Greetings from the Botany Department at UW-Madison!
I walk through the Botany Garden every day as I approach Birge Hall from the University Avenue bus stop. Today, the Newton apple tree was in full bloom. Almost a quarter century has passed since the Chair of Physics and I, as the then Chair of Botany, planted that much smaller sapling in its showcase setting, appropriately halfway between the worlds of physics and plants.
Much has transpired in those years that has made Botany one of the leading departments worldwide in the study of everything botanical – and many of you have been instrumental in that success, so thank you! As I officially retire in 10 days as both Chair and Professor from this great department, let me capture the highlights of the past year and point you towards important developments on the horizon.
Key Highlights from 2024-2025
Faculty Retirements and Replacements
Tom Givnish, a leading international scholar in plant ecology, phylogenomics, and evolution, retired at the end of December. His incredible legacy in the Botany Department in research, teaching, and service was on full display at a Festschrift in Birge Hall last weekend at which dozens of former colleagues, students, and friends from around the world paid tribute to Tom’s achievements. We are now in the final stages of filling his and my positions for the coming academic year.
New Director of the Botany Greenhouse and Garden!
I am pleased to announce that our own Cara Streekstra has just accepted the Associate Museum Directorship of the Botany Greenhouse and Garden. We look forward to her forward-looking leadership in this important role.
New Chair of Botany!
In the coming years you will be hearing from Anne Pringle, the next Chair of Botany. Anne, an internationally recognized teacher and researcher in mycology, brings her visionary style of leadership to this position and I leave you all in good hands!
Looking to the Future
The anticipated merger with Integrative Biology and the creation of the new Department of Biology within the College of L&S took its first steps this spring with the approval by the college. The continuation and enhancement of plant focused teaching and research is ensured by the departmental organizational structure and the new Center for Botanical Research. Our Botany undergraduate and graduate programs remain strong as before and are still supported by all of your generous contributions and endowments. Please contact Anne Pringle if you want to support this journey with us as we continue to grow and evolve and bring new and exciting collaborative plant biology efforts in research, teaching, and outreach. Your support can be directed to botanical teaching or research endeavors and to the research mission of the Center for Botanical Research.
Stay connected with us, and for the latest news and events and how you can support our programs, follow us on social media or visit our department website.
Best regards,
Dr. Kenneth Sytsma
Chair, Department of Botany
University of Wisconsin-Madison