eyes to how Nelson Institute to determine exactly problems such as hunger and disease. people take in conservation informa- what institute members want for the “This was exactly what I was look- tion and how to convey hard-core sci- future. ing for; it was a watershed moment,” ence to the people who will be most Over the longer term, Westley she recalls. impacted by it,” says Philip Miller, hopes to lure new young faculty mem- Always passionate about nature, CBSG’s senior program officer. “She bers as one step in an effort to bolster Westley decided to use her manage- brought the human element into the the institute’s resources. ment expertise to help problems in science of conservation biology.” After a lifetime in bustling, cosmo- conservation and the environment. Carpenter, who met Westley at the politan Montreal, Madison is certainly Still at McGill, Westley became Resilience Alliance, agrees. a new world. But, says Westley, “when involved with several organizations, “She would be the key communica- an opportunity comes up, you take it including the ecology group Resilience tor who can translate ideas among sev- even if you don’t know where it’ll lead. Alliance, as well as the Captive eral technical jargons and help people When so many factors align, it’s almost Breeding Specialist Group (CBSG), see points of commonality or points of like a call.” which works to save endangered difference,” he says. species. Her services quickly became Westley will most likely depend on

Q & A: Frances Westley What are your priorities during your find other colleagues there who are of them are doing what I would con- first year? the best in the world. And if you are a sider to be professional degrees. I’d I’d like to get a dialogue going prospective student you will want to like to get our alumni much more about what we as an institute are try- come here in order to get a unique involved with connecting them into ing to do, what it means to realize our interdisciplinary education, unlike the corporate world or the govern- mission of leadership in interdiscipli- that available anywhere else, which ment world or the NGO world, nary teaching, research and outreach, will equip you to be a conservation preparing them for what that world how well we’re doing and what we catalyst or a desirable colleague in any will be like and helping them find could do better. So if I can get to the interdisciplinary research project, in placements there. I think we have a end of this first year and feel that addition to being a well-trained scien- lot to learn from our alumni, so I we’re much more on the same page tist. would like them to think about about what it means to be really excel- And I would like other centers of ‘inreach’ as well as us thinking about lent in this, and that we have some excellence that are concerned with outreach. exciting initiatives that we can use to other elements of sustainability or I would love to get a very active raise serious money, then I’ll feel systems or environmental studies to alumni group going, and by active I pretty satisfied. see us as having a particular niche, don’t just mean reunions. I mean and to be interested in collaborating finding ways to include them in the What’s your longer-term vision for the with us because we have a compe- work of the institute to the extent that institute? tence that complements theirs. they’re interested. So any interested I’d like us to be seen as a leader at alumni just need to get in touch, the national and international level, so Can alumni become more involved with because I’d love to have them on that when people hear the term the Nelson Institute? board. ‘Nelson Institute,’ they think that if I’d love to get them more you want to do really excellent inter- involved. I think they’re a huge Westley can be reached by phone at disciplinary research and teaching, resource that we aren’t tapping nearly (608) 265–5296, or via email at that’s the place you’d like to be, the way we could. [email protected]. because you know that, as a For example, we have a fascinat- researcher or teacher, you’re going to ing and excellent student body. Many

Spring/summer 2005 3 Field Trip to Baja, Mexico, Yields Enduring Lessons

By Tom Sinclair Mathews, Madison-based environmental consultant Most university students pull at least a Regina Hirsch, and few all-nighters before they graduate. retired zoology/environ- But rarely do they pull all-nighters mental studies professor quite like this. Tim Moermond in the For the better part of a week, nine fall for a week of first-hand UW–Madison students took turns observation and participa- patrolling a miles-long stretch of beach tion in a sea turtle conser- on the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja vation project near Pueblo Peninsula from dusk until dawn. La Playa, a small fishing They watched in the darkness for a village in Baja California wonder of nature that few people ever Sur, Mexico. Students and staff biologists dig artificial nests to safely incubate turtle eggs. see in person — the ancient ritual of a The turtle-rescue female sea turtle emerging from the effort, launched several emotional about it. I know I did.” ocean to scoop out a simple nest in the years earlier by an energetic local elder Economic and social trends in the sand, lay her precious eggs, and drag who later perished in an ATV accident, region were another important focus herself back to the water. itself had been rescued by other locals. of the trip. Change is afoot in Pueblo Whenever this happened, the stu- The project survived the tragedy and, La Playa as hotels, condominiums, and dents’ job was simple: stand guard perhaps in tribute to its founder, blos- marinas catering to foreign tourists while the female completed her task, somed. It is now faithfully carried on creep ever closer from the resort city then retrieve the Ping-Pong ball–sized by a small paid staff and a loyal corps of San Jose del Cabo, just down the eggs — more than 100 from the aver- of volunteers. Its grassroots character road. The sea turtles could be in jeop- age nest — and take them to a nursery. intrigued Mathews and Hirsch, an ardy, and they are not alone. “We were protecting the eggs from honorary fellow with the Nelson “We interviewed two local people people digging them up, from dogs, Institute. who were very supportive of the turtle coyotes, crabs,” says Kristina “We thought this would be an project and really concerned about the Cawthon, who is earning a master’s excellent opportunity to look at a com- development in the area,” said degree in conservation biology and munity-based project,” explained Vanessa Lamb, who also is studying sustainable development. “If nests Mathews, who says it was “virtually conservation biology and sustainable were right on the beach, then people unknown” to the larger conservation development. “They lived right next to might also run them over with ATVs community when Hirsch encountered a large area that had just been bull- and horses, and they would not be it during a previous visit to the area. dozed. They let us into their home and viable.” The local initiative to protect olive talked to us for two hours about the The unusual assignment was part ridley sea turtles, whose populations situation they are experiencing and of a course in community-based con- worldwide are endangered, was an how the community is dealing with it.” servation offered last year by environ- important focus of the trip. The stu- Whatever the lessons, Mathews mental studies professor Nancy dents learned about the history of the believes the students will not soon for- Mathews. After a semester of class- project, attended workshops on turtle get their experience. room study in the spring, Cawthon care and management, and visited local “I’m guessing that almost everyone and eight other students joined schools to see what children are taught in this class, in some way, shape, or about the rare reptiles. Besides collect- form, is going to — if not reach a hand ing eggs, they also released hatchlings. back down to those particular people “Any time you are holding an to try to help them in some way — is endangered species in your hand, and going to do that for a similar organiza- you’re letting it go, and you’re wishing tion somewhere in the next two or it well, you are wishing the entire three years,” she said. species well,” said Jennifer Bradsby, an undergraduate majoring in wildlife ecology. “It’s hard not to have that Olive ridley sea turtle hatchlings touch your heart and not to become

4 in common Recent Contributions The Nelson Institute thanks the following people and organizations for their generous contributions:

Stephen Ales Mr. and Mrs. Paul Duke Mr. and Mrs. Robert Kastenmeier Sarah Newbury Hugh Anderson Dr. and Mrs. Patrick Eagan Gary Kaszynski Pixie Newman Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Angell Eric Ebersberger Marianne Keddington-Lang Geraldine Nicholson Marian Ashman Katherine Eickenberg James Kendell John O’Brien Association Of Oregon Counties Roxanne Eigenbrod-Zak James Kerler Mr. and Mrs. David Obey Ronald Barganz Karen Emmerich Bruce Keyes Donald Olson Robert Beattie Michael Enders Teresa Kirkeeng-Kincaid Elissa Oppenheim Karen Beaty Theresa Evanson Kathryn Kirk Karen Ordemann Katherine Green Beilfuss Edward Fick Claudia Knab-Vispo Thomas Osborne Lawrence Bennett Timothy Filbert Jeanine Knapp David Oughton Bruce Berman Aaron Frank Carl Kohnert, Jr. Jonathan Peacock Stephen Bevington Susan Gander Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Koteen Brent Petrie Kenneth Birnbaum Steven Gelb Michael Koutnik Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Posekany, Jr. Sandra Black Julie Greenberg Rhonda Kranz Maria Powell Town of Blooming Grove Larry Halverson Lee Kubler Laura Pugh Frances Reese Wesley Halverson Harlan Kuehling Haakon Ragde Russell Boulding Mary Hanley Sandra Lange Beth Rambeck Kenneth Bro Charles Harding Donald Last Mr. and Mrs. James Regali Jason Broehm Robin Harrington Richard Lathrop Tara Roffler Willis Brown III Donna Harris Dorothea Ledin Blaine Sargent Warren Buchanan, Jr. Mark Henderson Andrew Legg Tobias Schafer Mr. and Mrs. William Buehring Mr. and Mrs. Leon Hevly, Jr. Ann Lewandowski Jay Schmidt Pamela Burnett Laura Hewitt Jane Licht Barbara Schmitt Julie Burt Joseph Hoke, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Low Tania Schoennagel Douglas Carlson Daniel Homblette Susan Ludwig James Schweitzer Quentin Carpenter Nicolas Houtman Nadine Lymn Dolores Severtson Patricia Cicero Richard Howarth Ann Maclean Heather Shumaker Joan Bouril-Cloutier Peter Hughes Jeffrey Maxted Brent Sieling Mr. and Mrs. William Penrose Dennis Hussey Jane McCune Tom Sinclair Colby-George Mr. and Mrs. Remington Husted Billie McLaughlin Robert Smet Brenda Cole Monica Jaehnig Tim Meikle Barbara Smith Jennifer Mallette Valerie Jakobi Mariellen Meis Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Smith Johnston Connelly II Jacqueline Jarvis John Melcher Bart Sponseller Sandra Cota John Jenkins Dr. and Mrs. Frederick Meyers Michael Spranger Marianne Daily Fan Jiang Rachel Michaels Lori Steckervetz Teresa Danovich Aaron Johnson Denny Miller Associates Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Edward Stimpson Elizabeth Day Lowell Johnson James Miller Stony Lake Property Owners Marshall Deters Mary Johnson David Misky Assoc Carel Dewinkel Thomas Johnson Douglas Mitchell Marilyn Tausend Nina Dougherty Lewis Jones Charlotte Moats-Gallagher Glenna Jo Temte Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Douglas William Jones Ronald Murray Joanne Thies Christine Thomas David Thomas Peter Thum and Barbara Irvin New Alumni Mary Kate Beard Tisdal Undergraduate certificates: Rachel Conservation Biology & Sustainable Mr. and Mrs. Gene Tollefson Andrews Tolman Arango, Carissa Boettcher, Natalie Brant, Development: Heidi Bonnaffon and Erik Susan Swanson Nicole Burm, Alicia Butz, Jamie Clemans, Steffens, master’s degrees. Rachel Lynne Desiree Veltman Clare Cragan, Kelly Forman, Danielle Stephen Ventura Kevin Vonck Gould, Margaret Griffin, Jacob Hahn, Environmental Monitoring: Suzanne Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Wahl Diana Hartner, Eric Heggelund, Sarah Fitzgerald, Brynda Hatch and Heather Mr. and Mrs. Franklin Wallick Herzberg, Eric Holbus, Robert Kirmse, Kelley, master’s degrees. Julie Walner David Warren and Mary Bogan Jessica Krull, Scott Laeser, Jamie Lamers, Kris Wernstedt Benjamin Lowenberg, David Marsicek, Land Resources: Julia Wilcox, master’s Thomas Whalen Julia McCarthy, Amy Newman, Jonathan degree, and James Yount, doctorate. Donald Wichert Edward Wiegner Pliska, Amanda Schiller, Rebecca Mary Kongsgaard Schreiner, Christopher Sell, Benjamin Water Resources Management: Michele Mr. and Mrs. Marc Williamson Shepherd, Lindsay Skotterud, Kirsten Restino, master’s degree. Judith Wilson Thomas Yuill Sloan, Lori Steckervetz, Jaffer Traish, Charlotte Zieve Shay Vetterman, Laura Wagner and Nancy Ritter Zolidis Matthew Weaver.

Spring/summer 2005 5 Alumni News Engineering of Minnesota, LLC, International Crane Foundation in located in Plymouth. Baraboo, Wisconsin. “Mainly I am tasked with wetland “That’s where I fell in love with Kathryn Harris (M.S., WRM ’98) is a investigations, delineations, and per- cranes,” says Lauber. “I am captivated project manager in the regulatory mitting for our clients, in addition to by these birds because of their beauty, branch of the U.S. Army Corps of hydric soil investigations, EAW/EIS intelligence and joyfulness. Each has Engineers in Portland, Oregon. preparation, and other environmental its own personality, and watching a “After graduating from the Water issues as the need arises.” crane dance with its mate or care Resources Program, I moved to Hodapp lives in Brooklyn Park, intensely for its chick is extraordinary.” Austin, Texas, and accepted a job in Minn. Lauber was recently featured in an the water quality section of the state’s online interview on the Audubon environmental agency,” she writes. Jaime Jelenchick (B.S., Art/ Nature Institute’s Web site “Realizing Texas was just not my style, Environmental Studies ’04) will begin (www.auduboninstitute.org). I moved to Oregon in the spring of working on a master of fine arts degree “Cranes have existed for millions of 2000. I knew I had found heaven in the Science & Natural History years, but just in the last century they before the plane even landed.” Filmmaking Program at Montana State have become endangered,” she explains. Harris says she had to overcome University this fall. After graduate “Both our native Mississippi sandhill some reservations about her new school, she hopes to pursue independ- cranes and the whooping cranes are employer. ent documentary film-making, museum endangered due to habitat loss and “I always had a rather negative film production, teaching, development human disturbance. Techniques such as view of the Army Corps, but once of science education materials, “or all artificial insemination and costume- inside, I realized my fellow co-workers of the above.” rearing chicks has significantly share my concern for the environ- While she was an undergraduate, increased the number of properly ment,” Harris explains. “My job entails Jelenchick spent time in Ecuador, imprinted chicks that can be released reviewing applications to impact where she became involved with a pri- into the wild, which is a good sign waters of the United States, including vately owned cloud forest reserve in since both species are monogamous, wetlands and rivers of all shapes and the northwestern part of the country forming lifelong pair-bonds and raising sizes. The two counties under my called Río Guajalito. Her experience usually one chick a year. review involve two spectrums of the was highlighted in a story published by “I can’t imagine a world without state: urban and coastal farm commu- the UW–Madison International Studies cranes,” Lauber says. “I want to help nities, resulting in a great variety of Program. You can find it online at them in any way that I can.” work.” www.intlstudies.wisc.edu/DeansOffice/ Lauber can be contacted by email Harris has also become a serious EIntl/StudentNewsS04.htm. at [email protected]. triathlete. Jelenchick has been working as the “I went back to Madison last fall economic development coordinator for Justin Mog (Ph.D., LR ’03; M.S., ’99) for the first time since graduating in the Milwaukee Alliance, a non-profit and Amanda Fuller (M.S., LR ’02) 1998 to participate in Ironman group that works in urban neighbor- were married last August at a “picnic Wisconsin,” she writes. “My first hoods. in the park” celebration in Madison. triathlon was a short, all-women’s Mog says the “buy-nothing” event beginner’s course in Texas. I feel like I Bruce Kahn (Ph.D., LR ’02) is a was designed to minimize environmen- barely made it across that finish line financial consultant with Smith tal impact. It featured a vegetarian five years ago. Crossing the finish line Barney, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. potluck picnic with reusable tableware, at Ironman Wisconsin was an amazing in New York, specializing in socially local wildflowers, home accommoda- feeling of accomplishment and relief responsible investments. tions and carbon offsets for out-of-town that I hope to repeat in Canada in Kahn can be reached through his guests, and a colorful bicycle parade. 2006. Until then, the mountains beck- company Web page at http://fc.smith- The central findings of Mog’s dis- on me to hike and backpack, while the barney.com/bkahn/. sertation research were published as an rivers call me to kayak.” article in the December 2004 issue of Harris can be contacted via email Megan Lauber (B.A., English/ World Development. Its title is at [email protected]. Environmental Studies ’96) is the “Struggling with Sustainability — A crane coordinator at the Audubon Comparative Framework for Evaluating Benjamin Hodapp (M.S., WRM ’02) Nature Institute in New Orleans. She Sustainable Development Programs.” recently accepted a position as an envi- had previously worked at the ronmental scientist with Anderson

6 in common Erin O’Brien (M.S., LR ’03) was academic credentials in the fields of prices for consumers as a result. It named the 2004 “Performing forestry and land resources are going could also make it easier for alternative Songwriter of the Year” by the to be instrumental in strengthening sources, like wind turbines, to get built Madison Songwriter’s Group. O’Brien our relationship with departments and and used in a manner that makes them has been performing at Madison-area academic programs beyond the profitable.” venues for the past two years. humanities and social sciences. He also Withrow is MISO’s technical lead She’s also been serving as a wetland has a unique and refined intellectual for market settlements applications. policy and conservation specialist with understanding of Latin America and “I work with the software that rec- the Wisconsin Wetland Association. the Caribbean and a genuine interest onciles all the trades that take place She focuses on strengthening state for Spanish and Portuguese affairs.” each hour of each day and divvies up rules and regulations governing wet- Vargas earned a bachelor’s degree the collected money accordingly. It has land management and provides sup- in general agriculture from the been pretty intense work to prepare port to individuals and communities Monterrey Technological Institute in for the ‘market launch,’ which hap- interested in protecting local wetlands. Mexico and a master’s degree from pened on April 1, 2005. But it has The organization is evaluating Texas A&M University. His doctoral been interesting to be involved right at which Wisconsin’s property tax poli- research examined the interactions of the heart of it. cies create economic disincentives for federal, state, and local actors in the “Whether this experiment fails or landowners who hold or restore wet- sustainable use and conservation of succeeds, it will have been a good lands, and is seeking to replace eco- tropical forests by local communities learning experience. The concepts nomic barriers with incentives that in Quintana Roo in southern Mexico. being put into place here were just encourage wetland conservation and Vargas has worked for the starting to be discussed in 1993 when I restoration. International Union for Conservation started in the EAP program. Since O’Brien has also worked for the of Nature and Natural Resources then, although I never really intended River Alliance of Wisconsin and the (IUCN), the Federal Environmental to be a nomad, it has been a circuitous Wisconsin Association of Lakes. Attorney’s Office of Mexico, the career path. I have now lived and For more information about International Institute for worked in all four U.S. time zones O’Brien’s music, visit her Web site, Environment and Development, the since college, plus England and www.erinobrienmusic.com. Her email Inter-American Development Bank, Australia. But now, it’s nice to be using address is [email protected]. the World Wildlife Fund-U.S., the my EAP education on a daily basis ten Overseas Environmental Institute, the years after graduating. Lisa Stefanik (B.A., Sociology/ National Wildlife Federation and the “On the personal side, in June Environmental Studies ’96) recently UW–Madison Land Tenure Center. 2000, I got married in Cozumel, announced her engagement to Andrew He’s been an honorary fellow with the Mexico, to my college girlfriend Gussert. Nelson Institute since 1998. Linda. With this marriage, I gained a Stefanik recently started a new Vargas was raised in Pachuca, daughter, Teresa, who just turned 10, position as marketing manager for the Hidalgo, in central Mexico. He’s mar- and we have a son, Luis Vicente, who Wisconsin Energy Conservation ried to Laurie Greenberg, who holds a will be three in July. We lived in Corporation. She previously worked doctorate in geography from Austin, Texas, near Linda’s family, until for the UW System as a market UW–Madison. They have two chil- moving to Indy last year. Indianapolis research analyst from 1999 to 2004. dren. is okay, but you never see it in those Gussert is president of Progressive ‘most liveable cities’ surveys that Strategies, a government relations firm Kent Withrow (M.S., LR/EAP ’95) Madison always makes. Both our kids in Madison. The couple is planning a began working last June for the are native Texans, so where we end up September wedding in Madison. Midwest Independent Transmission ‘permanently’ remains to be seen. System Operator (MISO) in Carmel, “I miss Madison and the IES Alberto Vargas (Ph.D., LR ’98) was Indiana, just outside Indianapolis. (Nelson Institute) community there. recently appointed associate director “MISO now dispatches electric My family and I will try to come and of the Latin American, Caribbean and generators throughout 15 states in the visit more often, now that we are back Iberian Studies Program (LACIS) at Midwest (including Wisconsin), and in the Midwest. Meanwhile, please UW–Madison. serves as a clearinghouse for trading e-mail me at kwithrow@engineer “This appointment is going to wholesale electricity between utilities,” alum.berkeley.edu.” have a tremendous positive impact on he explains. “In theory, this will pro- our program,” says LACIS director vide more efficient use of this region’s Guido Podesta. “Alberto’s excellent electricity infrastructure, with lower

spring/Summer 2005 7 Your Gift Makes Calling All Alumni! a Difference By Mary Mercier, Senior Student Services Coordinator Gifts are an important source of Are you currently working in an environmental field? If so and you hear of envi- financial support for the Nelson ronmental job opportunities with your employer, please share this information Institute. with other Nelson Institute alumni. Private contributions from We publish a weekly online newsletter of environmental job opportunities alumni, friends, and faculty and (www.ies.wisc.edu/alumni/ejo), and we’d particularly like to include current vacan- staff members enable us to offer cies contributed by our alumni. unique scholarships, fellowships and To contribute a job announcement, email to [email protected], or send by travel opportunities for students; post to the Gaylord Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, Room 70 Science named professorships for outstand- Hall, 550 N. Park Street, Madison, WI 53706. ing faculty members; special lecture And if you’re job-hunting, check out our online environmental employment series and related public programs; resources. You can find them at www.ies.wisc.edu/students/careers.htm. this newsletter; and much more. Please consider helping the Nelson Institute with a gift of your Your turn... Moving? own. For more information, visit Let us know what’s new in your Please keep us in mind when you fill our home page at careers and lives. Drop us a line out those postal change-of-address www.ies.wisc.edu and click on at In Common, 10 Science Hall, forms. Better yet, you can email us “Giving to the Institute.” 550 N. Park St., Madison, WI about recent or upcoming changes in If you’ve already given to the 53706–1491; fax us at your location. Send information to institute recently, thank you. 608/262–2273; or email to [email protected]. [email protected]. Thanks!

Gaylord Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies University of Wisconsin–Madison 550 North Park Street, 15 Science Hall Madison, WI 53706-1491

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