From field labs to the future: Warnell honors 2025 graduates

On a sunny May 9th afternoon at the Classic Center in Athens, a crowd of proud families, friends, faculty, and classmates gathered to celebrate a meaningful milestone: the next generation of Warnell alumni.

The Spring 2025 Convocation ceremony honored 97 graduates—62 undergraduates and 35 graduate students—each shaped by fieldwork, late nights, and a degree that opens doors—and sometimes even gates to remote sites.

“Today, you join a long line of remarkable alumni,” said Dean J. Todd Petty during his opening remarks. “Our students are the best people in the world, and I know that our graduates—you—are going to make a positive difference for the next generation.”

Among this accomplished class were two First Honor Graduates, Sarah Carnes and Ryan Testino, both of whom earned a perfect 4.0 GPA. In addition, 25 more undergraduates graduated with Latin honors—a clear reflection of the academic strength and dedication of this group.

Dean Petty closed his speech with three simple, powerful takeaways: “Remember your ‘why.’ Remember the power of your Warnell degree. And remember the next generation of students who will follow in your footsteps.”

The ceremony also featured heartfelt reflections from across the Warnell community.

Faculty speaker Dr. Sonia Hernandez, a Josiah Meigs Distinguished Professor of Wildlife Disease and Wildlife, expressed her pride in the graduates and framed her remarks around three lasting lessons: to embrace imagination, recognize the power of individual impact, and value connection.

“Everything that exists today was once only imagined,” she said, urging graduates to shape their futures with purpose—and to find clarity, when needed, in nature itself. Drawing on Jane Goodall’s work, Hernandez reminded the audience that individual actions matter deeply: “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”

In her final message, she offered a playful but poignant metaphor: “Don’t be a box turtle.” Unlike solitary turtles, she noted, humans thrive through connection. To drive the point home, graduates were invited to pass along a small, hand-painted watercolor heart—created by Dr. Hernandez and placed under their seats—to someone who had supported them on their journey.

Student speaker Sofia Monteiro, a Wildlife Sciences major and Warnell ambassador, delivered a speech that brought laughter, nostalgia, and a few misty eyes as she celebrated Warnell’s quirky, close-knit culture.

“A Warnell student could be anyone—a student covered in mud after their soils lab, teaching a child about a snake at Day on the Lawn, or even someone stress-eating Cheez-Its in the lounge before an exam,” she said. “We are all united by our passions, and it is this passion that we use to inspire each other to make the world a better place.”

She also spoke to the academic and personal growth fostered by the Warnell experience. “What we learned at Warnell is just a leaf on the tree of life,” she said. “The classes here planted the seeds of passion and foundational roots we needed to grow into who we are meant to be.”

Monteiro reflected on the unique relationships formed—not only among students, but with the faculty and staff who, as she put it, made them feel “seen, supported, and occasionally roasted.”

Her remarks drew knowing laughs as she recalled muddy field labs, long battles with ArcGIS and R Studio, and the sacred act of turning in papers at 11:58 p.m.—moments that bonded classmates and shaped their journeys.

As her speech came to a close, Monteiro looked ahead—to careers in natural resources, further education, and the unknown beyond. But no matter the path, she reminded her peers, “We will always carry a part of Warnell with us.”

Alumni speaker Dr. Yenie Tran Smith (PhD '15) shared her personal journey and professional insights, encouraging graduates to explore their abilities, affinities, and advantages.

“It was at Warnell where I gained skills and experiences that profoundly shaped my career—including how to convince people that forestry statistics are fascinating,” she said. “You’re joining a distinguished group of alumni, and I am excited for the journey that awaits you.”

Reflecting on her own path, Smith emphasized the value of persistence and adaptability. She shared that failure is often part of the process, but every setback can be a setup for a comeback. Drawing on her early career challenges, she encouraged graduates to keep learning, seek mentors, and think creatively. “If life gives you lemons, maybe turn them into a profitable agroforestry venture,” she joked.

As graduates step into this next phase, Smith urged them to take pride in their accomplishments and stay connected with their peers, faculty, and the broader Warnell community. With a mix of applause and Go Dawgs cheers, the graduates crossed the stage and into their next chapters. Some are heading into state agencies or industry opportunities, others pursuing research and advanced studies—but all carry with them the foundation laid at Warnell. As the doors opened and the room cleared, one thing was certain: the Warnell family just got a little bigger—and a lot more inspiring.

View the full gallery of Spring 2025 Convocation photos.