__________________________________________________ The Online Newsletter of the Board on International Scientific Organizations Issue #18, Spring/Summer 2007 June 15, 2007 Dear Colleagues: Most of readers of BISO News know that I have resigned my position as Director of BISO and have relocated to my hometown of Fort Collins, Colorado. I want to thank you all for your kind sentiments and the well-wishes you have sent my way. I have been at the NAS for more than 28 years. I began working with the Board on Science and Technology for International Development (BOSTID). I was somewhat of a utility infielder and worked as a librarian, an archivist, and an information manager and editor. While visiting BOSTID’s overseas offices to work with our partner scientists and librarians, I served as a publication and outreach specialist. By attaining a generous grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York, I was able to help build science and technology networks in sub-Saharan Africa, introducing technologies that would lead to improved access to the internet. Ten years ago, I became the director of what is now BISO. As a hard-working team, the BISO staff has been the face of the NAS at numerous scientific congresses, general assemblies, world summits, and international workshops in every corner of the planet. In these past 28 years, I have visited 50 countries and have friends in many more. I have dined with princesses, spoken with heads of state, explored coral reefs with Nobel Laureates, and traveled with presidents of numerous Academies of science and engineering. I have worked with some of the smartest, most dedicated, generous, and peace-loving people in the world. It has been a fine ride and one that I would not exchange for anything. I am leaving BISO in good hands. My deputy, Kathie Bailey Mathae, has accepted the director’s position and you can read more about her background here.
I want to thank everyone who has been a part of my NAS life, especially Pam Gamble, with whom I have worked for 20 years, and the rest of the BISO staff. You are all terrific and I will miss you! Thank you. Wendy D. White
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