The Odum School of Ecology celebrated fall 2021 graduation with a convocation ceremony and reception for graduates and their families on Dec. 17 in the ecology auditorium, the first in-person convocation since 2019.

Interim Dean Sonia Altizer, Georgia Athletic Association Professor of Ecology, welcomed participants and delivered the convocation address.

In her remarks, Altizer acknowledged the difficulties that students have overcome to complete their degrees in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and paid tribute to their perseverance.

“Many of you feel like you lost a big part of the past two years of your training,” she said. “This was not the backdrop that any of us wanted or had planned. But you made the most of this experience, and you made it here. You pressed on, and adapted. You made memories, learned new skills, and made scientific discoveries—even if they weren’t the ones you’d planned.” 

Altizer also noted the increasing relevance of ecology in today’s world.

“If the past two years have taught us anything, it’s that we as people are profoundly connected to the natural world, and we need to understand how to keep ecosystems healthy,” she said. “Ecology is linked to everything from our food supply to sea level rise and extreme weather events and also to pandemics, as more pathogens cross species boundaries, and as ecologists work to understand pathogen spillover and disease spread.

“Our graduates are going out into the world with foundational knowledge to help with these issues,” she said. “The world needs experts in ecological science; the world needs you.”

Finally, Altizer offered encouragement for the transition to life beyond the university. 

“To our graduates: you are ready to face the next steps in your life, even though you might not realize it,” she said. “You are leaving a place of familiarity and comfort to go out into the wilderness of your imagination. You will take new risks, and we can’t wait to learn what you will do and discover next, because it will be amazing.”

Altizer’s remarks were followed by a hooding ceremony for those receiving master’s and doctoral degrees, and the presentation of bachelor’s degree graduates. Degrees were presented by Distinguished Research Professor of Ecology John Drake, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and director of the Center for the Ecology of Infectious Diseases. Assisting in the presentation were Professor Craig Osenberg, Graduate Program Coordinator, and Lecturer Amanda Rugenski, Undergraduate Program Coordinator.

The ceremony concluded with Development and Alumni Relations Coordinator Allison Walters welcoming the new graduates to the Odum School alumni community. Nearly 80 guests joined in the post-ceremony celebration, which included lunch and refreshments in the Ecology Courtyard.

Graduate Students

Rajreni Beckett Kaul
Doctor of Philosophy in Ecology
Advisor: John Drake
Dissertation: Bringing theory to life: Noise-induced transitions

Robert Lundell Richards
Doctor of Philosophy in Ecology
Advisors: Vanessa Ezenwa and John Drake
Dissertation: The effects of predators on parasites in their prey

Emily Madison Monroe
Master of Science in Ecology
Advisor: Krista Capps
Thesis: Spatial and temporal patterns of microplastic concentrations in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia wastewater treatment systems

Sarah Louise Ottinger
Master of Science in Ecology
Advisor: Nina Wurzburger
Thesis: Symbiotic nitrogen fixation strategy of a temperate forest nitrogen-fixing tree

Undergraduate Students

Constantina Louise Constantinides
Bachelor of Science in Ecology
Minor in Portuguese
cum laude

Maxine Eva Heffron
Bachelor of Science in Ecology
Certificate in Entrepreneurship
magna cum laude

Hannah Elizabeth Mone
Bachelor of Science in Ecology
Bachelor of Science in Biology with an emphasis in Marine Biology
magna cum laude

Tyler Garrison Richmond
Bachelor of Science in Ecology

Sabrina Lee Sailer
Bachelor of Science in Ecology

Kyle Jacob Steen
Bachelor of Science in Ecology
Minor in Geography
Certificate in Geographic Information Science
cum laude

Maud Alby van der Beek
Bachelor of Arts in Ecology
Minor in Anthropology