Pathologically Genuine VIII. Giving me a Taste of Something Fine

I eventually did “join the dark side” — but without Darth Vader’s power or wardrobe and as an autistic empath, I couldn't be that mean. I can also assure you that I could never tolerate the costume

I was so honored to be recognized (especially as a late diagnosed autistic person) as one of two distinguished alumni by the Yale School of the Environment (YES) on Saturday (10/25/2025) at their 125th reunion allowing me to join a small group that is a “whose who” of people who made major contributions to the health and science of the environment at the countries oldest forestry school started by Gifford Pinchot. I mean, I never thought that anyone would have Aldo Leopold and me on the same short list.

As Jackson Browne sang about something in his life that “gave him just a taste of something fine.” There isn’t my normal humor in this post (but there is in the script of my talk you can access below).

I felt like an imposter when I got to the stage to give my talk. But, I learned on Saturday that it was not a joke and that others felt I truly deserved the recognition

In my 20 minute talk, I discussed how meaning has changed for me over time. You can watch and listen to the talk here. It was perhaps the best received presentation I ever made. But, I do say “Um” and “uh” way too much.

🗝️ A Research phase where meaning came from research and discovery that began because of a great professor, Steve Scheckler, at Virginia Tech, and was launched by the incredible PhD program at YES.

🗝️ An administrative phase (where I joined the dark side (but without Darth Vader’s power or wardrobe and as an autistic empath, I couldn’t be that mean. I can also assure you that I could never tolerate the costume), where meaning came from helping others and organizations succeed- these first two phases were recognized by being elected as a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and in implementing structures to help students succeed.

🗝️ A return to teaching phase, the most meaningful time of my career, where I find meaning facilitating a student body at University of North Carolina at Greensboro, that is over 60% Pell eligible; over 50% first generation: and over 40% transfer, mostly from community colleges, to transition to successful and meaningful lives (how ever they determine meaning and success). And that was recognized by UNCG’s student government when they made me, by surprise, their sole nominee last year for the UNC System’s William Friday Lifetime achievement award for serving students

🗝️ An an advocacy phase where I work to support autistic people and write about my experiences, and to bring my experience in supporting students and being neurodiverse at the national level with my appointment last year to National Science Foundation (NSF)‘s Committee on Equal Opportunity in Science and Engineering.

The recognition at Yale allowed me to tie all of these phases into an 18-minute story. I felt lucky to have a chance to reflect and share.

I am a late-diagnosed autistic person and I serve on the board and volunteer as part of pet therapy team with my dog, Brea at Lionheart Academy of the Triad.

I learned from my volunteering that it is important for people who are high functioning autistic people to be willing to be a role model for younger people who aren’t sure how to navigate society as autistic people.

So, that is one reason to write such a post that is largely shameless self promotion. And, because you won’t be hearing this stuff from UNCG.

​You can see the slides and the script here, though I didn’t follow the script completely. My career has definitely been a journey. But, it would never have happened without Yale and my co-advisor from the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Clive Jones. Here is the original news release.

I am so grateful.