Tom Cech retires, Nona Shipman to lead the OWOW Center
It is a hard thing to say "goodbye" to Tom Cech but we feel extremely grateful to have had his leadership, guidance, and knowledge at the OWOW Center since 2011. “It's been a wonderful journey with all of the students, faculty, and staff at MSU Denver. It is a very special place, and I will miss many good friends and colleagues," Tom said when he announced his retirement in November. His last day will be December 31, 2021. Until then, you can send congratulations and well wishes to him at his MSU Denver email address.
Nona Shipman has been with the OWOW Center since 2013, and most recently has served as Associate Director. She will serve as Co-Director with Jennifer Riley-Chetwynd of Denver Botanic Gardens beginning in 2022. Nona brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to the world of water in Colorado. She grew up in the Washington, D.C. area and received a Bachelor's Degree in Communications & Marketing from University of Lynchburg, and then a Master's Degree from the Miami University in Biological Sciences. In 2012, Nona worked as an AmeriCorps VISTA with Water Education Colorado. It was while serving at a VISTA that Nona met Tom Cech, and the rest is history.
Nona, alongside Jennifer Riley-Chetwynd and Hope Bartlett, will lead the OWOW Center into its next decade of promoting the water studies minor, certificate, and online water studies certificate at MSU Denver, as well as continuing to promote water stewardship on and beyond the Auraria Campus.
