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Special Awards Recognize Graduates

Two Duke graduates received special awards during 2002 Nicholas School spring recognition ceremonies held during graduation weekend in May.

Daniel Edwards Lyons, a student in the coastal environmental management program, received the Virlis L. Fischer Award during the recognition ceremony for graduates of the Nicholas School professional program. The award, which is presented each year to the graduating professional student with the highest academic achievement, is given by Bernice Fischer in memory of her husband, who dedicated his life to the advocacy and wise use of natural resouces, especially forests. He was a member of the Board of Visitors of the School of Forestry and a fellow in the Society of American Foresters.

Daniel Lyons with former dean Norman Christensen

A native of Stamford, Conn., Lyons graduated with a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from Princeton University in 1992. This spring, he received a joint Master of Environmental Management degree from Duke and an Urban and Regional Planning degree from the University of North Carolina. At the Nicholas School, he was a Stanback Fellow with the Conservation Trust of North Carolina, and he received both a Sea Grant Fellowship and a Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship.

Division Head Peter Haff and David Geier

David Geier, who received a bachelor of science in earth and ocean sciences, was awarded the Thomas V. Laska award during ceremonies for earth and ocean sciences undergraduates. The award is given by the EOS faculty to the most outstanding senior major. The recipient receives a Brunton Compass and his name on a plaque in the EOS divisional office. The award was endowed in the early 1970s by Andy and Vera Laska in memory of their son, who was a geology major at Duke.

Kathryn S. Fuller, president and chief executive officer of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) since 1989, was guest speaker at the 2002 Recognition Ceremony at the Nicholas School. Introduced by Nicholas Board of Visitors member, Marshall Field V, she spoke on “Our Living Planet.”

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