Yale Bulletin and Calendar

October 5, 2007|Volume 36, Number 5

Carl W. Knobloch Jr.

Alumnus’ gift supports ‘critical’ work at F&ES

Carl W. Knobloch Jr. ’51 has endowed the deanship of the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies (F&ES) with a gift that University officials describe as both a vote of confidence in the school’s mission and a generous contribution to the Yale Tomorrow campaign.

“My wife, Emily, and I consider F&ES to be the number one school of its kind in the world,” says Knobloch, a Wyoming-based businessman and philanthropist, who founded and chairs the West Hill Foundation for Nature, a non-profit corporation that supports environmental projects.

“The preservation of our natural ecosystems is critical to the continued economic strength of our country, as well as the health of all Americans,” says Knobloch. “There is an impending crisis in the degradation of the world’s environment, which we must prevent for the sake of our children and their children. F&ES is the finest training ground for those who will forge the way.”

James Gustave Speth, who has led F&ES for the past eight years, has been appointed as the inaugural Carl W. Knobloch Jr. Dean.

“I am deeply honored to be the first to hold the Knobloch Deanship,” says Speth. “Never has the need for enlightened stewardship of our natural resources been so urgent. At Yale, and in his efforts to save the land, Carl is providing outstanding leadership.”

James Gustave Speth

During his tenure, Speth has played a key role in elevating national and international awareness of the world’s most pressing climate issues. He has been credited as well with shepherding F&ES in a process of major change and expansion.

“Gus is just as good as you can get as the head of this great school,” Knobloch says.

President Richard C. Levin said: “The deanship will stand as a permanent tribute to Mr. Knobloch and his exceptional commitment both to F&ES and its mission of safeguarding the health, integrity and beauty of the natural world. We are also thrilled to be able to honor Gus and his extraordinary vision, dedication and accomplishments in this way.”

As a founder of both the Natural Resources Defense Council and of the World Resources Institute, Speth has held a number of influential posts, which include heading the United Nations Development Program and chairing President Carter’s Council on Environmental Quality. In addition to numerous articles, his latest book, “Red Sky at Morning: America and the Crisis of the Global Environment,” has been widely hailed.

Knobloch also contributed funding to F&ES in 2005 to create the Emily and Carl Knobloch Environment Center. The center will be the premier gathering place for environmental activities at the University and will be located in Kroon Hall, the new sustainable building that will house the school as it continues to expand in size and function.

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