[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
so your time at Furman or your time in
so your time at Furman or your time in college is an opportunity to wander the
college is an opportunity to wander the
college is an opportunity to wander the world in search of something that world
world in search of something that world
world in search of something that world can be spatial in terms you could study
can be spatial in terms you could study
can be spatial in terms you could study abroad spend a semester in Europe spend
abroad spend a semester in Europe spend
abroad spend a semester in Europe spend a semester in Asia or can be more
a semester in Asia or can be more
a semester in Asia or can be more academic exploring different courses and
academic exploring different courses and
academic exploring different courses and the information embedded within those my
the information embedded within those my
the information embedded within those my own exploration started with how can I
own exploration started with how can I
own exploration started with how can I be a better tree hugger how could I save
be a better tree hugger how could I save
be a better tree hugger how could I save trees but that path has taken me to
trees but that path has taken me to
trees but that path has taken me to expose me to different disciplinary
expose me to different disciplinary
expose me to different disciplinary ideas and unexpected interruptions as a
ideas and unexpected interruptions as a
ideas and unexpected interruptions as a student as a new student one of the most
student as a new student one of the most
student as a new student one of the most in choices important choices you might
in choices important choices you might
in choices important choices you might make as your major I’m you see that
make as your major I’m you see that
make as your major I’m you see that major as setting you up for your career
major as setting you up for your career
major as setting you up for your career along the way though you’re going to
along the way though you’re going to
along the way though you’re going to have a number of intersections you’re
have a number of intersections you’re
have a number of intersections you’re going to come up against new ideas
going to come up against new ideas
going to come up against new ideas you’re going to intersect with different
you’re going to intersect with different
you’re going to intersect with different passions and unexpected and exciting
passions and unexpected and exciting
passions and unexpected and exciting engagement opportunities I want to argue
engagement opportunities I want to argue
engagement opportunities I want to argue or hopefully convince you all today that
or hopefully convince you all today that
or hopefully convince you all today that those random intersections unexpected
those random intersections unexpected
those random intersections unexpected classes that you take during your time
classes that you take during your time
classes that you take during your time at college might be the most important
at college might be the most important
at college might be the most important opportunities for you I mean truth set
opportunities for you I mean truth set
opportunities for you I mean truth set you up for broader life successes your
you up for broader life successes your
you up for broader life successes your major can be seen as a pathway or a
major can be seen as a pathway or a
major can be seen as a pathway or a guidepost side you know here’s a set of
guidepost side you know here’s a set of
guidepost side you know here’s a set of courses here’s a track this is what I’m
courses here’s a track this is what I’m
courses here’s a track this is what I’m going to do along the way there are a
going to do along the way there are a
going to do along the way there are a series of courses that you might see as
series of courses that you might see as
series of courses that you might see as impediments so maybe a speed bump that
impediments so maybe a speed bump that
impediments so maybe a speed bump that you need to accelerate through just get
you need to accelerate through just get
you need to accelerate through just get it done out of the way or perhaps a way
it done out of the way or perhaps a way
it done out of the way or perhaps a way a stopping point that you put off until
a stopping point that you put off until
a stopping point that you put off until the very end these general education
the very end these general education
the very end these general education requirements are the hallmark of liberal
requirements are the hallmark of liberal
requirements are the hallmark of liberal education and I think actually provides
education and I think actually provides
education and I think actually provides some of the most valuable tools and
some of the most valuable tools and
some of the most valuable tools and perspectives for a student and for
perspectives for a student and for
perspectives for a student and for anyone in general Furman as a liberal
anyone in general Furman as a liberal
anyone in general Furman as a liberal arts school has its broad suite of GE RS
arts school has its broad suite of GE RS
arts school has its broad suite of GE RS I’ve heard students Rumble about it even
I’ve heard students Rumble about it even
I’ve heard students Rumble about it even the faculty say while we have a lot of
the faculty say while we have a lot of
the faculty say while we have a lot of GE RS but I think that’s actually
GE RS but I think that’s actually
GE RS but I think that’s actually fantastic we require you to take classes
fantastic we require you to take classes
fantastic we require you to take classes in
in
in tree in English in science in art and
tree in English in science in art and
tree in English in science in art and this exposure is really valuable when
this exposure is really valuable when
this exposure is really valuable when students ask what is your favorite class
students ask what is your favorite class
students ask what is your favorite class to teach and I see a few of my students
to teach and I see a few of my students
to teach and I see a few of my students from different classes here so if you’re
from different classes here so if you’re
from different classes here so if you’re not in this class this is not anything
not in this class this is not anything
not in this class this is not anything about you in particular but I love
about you in particular but I love
about you in particular but I love teaching my non majors biology course
teaching my non majors biology course
teaching my non majors biology course you know when you have multiple kids you
you know when you have multiple kids you
you know when you have multiple kids you can’t really say which is your favorite
can’t really say which is your favorite
can’t really say which is your favorite but if there were only those students in
but if there were only those students in
but if there were only those students in the room I’d say biology in the
the room I’d say biology in the
the room I’d say biology in the environment is my favorite class to
environment is my favorite class to
environment is my favorite class to teach at Furman so who am i I’m a
teach at Furman so who am i I’m a
teach at Furman so who am i I’m a biology professor here at Furman I
biology professor here at Furman I
biology professor here at Furman I really like this meme because it allows
really like this meme because it allows
really like this meme because it allows me to kind of talk about what I think I
me to kind of talk about what I think I
me to kind of talk about what I think I do and reflect on maybe what other
do and reflect on maybe what other
do and reflect on maybe what other people think that I do what I think is
people think that I do what I think is
people think that I do what I think is even more important or more valuable in
even more important or more valuable in
even more important or more valuable in it is the fact that I’d like to think I
it is the fact that I’d like to think I
it is the fact that I’d like to think I do all of this in the sense that
do all of this in the sense that
do all of this in the sense that information decisions teaching our
information decisions teaching our
information decisions teaching our interactions with the world are much
interactions with the world are much
interactions with the world are much more compelling are much more
more compelling are much more
more compelling are much more interesting when we take different ideas
interesting when we take different ideas
interesting when we take different ideas and stack them together layering
and stack them together layering
and stack them together layering knowledge layering experiences layering
knowledge layering experiences layering
knowledge layering experiences layering layering ways forward ultimately allows
layering ways forward ultimately allows
layering ways forward ultimately allows us to better understand the real world
us to better understand the real world
us to better understand the real world and be productive citizens so let’s
and be productive citizens so let’s
and be productive citizens so let’s start with who everybody my family my
start with who everybody my family my
start with who everybody my family my friends my students who think that I
friends my students who think that I
friends my students who think that I really in that one that was in the top
really in that one that was in the top
really in that one that was in the top left-hand corner there I’m a burger I
left-hand corner there I’m a burger I
left-hand corner there I’m a burger I will freely admit some might even call
will freely admit some might even call
will freely admit some might even call me a bird nerd I have a life list I can
me a bird nerd I have a life list I can
me a bird nerd I have a life list I can I’ve identified travel the world scene
I’ve identified travel the world scene
I’ve identified travel the world scene over 500 different species I engage in
over 500 different species I engage in
over 500 different species I engage in competitions who can see the most number
competitions who can see the most number
competitions who can see the most number of birds in a day in a year my father
of birds in a day in a year my father
of birds in a day in a year my father and I have a running competition there I
and I have a running competition there I
and I have a running competition there I get excited passionate when other
get excited passionate when other
get excited passionate when other faculty members leave dead birds on my
faculty members leave dead birds on my
faculty members leave dead birds on my desk uh-uh it happened this week is
desk uh-uh it happened this week is
desk uh-uh it happened this week is fantastic it was a yellow yellow-bellied
fantastic it was a yellow yellow-bellied
fantastic it was a yellow yellow-bellied sapsucker and so but interacting with
sapsucker and so but interacting with
sapsucker and so but interacting with that is really really cool in the same
that is really really cool in the same
that is really really cool in the same way I’ll travel anywhere to see a
way I’ll travel anywhere to see a
way I’ll travel anywhere to see a vermilion flycatcher when Hurricane
vermilion flycatcher when Hurricane
vermilion flycatcher when Hurricane Katrina occurred in 20 it’s a 2003-2004
Katrina occurred in 20 it’s a 2003-2004
Katrina occurred in 20 it’s a 2003-2004 I was the only person driving south
I was the only person driving south
I was the only person driving south everyone was trying to escape I was
everyone was trying to escape I was
everyone was trying to escape I was trying to
trying to
trying to find that bird but it’s more than just
find that bird but it’s more than just
find that bird but it’s more than just finding a bird getting outside allows me
finding a bird getting outside allows me
finding a bird getting outside allows me to you know be in nature to appreciate
to you know be in nature to appreciate
to you know be in nature to appreciate that explore a new area and as a
that explore a new area and as a
that explore a new area and as a researcher to that inspiration for the
researcher to that inspiration for the
researcher to that inspiration for the next project teaching biology of the
next project teaching biology of the
next project teaching biology of the environment gives me the opportunity to
environment gives me the opportunity to
environment gives me the opportunity to share that passion with other students
share that passion with other students
share that passion with other students one thing I have the students do
one thing I have the students do
one thing I have the students do throughout the semester is we learn to
throughout the semester is we learn to
throughout the semester is we learn to identify a diversity of different
identify a diversity of different
identify a diversity of different species we do trees plants mammals
species we do trees plants mammals
species we do trees plants mammals reptiles amphibians by the end of the
reptiles amphibians by the end of the
reptiles amphibians by the end of the semester and they can identify a suite
semester and they can identify a suite
semester and they can identify a suite of birds by sight some by sound but
of birds by sight some by sound but
of birds by sight some by sound but ultimately my goal is when the students
ultimately my goal is when the students
ultimately my goal is when the students walk out of the class they can identify
walk out of the class they can identify
walk out of the class they can identify more birds than they can fashion brands
more birds than they can fashion brands
more birds than they can fashion brands which is really statics if you look
which is really statics if you look
which is really statics if you look through and you ask the average person
through and you ask the average person
through and you ask the average person if we did in this room how many brands
if we did in this room how many brands
if we did in this room how many brands clothing and how many companies can you
clothing and how many companies can you
clothing and how many companies can you name it’s probably more there than Birds
name it’s probably more there than Birds
name it’s probably more there than Birds and so that sometimes I feel is my
and so that sometimes I feel is my
and so that sometimes I feel is my crowning achievement in that class but
crowning achievement in that class but
crowning achievement in that class but it’s a pathway to understanding the
it’s a pathway to understanding the
it’s a pathway to understanding the diversity of life when you see that
diversity of life when you see that
diversity of life when you see that there’s 10,000 species of bird in the
there’s 10,000 species of bird in the
there’s 10,000 species of bird in the world it really opens the door that
world it really opens the door that
world it really opens the door that there’s a lot out there to explore it’s
there’s a lot out there to explore it’s
there’s a lot out there to explore it’s also a key intersection we start
also a key intersection we start
also a key intersection we start thinking big ideas and complex ideas and
thinking big ideas and complex ideas and
thinking big ideas and complex ideas and how do we communicate as scientists we
how do we communicate as scientists we
how do we communicate as scientists we are not always the most effective at
are not always the most effective at
are not always the most effective at communicating complex ideas I love this
communicating complex ideas I love this
communicating complex ideas I love this figure but if you’re a non-scientist it
figure but if you’re a non-scientist it
figure but if you’re a non-scientist it might not make any sense whatsoever a
might not make any sense whatsoever a
might not make any sense whatsoever a bunch of random line so I’ve really
bunch of random line so I’ve really
bunch of random line so I’ve really enjoyed in you know my non majors
enjoyed in you know my non majors
enjoyed in you know my non majors biology class learning from my students
biology class learning from my students
biology class learning from my students how to more effectively communicate
how to more effectively communicate
how to more effectively communicate complex ideas the idea of data
complex ideas the idea of data
complex ideas the idea of data visualization I think is a really
visualization I think is a really
visualization I think is a really important feel that intersects with
important feel that intersects with
important feel that intersects with biology and the idea of communicating
biology and the idea of communicating
biology and the idea of communicating and learning how to communicate across
and learning how to communicate across
and learning how to communicate across disciplines is key one if you’re a
disciplines is key one if you’re a
disciplines is key one if you’re a biologist you may go on to a bio you
biologist you may go on to a bio you
biologist you may go on to a bio you know career in biology but you’re going
know career in biology but you’re going
know career in biology but you’re going to have to communicate to non biologists
to have to communicate to non biologists
to have to communicate to non biologists so how do you learn those language that
so how do you learn those language that
so how do you learn those language that terminology and I think just as
terminology and I think just as
terminology and I think just as interestingly even though you’re a
interestingly even though you’re a
interestingly even though you’re a biologist in training the career you
biologist in training the career you
biologist in training the career you might end up in probably won’t be
might end up in probably won’t be
might end up in probably won’t be biology this is a nice figure that does
biology this is a nice figure that does
biology this is a nice figure that does not show up quite as nicely on our
not show up quite as nicely on our
not show up quite as nicely on our screen here but at each of these
screen here but at each of these
screen here but at each of these different lines comes from someone who
different lines comes from someone who
different lines comes from someone who graduate biology and the career that
graduate biology and the career that
graduate biology and the career that there had now and so you can see it’s
there had now and so you can see it’s
there had now and so you can see it’s everything from law
everything from law
everything from law to government business economics and
to government business economics and
to government business economics and what I think back to some of the recent
what I think back to some of the recent
what I think back to some of the recent graduates from furman and some of my
graduates from furman and some of my
graduates from furman and some of my peers most of us aren’t in a biology job
peers most of us aren’t in a biology job
peers most of us aren’t in a biology job we’re doing something different so we
we’re doing something different so we
we’re doing something different so we have to learn to communicate to multiple
have to learn to communicate to multiple
have to learn to communicate to multiple different audiences and it’s not just
different audiences and it’s not just
different audiences and it’s not just biologists if we took all the different
biologists if we took all the different
biologists if we took all the different majors which are on the left hand side
majors which are on the left hand side
majors which are on the left hand side of the figure so blue brown and green
of the figure so blue brown and green
of the figure so blue brown and green and then on the right side where those
and then on the right side where those
and then on the right side where those gray boxes are those are different
gray boxes are those are different
gray boxes are those are different careers it’s the intersection it’s the
careers it’s the intersection it’s the
careers it’s the intersection it’s the unexpected opportunities it’s the new
unexpected opportunities it’s the new
unexpected opportunities it’s the new ideas that you’re ultimately going to
ideas that you’re ultimately going to
ideas that you’re ultimately going to need to succeed in your career and so
need to succeed in your career and so
need to succeed in your career and so what I want to share or communicators
what I want to share or communicators
what I want to share or communicators this idea that you know look to those
this idea that you know look to those
this idea that you know look to those ger s look forward to your ger s as an
ger s look forward to your ger s as an
ger s look forward to your ger s as an opportunity to explore something new and
opportunity to explore something new and
opportunity to explore something new and I want to share how a couple of GE ours
I want to share how a couple of GE ours
I want to share how a couple of GE ours and you know classes outside a biology
and you know classes outside a biology
and you know classes outside a biology really shaped Who I am today one of
really shaped Who I am today one of
really shaped Who I am today one of those you know is you get the
those you know is you get the
those you know is you get the opportunity to maybe read different
opportunity to maybe read different
opportunity to maybe read different books on the road is a really important
books on the road is a really important
books on the road is a really important book for me and taught that there’s idea
book for me and taught that there’s idea
book for me and taught that there’s idea of exploration new opportunities go on a
of exploration new opportunities go on a
of exploration new opportunities go on a grand adventure and perhaps most
grand adventure and perhaps most
grand adventure and perhaps most importantly that all the prettiest girls
importantly that all the prettiest girls
importantly that all the prettiest girls are from Des Moines oh and if you think
are from Des Moines oh and if you think
are from Des Moines oh and if you think about forcing you to look at the world
about forcing you to look at the world
about forcing you to look at the world in a slightly different way you know
in a slightly different way you know
in a slightly different way you know starting from a bird’s eye view we’ve
starting from a bird’s eye view we’ve
starting from a bird’s eye view we’ve all heard that before is actually it
all heard that before is actually it
all heard that before is actually it really is a different way of looking and
really is a different way of looking and
really is a different way of looking and your G ers can prepare you if you’re a
your G ers can prepare you if you’re a
your G ers can prepare you if you’re a biologist or scientist to think about
biologist or scientist to think about
biologist or scientist to think about the complex issues before us today how
the complex issues before us today how
the complex issues before us today how as a bird biologist you know do I feel
as a bird biologist you know do I feel
as a bird biologist you know do I feel about immigration if I had just taken
about immigration if I had just taken
about immigration if I had just taken science courses I’d have a much newer or
science courses I’d have a much newer or
science courses I’d have a much newer or view of the world until through my GE
view of the world until through my GE
view of the world until through my GE ours those unexpected experiences I move
ours those unexpected experiences I move
ours those unexpected experiences I move from being just a bird biologist to try
from being just a bird biologist to try
from being just a bird biologist to try and understand farming in food systems
and understand farming in food systems
and understand farming in food systems when I had the opportunity to give this
when I had the opportunity to give this
when I had the opportunity to give this talk this is my favorite image I thought
talk this is my favorite image I thought
talk this is my favorite image I thought can I just talk about this for eight
can I just talk about this for eight
can I just talk about this for eight minutes probably could might not be as
minutes probably could might not be as
minutes probably could might not be as interesting but this represents six
interesting but this represents six
interesting but this represents six different food systems globally but
different food systems globally but
different food systems globally but what’s powerful here is we’re looking
what’s powerful here is we’re looking
what’s powerful here is we’re looking from that bird’s eye view and we think
from that bird’s eye view and we think
from that bird’s eye view and we think about the different layers that shape
about the different layers that shape
about the different layers that shape what we see its ecology which is
what we see its ecology which is
what we see its ecology which is what I do its history its culture its
what I do its history its culture its
what I do its history its culture its economics and understand these systems
economics and understand these systems
economics and understand these systems we have to be able to integrate all
we have to be able to integrate all
we have to be able to integrate all those complex ideas and you might ask
those complex ideas and you might ask
those complex ideas and you might ask you know why does a biologist who is
you know why does a biologist who is
you know why does a biologist who is interested in saving trees and wandering
interested in saving trees and wandering
interested in saving trees and wandering to find birds care about food again
to find birds care about food again
to find birds care about food again another poet a writer Wendell Berry from
another poet a writer Wendell Berry from
another poet a writer Wendell Berry from Kentucky perhaps that it best as part of
Kentucky perhaps that it best as part of
Kentucky perhaps that it best as part of a longer quote he essentially said
a longer quote he essentially said
a longer quote he essentially said conservationists eat and so if I want to
conservationists eat and so if I want to
conservationists eat and so if I want to save birds if I want to save trees I
save birds if I want to save trees I
save birds if I want to save trees I have to think about the food systems
food and culture are inextricably linked
food and culture are inextricably linked nature and culture I think we would all
nature and culture I think we would all
nature and culture I think we would all agree are our key and they go together
agree are our key and they go together
agree are our key and they go together however as much as I hate to admit it
however as much as I hate to admit it
however as much as I hate to admit it sometimes economics drives decision
sometimes economics drives decision
sometimes economics drives decision making how much something costs is going
making how much something costs is going
making how much something costs is going to shape what we do on a daily basis
to shape what we do on a daily basis
to shape what we do on a daily basis perhaps and when I you know reflecting
perhaps and when I you know reflecting
perhaps and when I you know reflecting back on again what exposed me to
back on again what exposed me to
back on again what exposed me to different ideas the way I got started in
different ideas the way I got started in
different ideas the way I got started in birding was birdie with my father you
birding was birdie with my father you
birding was birdie with my father you might think oh how exciting is that but
might think oh how exciting is that but
might think oh how exciting is that but when your father offers you and is
when your father offers you and is
when your father offers you and is willing to pay if we think of economic
willing to pay if we think of economic
willing to pay if we think of economic terms five dollars per bird to get you
terms five dollars per bird to get you
terms five dollars per bird to get you outside that’s a pretty good deal and so
outside that’s a pretty good deal and so
outside that’s a pretty good deal and so we’d run around the forest and every new
we’d run around the forest and every new
we’d run around the forest and every new bird I found for him he pull out a
bird I found for him he pull out a
bird I found for him he pull out a five-dollar bill and say here you go so
five-dollar bill and say here you go so
five-dollar bill and say here you go so we could think about economics as a
we could think about economics as a
we could think about economics as a driving factor in decision-making and in
driving factor in decision-making and in
driving factor in decision-making and in truth as a undergraduate student and as
truth as a undergraduate student and as
truth as a undergraduate student and as a graduate student I took just as about
a graduate student I took just as about
a graduate student I took just as about as many economics courses as i did
as many economics courses as i did
as many economics courses as i did biology I get more and more excited
biology I get more and more excited
biology I get more and more excited about how this particular field can
about how this particular field can
about how this particular field can inform and influence what I do and so my
inform and influence what I do and so my
inform and influence what I do and so my students and I and continue to do
students and I and continue to do
students and I and continue to do research across fields one of our
research across fields one of our
research across fields one of our projects that we particularly enjoy
projects that we particularly enjoy
projects that we particularly enjoy recently was we asked how much would
recently was we asked how much would
recently was we asked how much would Greenville County residents be willing
Greenville County residents be willing
Greenville County residents be willing to pay to save birds more specifically
to pay to save birds more specifically
to pay to save birds more specifically we asked how much would you be willing
we asked how much would you be willing
we asked how much would you be willing to pay to see a five percent increase in
to pay to see a five percent increase in
to pay to see a five percent increase in forest cover and how much would we how
forest cover and how much would we how
forest cover and how much would we how much would you be willing to pay in your
much would you be willing to pay in your
much would you be willing to pay in your taxes so we’re relatively conservative
taxes so we’re relatively conservative
taxes so we’re relatively conservative part of the country but one of the most
part of the country but one of the most
part of the country but one of the most surprising things was people were
surprising things was people were
surprising things was people were willing to pay almost twenty dollars per
willing to pay almost twenty dollars per
willing to pay almost twenty dollars per person oh
person oh
person oh per year for 10 years to see an increase
per year for 10 years to see an increase
per year for 10 years to see an increase in forest cover that gives me as a
in forest cover that gives me as a
in forest cover that gives me as a biologist a really powerful piece of
biologist a really powerful piece of
biologist a really powerful piece of information to go back and communicate
information to go back and communicate
information to go back and communicate more broadly we continue to work
more broadly we continue to work
more broadly we continue to work stacking different ideas thinking about
stacking different ideas thinking about
stacking different ideas thinking about different layers how do we add values
different layers how do we add values
different layers how do we add values we’re talking about carving we talked
we’re talking about carving we talked
we’re talking about carving we talked about water we talked about quality of
about water we talked about quality of
about water we talked about quality of life and ultimately we’re thinking about
life and ultimately we’re thinking about
life and ultimately we’re thinking about the real world as stacked knowledge and
the real world as stacked knowledge and
the real world as stacked knowledge and i am going to cheat here a little bit
i am going to cheat here a little bit
i am going to cheat here a little bit because it sounded so much better when i
because it sounded so much better when i
because it sounded so much better when i wrote it right so in the rear world in
wrote it right so in the rear world in
wrote it right so in the rear world in your career problems will be complex or
your career problems will be complex or
your career problems will be complex or even better wicked problems your g ers
even better wicked problems your g ers
even better wicked problems your g ers give you the ability to stack
give you the ability to stack
give you the ability to stack information whether it be ecology
information whether it be ecology
information whether it be ecology economics or you know whatever your
economics or you know whatever your
economics or you know whatever your particular passion is and more
particular passion is and more
particular passion is and more importantly your g ers give you kind of
importantly your g ers give you kind of
importantly your g ers give you kind of the freedom while you’re in college to
the freedom while you’re in college to
the freedom while you’re in college to explore to try something new to maybe go
explore to try something new to maybe go
explore to try something new to maybe go in a different direction and so I want
in a different direction and so I want
in a different direction and so I want to end with coming back to our quote
to end with coming back to our quote
to end with coming back to our quote here and suggest that you know I’ve been
here and suggest that you know I’ve been
here and suggest that you know I’ve been able to wander the world in search of
able to wander the world in search of
able to wander the world in search of life whether it’s bird by bird or ger by
life whether it’s bird by bird or ger by
life whether it’s bird by bird or ger by ger I’ve come to know the place i live
ger I’ve come to know the place i live
ger I’ve come to know the place i live and the people that I interact
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Music]
[Music] you
[Music] [Applause]
so your time at Furman or your time in
so your time at Furman or your time in college is an opportunity to wander the
college is an opportunity to wander the
college is an opportunity to wander the world in search of something that world
world in search of something that world
world in search of something that world can be spatial in terms you could study
can be spatial in terms you could study
can be spatial in terms you could study abroad spend a semester in Europe spend
abroad spend a semester in Europe spend
abroad spend a semester in Europe spend a semester in Asia or can be more
a semester in Asia or can be more
a semester in Asia or can be more academic exploring different courses and
academic exploring different courses and
academic exploring different courses and the information embedded within those my
the information embedded within those my
the information embedded within those my own exploration started with how can I
own exploration started with how can I
own exploration started with how can I be a better tree hugger how could I save
be a better tree hugger how could I save
be a better tree hugger how could I save trees but that path has taken me to
trees but that path has taken me to
trees but that path has taken me to expose me to different disciplinary
expose me to different disciplinary
expose me to different disciplinary ideas and unexpected interruptions as a
ideas and unexpected interruptions as a
ideas and unexpected interruptions as a student as a new student one of the most
student as a new student one of the most
student as a new student one of the most in choices important choices you might
in choices important choices you might
in choices important choices you might make as your major I’m you see that
make as your major I’m you see that
make as your major I’m you see that major as setting you up for your career
major as setting you up for your career
major as setting you up for your career along the way though you’re going to
along the way though you’re going to
along the way though you’re going to have a number of intersections you’re
have a number of intersections you’re
have a number of intersections you’re going to come up against new ideas
going to come up against new ideas
going to come up against new ideas you’re going to intersect with different
you’re going to intersect with different
you’re going to intersect with different passions and unexpected and exciting
passions and unexpected and exciting
passions and unexpected and exciting engagement opportunities I want to argue
engagement opportunities I want to argue
engagement opportunities I want to argue or hopefully convince you all today that
or hopefully convince you all today that
or hopefully convince you all today that those random intersections unexpected
those random intersections unexpected
those random intersections unexpected classes that you take during your time
classes that you take during your time
classes that you take during your time at college might be the most important
at college might be the most important
at college might be the most important opportunities for you I mean truth set
opportunities for you I mean truth set
opportunities for you I mean truth set you up for broader life successes your
you up for broader life successes your
you up for broader life successes your major can be seen as a pathway or a
major can be seen as a pathway or a
major can be seen as a pathway or a guidepost side you know here’s a set of
guidepost side you know here’s a set of
guidepost side you know here’s a set of courses here’s a track this is what I’m
courses here’s a track this is what I’m
courses here’s a track this is what I’m going to do along the way there are a
going to do along the way there are a
going to do along the way there are a series of courses that you might see as
series of courses that you might see as
series of courses that you might see as impediments so maybe a speed bump that
impediments so maybe a speed bump that
impediments so maybe a speed bump that you need to accelerate through just get
you need to accelerate through just get
you need to accelerate through just get it done out of the way or perhaps a way
it done out of the way or perhaps a way
it done out of the way or perhaps a way a stopping point that you put off until
a stopping point that you put off until
a stopping point that you put off until the very end these general education
the very end these general education
the very end these general education requirements are the hallmark of liberal
requirements are the hallmark of liberal
requirements are the hallmark of liberal education and I think actually provides
education and I think actually provides
education and I think actually provides some of the most valuable tools and
some of the most valuable tools and
some of the most valuable tools and perspectives for a student and for
perspectives for a student and for
perspectives for a student and for anyone in general Furman as a liberal
anyone in general Furman as a liberal
anyone in general Furman as a liberal arts school has its broad suite of GE RS
arts school has its broad suite of GE RS
arts school has its broad suite of GE RS I’ve heard students Rumble about it even
I’ve heard students Rumble about it even
I’ve heard students Rumble about it even the faculty say while we have a lot of
the faculty say while we have a lot of
the faculty say while we have a lot of GE RS but I think that’s actually
GE RS but I think that’s actually
GE RS but I think that’s actually fantastic we require you to take classes
fantastic we require you to take classes
fantastic we require you to take classes in
in
in tree in English in science in art and
tree in English in science in art and
tree in English in science in art and this exposure is really valuable when
this exposure is really valuable when
this exposure is really valuable when students ask what is your favorite class
students ask what is your favorite class
students ask what is your favorite class to teach and I see a few of my students
to teach and I see a few of my students
to teach and I see a few of my students from different classes here so if you’re
from different classes here so if you’re
from different classes here so if you’re not in this class this is not anything
not in this class this is not anything
not in this class this is not anything about you in particular but I love
about you in particular but I love
about you in particular but I love teaching my non majors biology course
teaching my non majors biology course
teaching my non majors biology course you know when you have multiple kids you
you know when you have multiple kids you
you know when you have multiple kids you can’t really say which is your favorite
can’t really say which is your favorite
can’t really say which is your favorite but if there were only those students in
but if there were only those students in
but if there were only those students in the room I’d say biology in the
the room I’d say biology in the
the room I’d say biology in the environment is my favorite class to
environment is my favorite class to
environment is my favorite class to teach at Furman so who am i I’m a
teach at Furman so who am i I’m a
teach at Furman so who am i I’m a biology professor here at Furman I
biology professor here at Furman I
biology professor here at Furman I really like this meme because it allows
really like this meme because it allows
really like this meme because it allows me to kind of talk about what I think I
me to kind of talk about what I think I
me to kind of talk about what I think I do and reflect on maybe what other
do and reflect on maybe what other
do and reflect on maybe what other people think that I do what I think is
people think that I do what I think is
people think that I do what I think is even more important or more valuable in
even more important or more valuable in
even more important or more valuable in it is the fact that I’d like to think I
it is the fact that I’d like to think I
it is the fact that I’d like to think I do all of this in the sense that
do all of this in the sense that
do all of this in the sense that information decisions teaching our
information decisions teaching our
information decisions teaching our interactions with the world are much
interactions with the world are much
interactions with the world are much more compelling are much more
more compelling are much more
more compelling are much more interesting when we take different ideas
interesting when we take different ideas
interesting when we take different ideas and stack them together layering
and stack them together layering
and stack them together layering knowledge layering experiences layering
knowledge layering experiences layering
knowledge layering experiences layering layering ways forward ultimately allows
layering ways forward ultimately allows
layering ways forward ultimately allows us to better understand the real world
us to better understand the real world
us to better understand the real world and be productive citizens so let’s
and be productive citizens so let’s
and be productive citizens so let’s start with who everybody my family my
start with who everybody my family my
start with who everybody my family my friends my students who think that I
friends my students who think that I
friends my students who think that I really in that one that was in the top
really in that one that was in the top
really in that one that was in the top left-hand corner there I’m a burger I
left-hand corner there I’m a burger I
left-hand corner there I’m a burger I will freely admit some might even call
will freely admit some might even call
will freely admit some might even call me a bird nerd I have a life list I can
me a bird nerd I have a life list I can
me a bird nerd I have a life list I can I’ve identified travel the world scene
I’ve identified travel the world scene
I’ve identified travel the world scene over 500 different species I engage in
over 500 different species I engage in
over 500 different species I engage in competitions who can see the most number
competitions who can see the most number
competitions who can see the most number of birds in a day in a year my father
of birds in a day in a year my father
of birds in a day in a year my father and I have a running competition there I
and I have a running competition there I
and I have a running competition there I get excited passionate when other
get excited passionate when other
get excited passionate when other faculty members leave dead birds on my
faculty members leave dead birds on my
faculty members leave dead birds on my desk uh-uh it happened this week is
desk uh-uh it happened this week is
desk uh-uh it happened this week is fantastic it was a yellow yellow-bellied
fantastic it was a yellow yellow-bellied
fantastic it was a yellow yellow-bellied sapsucker and so but interacting with
sapsucker and so but interacting with
sapsucker and so but interacting with that is really really cool in the same
that is really really cool in the same
that is really really cool in the same way I’ll travel anywhere to see a
way I’ll travel anywhere to see a
way I’ll travel anywhere to see a vermilion flycatcher when Hurricane
vermilion flycatcher when Hurricane
vermilion flycatcher when Hurricane Katrina occurred in 20 it’s a 2003-2004
Katrina occurred in 20 it’s a 2003-2004
Katrina occurred in 20 it’s a 2003-2004 I was the only person driving south
I was the only person driving south
I was the only person driving south everyone was trying to escape I was
everyone was trying to escape I was
everyone was trying to escape I was trying to
trying to
trying to find that bird but it’s more than just
find that bird but it’s more than just
find that bird but it’s more than just finding a bird getting outside allows me
finding a bird getting outside allows me
finding a bird getting outside allows me to you know be in nature to appreciate
to you know be in nature to appreciate
to you know be in nature to appreciate that explore a new area and as a
that explore a new area and as a
that explore a new area and as a researcher to that inspiration for the
researcher to that inspiration for the
researcher to that inspiration for the next project teaching biology of the
next project teaching biology of the
next project teaching biology of the environment gives me the opportunity to
environment gives me the opportunity to
environment gives me the opportunity to share that passion with other students
share that passion with other students
share that passion with other students one thing I have the students do
one thing I have the students do
one thing I have the students do throughout the semester is we learn to
throughout the semester is we learn to
throughout the semester is we learn to identify a diversity of different
identify a diversity of different
identify a diversity of different species we do trees plants mammals
species we do trees plants mammals
species we do trees plants mammals reptiles amphibians by the end of the
reptiles amphibians by the end of the
reptiles amphibians by the end of the semester and they can identify a suite
semester and they can identify a suite
semester and they can identify a suite of birds by sight some by sound but
of birds by sight some by sound but
of birds by sight some by sound but ultimately my goal is when the students
ultimately my goal is when the students
ultimately my goal is when the students walk out of the class they can identify
walk out of the class they can identify
walk out of the class they can identify more birds than they can fashion brands
more birds than they can fashion brands
more birds than they can fashion brands which is really statics if you look
which is really statics if you look
which is really statics if you look through and you ask the average person
through and you ask the average person
through and you ask the average person if we did in this room how many brands
if we did in this room how many brands
if we did in this room how many brands clothing and how many companies can you
clothing and how many companies can you
clothing and how many companies can you name it’s probably more there than Birds
name it’s probably more there than Birds
name it’s probably more there than Birds and so that sometimes I feel is my
and so that sometimes I feel is my
and so that sometimes I feel is my crowning achievement in that class but
crowning achievement in that class but
crowning achievement in that class but it’s a pathway to understanding the
it’s a pathway to understanding the
it’s a pathway to understanding the diversity of life when you see that
diversity of life when you see that
diversity of life when you see that there’s 10,000 species of bird in the
there’s 10,000 species of bird in the
there’s 10,000 species of bird in the world it really opens the door that
world it really opens the door that
world it really opens the door that there’s a lot out there to explore it’s
there’s a lot out there to explore it’s
there’s a lot out there to explore it’s also a key intersection we start
also a key intersection we start
also a key intersection we start thinking big ideas and complex ideas and
thinking big ideas and complex ideas and
thinking big ideas and complex ideas and how do we communicate as scientists we
how do we communicate as scientists we
how do we communicate as scientists we are not always the most effective at
are not always the most effective at
are not always the most effective at communicating complex ideas I love this
communicating complex ideas I love this
communicating complex ideas I love this figure but if you’re a non-scientist it
figure but if you’re a non-scientist it
figure but if you’re a non-scientist it might not make any sense whatsoever a
might not make any sense whatsoever a
might not make any sense whatsoever a bunch of random line so I’ve really
bunch of random line so I’ve really
bunch of random line so I’ve really enjoyed in you know my non majors
enjoyed in you know my non majors
enjoyed in you know my non majors biology class learning from my students
biology class learning from my students
biology class learning from my students how to more effectively communicate
how to more effectively communicate
how to more effectively communicate complex ideas the idea of data
complex ideas the idea of data
complex ideas the idea of data visualization I think is a really
visualization I think is a really
visualization I think is a really important feel that intersects with
important feel that intersects with
important feel that intersects with biology and the idea of communicating
biology and the idea of communicating
biology and the idea of communicating and learning how to communicate across
and learning how to communicate across
and learning how to communicate across disciplines is key one if you’re a
disciplines is key one if you’re a
disciplines is key one if you’re a biologist you may go on to a bio you
biologist you may go on to a bio you
biologist you may go on to a bio you know career in biology but you’re going
know career in biology but you’re going
know career in biology but you’re going to have to communicate to non biologists
to have to communicate to non biologists
to have to communicate to non biologists so how do you learn those language that
so how do you learn those language that
so how do you learn those language that terminology and I think just as
terminology and I think just as
terminology and I think just as interestingly even though you’re a
interestingly even though you’re a
interestingly even though you’re a biologist in training the career you
biologist in training the career you
biologist in training the career you might end up in probably won’t be
might end up in probably won’t be
might end up in probably won’t be biology this is a nice figure that does
biology this is a nice figure that does
biology this is a nice figure that does not show up quite as nicely on our
not show up quite as nicely on our
not show up quite as nicely on our screen here but at each of these
screen here but at each of these
screen here but at each of these different lines comes from someone who
different lines comes from someone who
different lines comes from someone who graduate biology and the career that
graduate biology and the career that
graduate biology and the career that there had now and so you can see it’s
there had now and so you can see it’s
there had now and so you can see it’s everything from law
everything from law
everything from law to government business economics and
to government business economics and
to government business economics and what I think back to some of the recent
what I think back to some of the recent
what I think back to some of the recent graduates from furman and some of my
graduates from furman and some of my
graduates from furman and some of my peers most of us aren’t in a biology job
peers most of us aren’t in a biology job
peers most of us aren’t in a biology job we’re doing something different so we
we’re doing something different so we
we’re doing something different so we have to learn to communicate to multiple
have to learn to communicate to multiple
have to learn to communicate to multiple different audiences and it’s not just
different audiences and it’s not just
different audiences and it’s not just biologists if we took all the different
biologists if we took all the different
biologists if we took all the different majors which are on the left hand side
majors which are on the left hand side
majors which are on the left hand side of the figure so blue brown and green
of the figure so blue brown and green
of the figure so blue brown and green and then on the right side where those
and then on the right side where those
and then on the right side where those gray boxes are those are different
gray boxes are those are different
gray boxes are those are different careers it’s the intersection it’s the
careers it’s the intersection it’s the
careers it’s the intersection it’s the unexpected opportunities it’s the new
unexpected opportunities it’s the new
unexpected opportunities it’s the new ideas that you’re ultimately going to
ideas that you’re ultimately going to
ideas that you’re ultimately going to need to succeed in your career and so
need to succeed in your career and so
need to succeed in your career and so what I want to share or communicators
what I want to share or communicators
what I want to share or communicators this idea that you know look to those
this idea that you know look to those
this idea that you know look to those ger s look forward to your ger s as an
ger s look forward to your ger s as an
ger s look forward to your ger s as an opportunity to explore something new and
opportunity to explore something new and
opportunity to explore something new and I want to share how a couple of GE ours
I want to share how a couple of GE ours
I want to share how a couple of GE ours and you know classes outside a biology
and you know classes outside a biology
and you know classes outside a biology really shaped Who I am today one of
really shaped Who I am today one of
really shaped Who I am today one of those you know is you get the
those you know is you get the
those you know is you get the opportunity to maybe read different
opportunity to maybe read different
opportunity to maybe read different books on the road is a really important
books on the road is a really important
books on the road is a really important book for me and taught that there’s idea
book for me and taught that there’s idea
book for me and taught that there’s idea of exploration new opportunities go on a
of exploration new opportunities go on a
of exploration new opportunities go on a grand adventure and perhaps most
grand adventure and perhaps most
grand adventure and perhaps most importantly that all the prettiest girls
importantly that all the prettiest girls
importantly that all the prettiest girls are from Des Moines oh and if you think
are from Des Moines oh and if you think
are from Des Moines oh and if you think about forcing you to look at the world
about forcing you to look at the world
about forcing you to look at the world in a slightly different way you know
in a slightly different way you know
in a slightly different way you know starting from a bird’s eye view we’ve
starting from a bird’s eye view we’ve
starting from a bird’s eye view we’ve all heard that before is actually it
all heard that before is actually it
all heard that before is actually it really is a different way of looking and
really is a different way of looking and
really is a different way of looking and your G ers can prepare you if you’re a
your G ers can prepare you if you’re a
your G ers can prepare you if you’re a biologist or scientist to think about
biologist or scientist to think about
biologist or scientist to think about the complex issues before us today how
the complex issues before us today how
the complex issues before us today how as a bird biologist you know do I feel
as a bird biologist you know do I feel
as a bird biologist you know do I feel about immigration if I had just taken
about immigration if I had just taken
about immigration if I had just taken science courses I’d have a much newer or
science courses I’d have a much newer or
science courses I’d have a much newer or view of the world until through my GE
view of the world until through my GE
view of the world until through my GE ours those unexpected experiences I move
ours those unexpected experiences I move
ours those unexpected experiences I move from being just a bird biologist to try
from being just a bird biologist to try
from being just a bird biologist to try and understand farming in food systems
and understand farming in food systems
and understand farming in food systems when I had the opportunity to give this
when I had the opportunity to give this
when I had the opportunity to give this talk this is my favorite image I thought
talk this is my favorite image I thought
talk this is my favorite image I thought can I just talk about this for eight
can I just talk about this for eight
can I just talk about this for eight minutes probably could might not be as
minutes probably could might not be as
minutes probably could might not be as interesting but this represents six
interesting but this represents six
interesting but this represents six different food systems globally but
different food systems globally but
different food systems globally but what’s powerful here is we’re looking
what’s powerful here is we’re looking
what’s powerful here is we’re looking from that bird’s eye view and we think
from that bird’s eye view and we think
from that bird’s eye view and we think about the different layers that shape
about the different layers that shape
about the different layers that shape what we see its ecology which is
what we see its ecology which is
what we see its ecology which is what I do its history its culture its
what I do its history its culture its
what I do its history its culture its economics and understand these systems
economics and understand these systems
economics and understand these systems we have to be able to integrate all
we have to be able to integrate all
we have to be able to integrate all those complex ideas and you might ask
those complex ideas and you might ask
those complex ideas and you might ask you know why does a biologist who is
you know why does a biologist who is
you know why does a biologist who is interested in saving trees and wandering
interested in saving trees and wandering
interested in saving trees and wandering to find birds care about food again
to find birds care about food again
to find birds care about food again another poet a writer Wendell Berry from
another poet a writer Wendell Berry from
another poet a writer Wendell Berry from Kentucky perhaps that it best as part of
Kentucky perhaps that it best as part of
Kentucky perhaps that it best as part of a longer quote he essentially said
a longer quote he essentially said
a longer quote he essentially said conservationists eat and so if I want to
conservationists eat and so if I want to
conservationists eat and so if I want to save birds if I want to save trees I
save birds if I want to save trees I
save birds if I want to save trees I have to think about the food systems
food and culture are inextricably linked
food and culture are inextricably linked nature and culture I think we would all
nature and culture I think we would all
nature and culture I think we would all agree are our key and they go together
agree are our key and they go together
agree are our key and they go together however as much as I hate to admit it
however as much as I hate to admit it
however as much as I hate to admit it sometimes economics drives decision
sometimes economics drives decision
sometimes economics drives decision making how much something costs is going
making how much something costs is going
making how much something costs is going to shape what we do on a daily basis
to shape what we do on a daily basis
to shape what we do on a daily basis perhaps and when I you know reflecting
perhaps and when I you know reflecting
perhaps and when I you know reflecting back on again what exposed me to
back on again what exposed me to
back on again what exposed me to different ideas the way I got started in
different ideas the way I got started in
different ideas the way I got started in birding was birdie with my father you
birding was birdie with my father you
birding was birdie with my father you might think oh how exciting is that but
might think oh how exciting is that but
might think oh how exciting is that but when your father offers you and is
when your father offers you and is
when your father offers you and is willing to pay if we think of economic
willing to pay if we think of economic
willing to pay if we think of economic terms five dollars per bird to get you
terms five dollars per bird to get you
terms five dollars per bird to get you outside that’s a pretty good deal and so
outside that’s a pretty good deal and so
outside that’s a pretty good deal and so we’d run around the forest and every new
we’d run around the forest and every new
we’d run around the forest and every new bird I found for him he pull out a
bird I found for him he pull out a
bird I found for him he pull out a five-dollar bill and say here you go so
five-dollar bill and say here you go so
five-dollar bill and say here you go so we could think about economics as a
we could think about economics as a
we could think about economics as a driving factor in decision-making and in
driving factor in decision-making and in
driving factor in decision-making and in truth as a undergraduate student and as
truth as a undergraduate student and as
truth as a undergraduate student and as a graduate student I took just as about
a graduate student I took just as about
a graduate student I took just as about as many economics courses as i did
as many economics courses as i did
as many economics courses as i did biology I get more and more excited
biology I get more and more excited
biology I get more and more excited about how this particular field can
about how this particular field can
about how this particular field can inform and influence what I do and so my
inform and influence what I do and so my
inform and influence what I do and so my students and I and continue to do
students and I and continue to do
students and I and continue to do research across fields one of our
research across fields one of our
research across fields one of our projects that we particularly enjoy
projects that we particularly enjoy
projects that we particularly enjoy recently was we asked how much would
recently was we asked how much would
recently was we asked how much would Greenville County residents be willing
Greenville County residents be willing
Greenville County residents be willing to pay to save birds more specifically
to pay to save birds more specifically
to pay to save birds more specifically we asked how much would you be willing
we asked how much would you be willing
we asked how much would you be willing to pay to see a five percent increase in
to pay to see a five percent increase in
to pay to see a five percent increase in forest cover and how much would we how
forest cover and how much would we how
forest cover and how much would we how much would you be willing to pay in your
much would you be willing to pay in your
much would you be willing to pay in your taxes so we’re relatively conservative
taxes so we’re relatively conservative
taxes so we’re relatively conservative part of the country but one of the most
part of the country but one of the most
part of the country but one of the most surprising things was people were
surprising things was people were
surprising things was people were willing to pay almost twenty dollars per
willing to pay almost twenty dollars per
willing to pay almost twenty dollars per person oh
person oh
person oh per year for 10 years to see an increase
per year for 10 years to see an increase
per year for 10 years to see an increase in forest cover that gives me as a
in forest cover that gives me as a
in forest cover that gives me as a biologist a really powerful piece of
biologist a really powerful piece of
biologist a really powerful piece of information to go back and communicate
information to go back and communicate
information to go back and communicate more broadly we continue to work
more broadly we continue to work
more broadly we continue to work stacking different ideas thinking about
stacking different ideas thinking about
stacking different ideas thinking about different layers how do we add values
different layers how do we add values
different layers how do we add values we’re talking about carving we talked
we’re talking about carving we talked
we’re talking about carving we talked about water we talked about quality of
about water we talked about quality of
about water we talked about quality of life and ultimately we’re thinking about
life and ultimately we’re thinking about
life and ultimately we’re thinking about the real world as stacked knowledge and
the real world as stacked knowledge and
the real world as stacked knowledge and i am going to cheat here a little bit
i am going to cheat here a little bit
i am going to cheat here a little bit because it sounded so much better when i
because it sounded so much better when i
because it sounded so much better when i wrote it right so in the rear world in
wrote it right so in the rear world in
wrote it right so in the rear world in your career problems will be complex or
your career problems will be complex or
your career problems will be complex or even better wicked problems your g ers
even better wicked problems your g ers
even better wicked problems your g ers give you the ability to stack
give you the ability to stack
give you the ability to stack information whether it be ecology
information whether it be ecology
information whether it be ecology economics or you know whatever your
economics or you know whatever your
economics or you know whatever your particular passion is and more
particular passion is and more
particular passion is and more importantly your g ers give you kind of
importantly your g ers give you kind of
importantly your g ers give you kind of the freedom while you’re in college to
the freedom while you’re in college to
the freedom while you’re in college to explore to try something new to maybe go
explore to try something new to maybe go
explore to try something new to maybe go in a different direction and so I want
in a different direction and so I want
in a different direction and so I want to end with coming back to our quote
to end with coming back to our quote
to end with coming back to our quote here and suggest that you know I’ve been
here and suggest that you know I’ve been
here and suggest that you know I’ve been able to wander the world in search of
able to wander the world in search of
able to wander the world in search of life whether it’s bird by bird or ger by
life whether it’s bird by bird or ger by
life whether it’s bird by bird or ger by ger I’ve come to know the place i live
ger I’ve come to know the place i live
ger I’ve come to know the place i live and the people that I interact
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Music]
[Music] you
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