【時報訊】聖路易密蘇里植物園園長Peter Raven博士日前正式宣佈退休，植物園董事會決定聘請愛爾蘭國家植物園園長Peter Wyse Jackson博士接任。
1936年中國上海出生、畢業於洛杉磯加州大學UCLA、獲得植物學博士學位的Peter Raven博士是全世界植物學界之翹楚，獲獎無數，貢獻良多，除了是美國科學院院士之外，他更是中國科學院外籍院士。35歲時接任密蘇里植物園園長，Raven博士將植物園帶入全美第一、世界頂尖之地位。與中國特有情緣，Raven博士與植物園自1987年開始致力中國植物誌之編寫，內含七萬一千五百種中國植物品種，預計2012年完成這項巨大工程。
Raven博士在1980年代即認識Peter Wyse Jackson博士，在這次選任接任人選作業中，Raven博士參與其中，並樂於見到Wyse Jackson博士能擔任園長一職。Raven博士將繼續擔任植物「榮譽園長」到2011年7月，以便協助新的園長順利接掌植物園。
Peter Wyse Jackson博士將於今年9月1日上任。
Changing of the Guard at Missouri Botanical Garden
Dr. Peter Raven, the director of the Missouri Botanical Garden, announced in February 2010 that he is retiring.
The garden's board of directors has hired Dr. Peter Wyse Jackson, director of the National Botanic Gardens of Ireland, in Dublin, to take the reins.
Raven may not be a household name, but he's a celebrity in botanical circles, the recipient of bushels of awards including the U.S. Medal of Science and a lecturer on biodiversity who racks up many thousands of frequent flier miles every year. Raven took the helm of the garden four whole decades ago -- at the age of 35! -- and has funneled millions and millions of dollars its way ever since.
Garden staff called to a meeting learned of his retirement today and honored him with a standing ovation as he took the podium.
"Dr. Raven explained the transition period," says spokeswoman Karen Hagenow. "He was an integral part in the selection process and he let us know that, and he's very pleased with the choice [of Dr. Wyse Jackson]. He's known Dr. Wyse Jackson since the 1980s and is quite acquainted with him. So it's bittersweet."
Raven will stay on as "president emeritus" through mid-2011 to help the new director, who arrives September 1 this year, get acclimated.
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