It didn’t take long for my colleagues in the Michigan State University Extension director’s office to compare notes and realize that their letter of offer included the phrase “… and other duties as assigned.” That clause has been the subject of some well-intentioned joking and well-deserved ribbing. “Other duties as assigned” applies far more frequently than any of them anticipated. Of course the problem is that my colleagues routinely OFFER to take on one of those “other duties”, like chairing an ad hoc committee, writing a position paper or providing leadership for a new initiative.
From my first year in the director’s office, one of those “other duties” people has been Larry Olsen. Early on, Dr. Olsen agreed to leave his post with the MSU Department of Entomology to serve as interim state leader for agriculture. Later, he applied for, and was appointed as the state leader without the interim modifier. We have benefited from his leadership, insight and tremendous work ethic over the past four years, not only in providing leadership for our agriculture Extension programs, but also in taking on local, statewide and national duties. He is the ultimate team player.
About six weeks ago, Dr. Ernest DelFosse, Entomology chair, asked Dr. Olsen to return to his home department to serve as associate department chair. After benefitting from Dr. Olsen’s leadership for four years, it was hard for me to accept that he would leave that role. At the same time, I realized that after all he’s done for MSUE, I need to honor the move that he felt compelled to make at this point in his career. In effect, it was time for me to share Dr. Olsen’s contributions with his home department rather than sequester them for MSUE. And in all honesty, the decision wasn’t really mine to make—it was Dr. Olsen’s.
Dr. Olsen officially began serving as associate chair of Entomology on February 1 and ended his role as MSUE state leader for agriculture on that date. Those of you who have interacted with Dr. Olsen will likely continue to see him at conferences and meetings that involve Integrated Pest Management (IPM), pesticide safety, and more general work related to plant protection.
So I want to say publicly how much I appreciate Dr. Olsen’s work on behalf of MSUE these past four years (and before that as an Extension Specialist), and how much I respect his integrity and commitment to this university. Besides, the truth is that we’ll continue to benefit from his leadership in our IPM program and our Pesticide Applicator Safety program. And wherever he is assigned, I’m confident that Dr. Olsen’s going to find himself doing what he’s done here for four years—contributing considerably to many “other duties as assigned.” Thanks, Larry!
Dear Dr. Coon,
I am a retired MSU staff person (NWMI Horticultural Research Station, Traverse City).
I want you to know about a wonderful response to your plea for assistance to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. Your article caught my attention, and I forwarded it to my friend Jeff Tibbits. Before I could catch my breath he had swung into action, called the tribe, and started making arrangements for a collection. I thought about candles and went to the local Candle Factory, explained the situation to the owner, and she donated a generous supply of large, fat, waxless, odorless white candles.
Yesterday Jeff and I boxed up the donations. Jeff, himself a diabetic, donated $600 worth of diabetic supplies. Here’s his tally:
Here’s the final tally on what the Potter’s House with the help of its friends, Grace Episcopal Church members, and you accomplished in just one week’s time to help the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe’s 2010 Disaster Account and Ice Storm Emergency Supplies:
Total # boxes shipped to the CRST: 11
Total Gross Weight of 11 Boxes of Donated Emergency and Medical Supplies Shipped: 117.23 pounds
(diabetic supplies: 425 test strips, 1 glucose meter, 420 lancets, 200 alcohol swipes, 200 sugar tabs = $600+ retail value)
(quilts and blankets, winter clothing, handi-wipes, various baby and canned food items, 40+ pounds of candles, 50+ batteries,
several boxes of tissues, personal hygiene items: soaps, shampoos, hand creams, several tubes of toothpaste and tooth brushes, children’s and adult OTC medicines, etc = approximate retail value of $500).
Total Shipping Costs Incurred: $160.71 (this equals $1.37/lb or just 8.57 cents/ounce for shipping costs–not too bad!).
The Potter’s House Check Donated to the CRST 2010 Disaster Relief Fund = $160 Thank you, contributors!
Grace Episcopal Church’s Check Donated to the CRST 2010 Disaster Relief Fund = $150 Thank you, Grace Episcopal friends!
GRAND TOTAL VALUE OF GOODS AND CASH DONATIONS TO CRST FROM THE POTTER’S HOUSE AND GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCHES: $ 1570+ (this figure excludes the value of the packing and shipping materials, the value of the time, gas, mileage, and services of those who ran errands, recruited donations from local companies, and packaged and shipped these items).
Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Alison! You are truly God’s angel here on earth : ).
And thank you PH and Grace Church members and the Rev. Daniel Richards for your very generous contributions and support!
The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe leaders and tribal members want me to extend to you their heartfelt thanks and gratitude for the generous support we have offered them during their tribe’s time of need. May God blessings be with them in this emergency and with you for your acts of loving kindness.
Very gratefully yours, your friend in Christ,
Jeff Tibbits
tibby@mtneer.net
Deacon and Financial Director
The Potter’s House Church
United Church of Christ
P.O. Box 4113
Traverse City, MI 49684
Res: 321.922.0446
Cell: 517.281.0308
I thought you should have this report to remind the powers that be that MSU Extension is important in very many significant ways.
Best regards,
Alison