Warner College of Natural Resources Commencement

December 14, 2024

Order of Ceremony

Processional ¹ – Big Thompson Brass

National Anthem ² – Hayley Price

Introduction of Platform Party – Dr. Monique Rocca

Opening Remarks – Dean A. Alonso Aguirre

Commencement Address – Dr. Benjamin Tuggle

Recognition of Honors Program Graduates and Honorary Society Initiates – Dr. Chris Myrick

Remarks to the Class – President Amy Parsons

Recognition of Posthumous Degree – Dr. Tony Cheng

Conferring of Degrees – President Parsons and Dean Aguirre

Awarding of Diplomas – Dean Aguirre, Paul Layden, and Department Heads

Graduating Senior Address – Desirae McCutchen

Closing Remarks – Dean Aguirre

Alma Mater ² – Hayley Price

Recessional – Big Thompson Brass

¹ Audience will stand

² Audience may remain seated

On the Platform

Amy Parsons, J.D., President, Colorado State University

Dr. A. Alonso Aguirre, Dean, Warner College of Natural Resources

Dr. Monique Rocca, Associate Dean, Warner College of Natural Resources

Desirae McCutchen, Graduating Senior, Forest and Rangeland Stewardship

Dr. Benjamin Tuggle, Guest Speaker, Warner College of Natural Resources Dean’s Advisory Council

Dr. James Pritchett, Vice President for Engagement and Extension, Colorado State University

Dr. Eric Toman, Department Head, Forest and Rangeland Stewardship

Dr. Tony Cheng, Interim Department Head, Human Dimensions of Natural Resources

Dr. Rich Conant, Department Head, Ecosystem Science and Sustainability

Dr. Joel Pederson, Department Head, Geosciences

Dr. Jennifer Boyd, Department Head, Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology

Mr. Paul Layden, Master Instructor, Human Dimensions of Natural Resources

Dr. Rickey Frierson, Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, Warner College of Natural Resources

Dr. David Anderson, Director, Colorado Natural Heritage Program

Matt McCombs, Director, Colorado State Forest Service

Nicole Stafford, Director, Environmental Learning Center

Dr. John Sanderson, Director, Center for Collaborative Conservation

Dr. Mireille Gonzalez, Co-Director, Center for Human-Carnivore Coexistence

Dr. Camille Stevens-Rumann, Interim Director, Colorado Forest Restoration Institute

Marshals

Shimon Watanabe, Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology

Jacqie Hasan, Human Dimensions of Natural Resources

Dr. Wilfred Previant, Forest and Rangeland Stewardship

Dr. Steven Fassnacht, Ecosystem Science and Sustainability

Dr. Sara Rathburn, Geosciences

The Mace

The mace, originally a weapon of offense, has long been the insignia of authority. The mace carried in today’s ceremony was presented to Colorado State University by the College of Natural Resources in 1981. The three-and-half-foot black walnut staff, surmounted by a carved rams head, is embellished in silver with the emblems of Colorado State University and the State of Colorado.

Dr. Benjamin Tuggle, Commencement Speaker

Dr. Benjamin N. Tuggle, a dynamic conservation leader and diversity champion, was with the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service for more than 40 years prior to his retirement. He served as the Regional Director for the Southwest Region, where he provided leadership and policy direction in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Arizona, successfully managing some of the nation’s most complex and controversial natural resource management issues. Later, he served as the Assistant Director for Science Applications, where he fostered collaboration among federal, state and local natural resource agencies, Native American tribes, private sector and non-governmental environmental groups in order to develop and advocate the use of sound science for fish and wildlife conservation and management.

Throughout his prominent career, Dr. Tuggle has been a tireless advocate for staff and researchers working on notable wildlife conservation issues, as well as prioritizing the development of opportunities for youth (especially minority youth) in natural sciences and natural resources management.

Dr. Tuggle holds a Bachelor of Science Degree (1975) in Biology from Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley GA; and Master of Science (1977) and Doctor of Philosophy (1982) Degrees from The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH.