In this recorded talk from our annual Baccalaureate Service, Dr. Rick Lindroth shares insights on the importance of education, the legacy of the Morrill Act, and the essential practices for human flourishing. He emphasizes the significance of lifelong learning, emotional intelligence, perseverance, and community building, while also addressing the urgent need for environmental stewardship.

Dr. Rick Lindroth is a Distinguished Fellow of the Lumen Center. He is also a Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor of Ecology (emeritus) and former Associate Dean for Research at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Dr. Lindroth’s research focused on ecology (including global change) of forest ecosystems. He taught courses in ecology and ecotoxicology. As Associate Dean for Research, he functioned as Chief Research Officer for the UW College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, with a ~$100 million/year research portfolio. He has been a Fulbright Fellow and is an elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the Ecological Society of America, the Entomological Society of America, and the American Scientific Affiliation. Dr. Lindroth has authored/coauthored ~250 scientific articles and mentored hundreds of undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral students.

Currently, Dr. Lindroth speaks and writes to public and faith-based groups about environmental stewardship, climate change, biodiversity, and science denialism/communication. He has been interviewed for numerous podcasts and news outlets and profiled in The Washington Post and – most impressively – Trout magazine!

View Rick's slides!

This event was recorded live from Upper House on May 9, 2025.

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Upper House Commons gathers the university community for spiritual, intellectual, and vocational formation.

We explore big ideas and engage in conversations that matter within arts and humanities, justice and society, leadership and vocation, science and technology, spiritual formation, and theology. Whether you are a student or faculty member at UW–Madison or beyond, working in the marketplace, or serving in the church, we see you as part of our university community. Gather with us for one of our programs —our “commons”— each a pasture for shared spiritual, intellectual, and vocational formation.

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