Matthew J. Marko
Dear Members of the ESF Community,
The Fall 2020 semester is almost upon us, and I am excited to confirm that the search for ESF’s next president is progressing as planned. Please continue to watch your inbox for periodic updates or visit our website at www.esf.edu/president-search.htm.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I would like to extend my appreciation to Chief Financial Officer and Vice President for Administration Joe Rufo, who agreed to serve as Officer-in-Charge until the new President takes office.
The trustees and I would like to once again extend our gratitude to David Amberg for his service to the College as Interim President. Dr. Amberg led ESF through some very challenging times.
Dr. Amberg initiated the development of a partnership with Clarkson University, that includes a newly funded Center of Excellence for Healthy Water, supported the construction of a new state-of-the-art analytical chemistry lab as a state resource to monitor water quality, and led efforts to redesign the graduate program to increase stipends for graduate students. All these efforts will positively affect our ability to recruit quality Ph.D. students.
In addition, during his two years at the college Dr. Amberg’s advocacy resulted in nearly $1.9 million in funding through the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets for climate and applied forestry research, as well as the Environmental Protection Fund for the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment, the Visitor’s Interpretive Center in Newcomb and the American Chestnut Restoration project. Dr. Amberg’s commitment to the student experience led to the College’s effort to centralize student experiential learning and internship opportunities and established the First-Year Experience Task Force to address issues of student success and retention. Under his leadership, ESF launched its first online bachelor’s degree program in Sustainability Management.
Finally, Dr. Amberg was instrumental in the College developing a new and comprehensive facilities master plan and facilitating the critical $40 million retrofit
of the historic Marshall Hall, including the incorporation of many “green” aspects and technologies across other Syracuse campus buildings.
Dr. Amberg will be remembered for these and other accomplishments, but his legacy may well be his ability to unite people around the ESF mission and to inspire faculty, staff, and students to work together toward a common goal.
All of us at ESF wish you well, Dave.
Sincerely,
Matthew Marko
Chair, ESF Board of Trustees