CHARLES CREIGH
Chair DRI Research Foundation, Principal NewMarket Advisors
John H. O. La Gatta( center) at the 2015 DRI Nevada Medal with Former Nevada Governor’ s Bob Miller( far left), Richard Bryan( right), Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval( left), DRI President Dr. Stephen G. Wells( far right), and 2015 DRI Nevada Medalist Dr. Chris McKay( back).
my pleasure to report to you on the DRI Research Foundation’ s activities during FY 2015. The year was a great success in terms
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of both fundraising and outreach to promote the unique and critical mission of DRI.
Over 1,000 people representing all sectors of the community came together as we celebrated our 28th annual DRI Nevada Medal Dinner events— DRI’ s premiere public engagement event, honoring the scientific achievements of Dr. Chris McKay, NASA Planetary Scientist. Led by presenting sponsor Switch, and thanks to the generosity of many individual, corporate, and Foundation supporters, the events drew record crowds in both Reno and Las Vegas and generated over $ 370,000 in revenue.
As part of our Global Water Knowledge Campaign the Foundation was proud to play a lead role in securing the necessary funding and supporting DRI in establishing the Joint International Research Laboratory of Global Change and Water Cycle with China’ s Hohai University. The lab is providing critical direct and indirect research, education, training, and collaboration on water related issues in China and beyond.
As part of the Foundation’ s outreach efforts, grants funds were also raised to support DRI’ s STEAM( Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) education outreach program— GreenPower. With support from many prominent organizations such as NV Energy, Keyser Foundation and Sempra, GreenPower has increased its capacity and is delivering STEAM education to hundreds of schools and thousands of students throughout Nevada.
It was with great sadness that the DRI community said goodbye to DRI Foundation Trustee, Mr. John H. O. La Gatta in 2015. Serving on the Foundation Board of Trustees for over a decade, La Gatta’ s commitment and deep passion for education and the environment made a profound difference at DRI. In 1997, he created the Catamount Fund non-profit, which has since supported numerous education, art, and science initiatives and organizations across Nevada— including those at DRI. La Gatta not only served as a devoted DRI Foundation Trustee, but also opened his home in Reno annually to DRI Foundation events and community gatherings to celebrate his passion for education, art and science. He will be greatly missed.
I am also proud to announce that we have welcomed six new trustees to the Foundation Board this year. These extremely talented and influential leaders bring skills and experience to our Board in marketing, politics, research administration, management and much more.
For over 25 years, the Foundation Trustees have worked with DRI benefactors to support environmental science research aimed at improving people’ s lives throughout Nevada, the nation and the world.
I would like to thank our generous donors and all of you who took the time to attend DRI’ s events during the past year and engage with our faculty and students. Your time is greatly appreciated and you have our sincere appreciation for everything you do for DRI.
Sincerely,
CHARLES CREIGH, CHAIR, DRI RESEARCH FOUNDATION
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