EREN Remembers Dr. Carolyn Thomas

Dr. Carolyn Thomas passed away on January 14, 2020 after a valiant battle with cancer. Carolyn and her loving husband Dr. Bob Pohlad have been enthusiastic, steadfast supporters of EREN’s work from its inception as a concept in 2008 to its current state as a network of over 300 ecologists. Carolyn and Bob served as senior personnel on the grant that created EREN in 2010 and were part of its Leadership Team through 2016. Carolyn, along with colleague Dr. Tracy Gartner, spearheaded one of EREN’s first collaborative projects, comparing leaf decomposition between native and invasive plants in both aquatic and terrestrial environments. Even in retirement, Carolyn continued to serve EREN as an elected member of the Board of Directors. Carolyn exuded a positive attitude in the face of every difficulty and a dedication to excellence in ecological science and undergraduate education that everyone found inspiring. If you wish to remember Carolyn, the Thomas and Pohlad families request individuals make a gift to the Carolyn Thomas Memorial Fund at Ferrum College. Donations will support students in the College’s Division of Natural Sciences at: http://bit.ly/CarolynThomasFund