10-R321

2010 -- S 3000

Enacted 06/09/10

 

 

S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

HONORING FRANCIS GOLET, PH.D., ON HIS RETIREMENT AFTER ALMOST 38 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND

     

     

     Introduced By: Senators Sosnowski, Felag, McBurney, and Walaska

     Date Introduced: June 09, 2010

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, In 1967, Francis “Frank” Golet graduated from Brown University with a

Bachelor’s degree in Geology. He continued his education, attaining his Master’s degree in

Wildlife Science at Cornell University, and his Ph.D. in Wildlife Biology from the University of

Massachusetts at Amherst in 1973; and  

     WHEREAS, To the very good fortune of many a student, Frank began his compassionate

and dedicated career at the University of Rhode Island in October of 1972. His insights and

talents caused him to assume greater responsibilities at URI and earned him the regard of his

peers. In 1978, URI appointed him as an Associate Professor, in 1991, he was named a Full

Professor, and in 1997, he became Director of Natural Resources Science Graduate Studies; and  

     WHEREAS, During his time at URI, Frank’s passion for teaching resulted in tremendous

strides in the educational experience of the young men and women at the University. The

wetland science and management series of courses that Frank has taught since the mid 70s

represent the most comprehensive collegiate training available to students in the field; and  

     WHEREAS, Always going above and beyond what was expected of him, Frank follows

his students through commencement, assisting them with placements in wetland positions once

they’ve graduated. Over the past four years, he has assisted 21 students and has an amazing

career-long total of helping 161 students to find careers with federal agencies, state and regional

offices, and various other governmental and nongovernmental organizations; and  

     WHEREAS, Highly respected in the field, Frank has earned a plethora of honors and

awards, including the National Wetlands Award from the Environmental Law Institute in 2004,

the Legacy Award from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2005, and the Distinguished

Alumnus Award from the University of Massachusetts Department of Natural Resources

Conservation in 2005, and he was honored with the Teaching Excellence Award from the URI

Foundation in 2009, to name just a few; and  

     WHEREAS, In addition to teaching at the University, Frank is also highly published,

conducts research, and contributes his time and talents to the community and a myriad of boards

and commissions. His book, “Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United

States,” has been cited in over 2,500 publications. In addition, he is a member, advisor, and/or

sits on the Board of Directors or Board of Trustees for the Audubon Society of Rhode Island, the

Rhode Island Chapter of the Nature Conservancy, RIDEM Wetlands Monitoring and Assessment

Program, the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council, the Scientific Advisory

Committee, and the Ad Hoc Mapping and Biodiversity Monitoring Committees. He was also the

external reviewer for the Revised Freshwater Wetlands Rules and Regulations for Rhode Island;

and 

     WHEREAS, By virtue of his extraordinary efforts and accomplishments, Frank Golet

leaves a legacy of outstanding conservation and altruistic protection of our environment that will

ultimately benefit many future generations, and he serves as an exceptional role model for all our

educational leaders; now, therefore be it  

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby honors and commends Francis Golet, Ph.D., on his retirement after almost 38 years of

devoted service to generations of young students at the University of Rhode Island. We

furthermore thank him for all his efforts and wish him good health, fulfillment, and much success

in all his future endeavors; and be it further 

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mr. Francis Golet, Ph.D.

     

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LC02877

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