ESF celebrates December Convocation

ESF celebrates December ConvocationDecember 03, 2007SU News ServicesSUnews@syr.edu

The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) will award 129 degrees, including 13 Ph.D.s, during the 2007 December Convocation, Friday, Dec. 7, from 3-5 p.m. in Hendricks Chapel.

Three alumni will be honored during convocation:

Edwin Ketchledge ’49 will receive the ESF Lifetime Achievement Award. During his tenure, Ketchledge was a beloved mentor, advisor and role model to ESF students. He focused his career and retirement on protecting the Adirondack high country, including starting a citizen-driven Summit Stewardship program to protect the high peaks.

Ronald J. Eby, ’69, ’72, ’74, and Mary E. Fowkes ’77 will receive the Alumni of Distinction Award. Eby received the National Medal of Technology for his work developing the vaccine Prevnar, which has reduced by up to 75 percent the number of ear infections and cases of pediatric pneumonia and meningitis caused by the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. Fowkes has distinguished herself as a medical examiner for the City of New York and is on the faculty at New York University Medical Center. She has returned to ESF to lecture on forensic entomology and has advised U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton on medical issues.