Yale Bulletin and Calendar

November 15-22, 1999

Volume 28, Number 13

James Gustave ("Gus") Speth

Environmental Law Institute lauds Speth

The Environmental Law Institute (ELI) recently presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to James Gustave ("Gus") Speth, dean of the School of Forestry & Environmental Studies.

Speth received the award before an audience of about 1,000 environmental lawyers and others who gathered Oct. 26 in Washington, D.C. for the ELI's annual awards dinner.

Before coming to Yale this fall, Speth was administrator of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the U.N.'s principal arm for the funding and coordination of technical assistance and development. He previously served as founder and president of the World Resources Institute, a center for policy research and technical assistance on environmental and development issues; chair of President Carter's Council on Environmental Quality; and cofounder of and senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council, a group that advocates for environmental protection.

"With every step in his career, Gus Speth has built a lasting legacy," read the ELI award citation, noting that, as adminstrator of the UNDP, Speth "reached the highest position ever attained by an environmental lawyer." The citation added that ELI congratulated Speth "for a career devoted to creating and invigorating key institutions that have made environmental law the vital force it is today."

Speth was also congratulated by President Bill Clinton and Kofi Annan, secretary-general of the United Nations, in letters that appeared in the program for the ELI awards dinner.

In his message, Clinton said, "I commend Gus and the members of the Institute for your long-standing dedication to environmental stewardship -- you are helping to protect our planet's health and beauty for the benefit of generations to come."

Annan wrote that, as UNDP administrator, "Gus advanced a vision of truly sustainable development, centred on the real-life experience of human beings. And he worked tirelessly to translate this concept into concrete and concerted action ....

"In short," continued Annan, "he was one of the United Nations' most effective and articulate leaders. We already miss him badly. Yale is lucky to have him. ..."

The nation's largest environmental law association, ELI has for 30 years played an important role in shaping the fields of environmental law, management and policy. Previous winners of its Lifetime Achievement Award include John H. Chafee, Morris and Stewart Udall, Edmund S. Muskie, Russell Train and Lady Bird Johnson.

T H I SW E E K ' SS T O R I E S

Bulldogs gear up for 'The Game'

Donoghue, biodiversity expert, will join EEB

Study proves aspirin alone prevents future heart attacks

Academy of the Arts pays tribute to Stern

Environmental Law Institute lauds Speth

Yale moves forward with biomedical engineering program

Columbia's Chase named deputy dean of medical education

Endowed Professorships

Nobel Peace Prize winner to take part in discussion of East Timor

Veteran White House correspondent to give Poynter Lecture

Long history of legends surrounds 'The Game'

Yale, Harvard Glee Clubs mark century of making harmony on eve of 'The Game'

Study reveals why 'Lonesome George' snubs potential mates

Noted alumnus describes 'dramatic' changes in the world of sports

Architect Libeskind tells how he conveyed 'the real' and 'the invisible' in new . . .

Bone loss from steroid use is easily preventable, says Insogna

Medical school auction to benefit homelessness, hunger programs

People with OCD can find support in group therapy

Annual tour will showcase area hotel accommodations

Yale affiliates to present talks off campus

Event offers tips on how to have tough discussions

. . In the News . . .