“Urgency Without Cynicism” 

On Saturday, May 16, 2026, the Rubenstein School celebrated the nearly 300 undergraduate students in the class of 2026 with an enthusiastic crowd of family, friends, faculty, and staff. Commencement speaker Heather Furman, graduate alumna and Director of The Nature Conservancy's Appalachians Program, delivered a poignant and inspiring address. Furman encouraged students to start with what is right in front of them when addressing challenges impacting their local communities and ecosystems. 

“You may think influence belongs to people who are older, richer, more connected, more established. It does not. Some of the most powerful changes in history began with people your age deciding they were tired of waiting. You have something precious: urgency without cynicism. Protect that. The world will try to convince you that idealism is naïve. Do not believe it. Idealism with skill becomes leadership.”

– Heather Furman

I'm wrapping up my second full year as Dean of the Rubenstein School, and I am in awe of the achievements of our faculty, staff, and students. Over the past twelve months we successfully welcomed our largest first-year class ever, navigated research funding shifts, and underwent our first academic program review since 2018. I am thoroughly impressed by the hard work we’ve done together, all while acting from our shared values and in pursuit of our mission question. 

This year our faculty and staff were recognized across the university for their impact on students, engagement with community partners, and research. I am particularly proud of our Rubenstein School faculty who were recognized in four of UVM's nine faculty award categories!

In the months ahead, our staff and leadership team will be supporting students with internships and research, preparing incoming students for orientation, developing new online academic offerings, and crafting the Rubenstein School's strategic plan in alignment with UVM's Green, Gold, and Bold plan. 

We are leaning into openness, innovation, and responsibility as we confront the many challenges facing our environment, our communities, and higher education. This work won’t be easy, but I remain an optimist. I am excited for the opportunity to consider where we will have the greatest positive impact, by trying new things, and pursuing excellence, justice, and curiosity every step of the way. 

I invite you to consider how you can positively affect the places you work, recreate, and live. We need all of you in this effort! 

Wishing everyone a fulfilling summer.

Fighting wildfires in Montana. Teaching in Alaska. Managing invasive fish in Wyoming. These are just some of the incredible things that recent Rubenstein School seniors will be doing post graduation.

Rubenstein School researchers Tony D'Amato and Lucas Harris studied forests in 18 states and found that over a 15 year period the primary cause of tree loss in the northeast shifted from human harvesting to pests, diseases, and other “natural” causes.

In 2024 we surveyed Rubenstein School alumni, nearly 300 respondents shared where they are working around the world. Our alumni are making an impact on five continents, and we know there are more of you out there that are not represented on our alumni map.