Dear Colleagues,

More than half way through my first year as the new Dean of the College of Natural Science (CNS) at Michigan State University, I continue to be excited about all the wonderful programs in the college and at the University. I knew before I arrived that CNS is a leader, not only within the University and the Big Ten, but nationally and internationally as well. It has been a pleasure for me to get to know everyone here and to understand more deeply that this is true.  My overriding objective for the College is to build on this tradition of excellence.

Throughout the Campaign for MSU, CNS saw tremendous support from our faculty, staff and retirees. In fact, your contributions provided over $6 million of our total dollars raised for this landmark campaign.  I am very grateful for your commitment during this time. However, although the campaign is officially over, it is my hope that your support from programs in CNS will continue now and into the future. As state support for the University decreases and we become a “state assisted” institution, the foundation that your gifts provide the college and its departments is more important than ever.

I am pleased to say that my wife, Carol, and I have made our own commitment to the college, by creating the “R. James and Carol A. Kirkpatrick Fellowship”. This fellowship will give doctoral candidates with a commitment to research excellence an opportunity excel in their chosen field.  Please consider joining us in financially supporting CNS and its programs. There are many funds already created in each department, and your support of these will help us continue to do the stellar work for which we are so well known. Some of these funds are listed below.  However, if you have other interests within the College, I encourage you to contact Kate Powers in our development office at (517) 353-5962. Additionally, I hope that you will visit our web site, www.naturalscience.msu.edu, to see the many exciting things that are taking place in the College of Natural Science.

To all of our faculty and staff donors, I wish to express deep appreciation for each and every gift made to the College this year. From first-time annual gifts to Donor Society pledges, your support is vital in allowing the college to move forward over the coming years. I am proud to be a part of CNS and MSU, and your support only strengthens that pride.

Dean, College of Natural Science