Utah State TODAY shared a highlight last week on the difference a Uintah Basin mentor made for one particular student. The article states that prior to enrolling at Utah State University Uintah Basin, David Baird admits he was a bit of a lost wanderer but he found his spark that led to a fulfilling career after speaking with mentor Dr. Rich Etchberger. “Dr. E convinced me that I was smart enough to get a degree and that the students in his program were guys just like me — who loved the outdoors and wanted to do what they love,” Baird said. “This conversation changed the course of my life.” That pivotal conversation led Baird to immerse himself in the wildlife science program, where he discovered a newfound appreciation for education. He also had the opportunity to perform undergraduate research. He received multiple awards for his research, including several Undergraduate Researcher of the Year awards. His success also opened up the doors to his first post-graduation job at the Bureau of Land Management. Read the entire highlight on USU.edu/Today.
