Pete Weigl Guestbook

Congratulations, Dr. Weigl! My fondest memories of Wake Forest (class of 81) are of listening to frog calls on tape at high volume in New Dorm, and almost being arrested while trying to identify sparrows with binoculuars (for real) at the same. You and the other biology professors were the most important influence on my decision to become a biologist as well and teach students that if they just answer "counter-current exchange" on the exam everything will turn out just fine. Cheers!

— Jim Groome
June 15, 2009 - 06:46 PM

Dr. Weigl: Like so many others I want to offer my congratulations on your remarkable career at WFU and my best wishes on your retirement (although I imagine you will find something worthy of your time). The trips you led to Roan Mountain and the coastal areas of North Carolina not only helped your students gain an appreciation for the natural world but helped to form friendships that have lasted for decades. I would imagine there are many students, like myself, that were successful at WFU because of the supportive relationships formed during these excursions.
There are three things I would like to thank you for on a personal level. First of all for recognizing the central role my faith played in making me the person I was while at Wake. You never questioned the possibility that a person could be both a Christian and a scientist. Your trust in that regard meant a lot to me then as it does now. I also want to thank you for the importance you placed on your role as a teacher. Throughout the years I have heard many students at other universities complain because their professors were primarily concerned about their research and teaching was only a secondary concern. I don't know what it was like in other deparments at Wake but I know I had several TEACHERS in the biology Department. You were one of the best. Finally I just want to thank you for being a friend to so many of us. Many times while I was a grad student and many more times since, you were more than willing to just sit and talk. Thanks for taking the time to get to know us as individuals and to always make us feel welcome in your class, your office, and in your home.
Again, good luck. You have been an inspiration to many and a friend to all.

Richard Thomas

— Richard Thomas
June 15, 2009 - 07:44 AM

Congratulations on your 'retirement' Pete! Many of my most cherished Wake Forest memories come from our Roan Mountain and coastal field trips we shared together catching flying squirrels, salamanders and snakes. As a member of my M.S. and Ph.D. committees you were also an exceptional mentor and friend. You will be proud to know that your influence has spread into Canada; classic Weiglisms such as 'Gird up your loins' and 'Gag and vomit" have been expressed on many of my field trips! I trust that a trip to Vancouver Island will become part of your retirement plans.

— Tim Goater
June 11, 2009 - 11:17 AM

Congratulations on a truly wonderful career. I have so many wonderful memories from my years as a graduate student at Wake Forest. I never had the privilege of taking one of your courses, or working with you, but I have always been grateful for the way that you encouraged and supported me in those years as if I was "one of your own".
Best Wishes, Cheryl

— Cheryl Davis
June 11, 2009 - 10:33 AM

Dear Pete,

A shocking anniversary: This fall marks thirty years since I first stared at that pickled, fecund termite queen -- and other evidences of reproductive prowess! -- in your population biology class. As an introduction to ecology for a rural kid straight out of Spearfish -- I mean Patrick County -- High, the experience was nothing less than stunning. Thanks for a wonderful career of humane mentorship. Perhaps the best lesson I learned from you is that passion for science is, first and foremost, a matter of asking interesting questions. Congratulations, and enjoy your "retirement."

Travis Knowles
B.A. '82, M.S. '88

— Travis Knowles
June 10, 2009 - 08:58 AM

Dear Pete: It was with great pleasure that I read your biography and about your retirement in the WF Magazine. It brought back a flood of good memories from my time there. I have always regretted not going to Africa with you (but am available, ready and willing to join you on another)and your group. I often tell the story of the snake with the legs that someone brought in for you to identify. How did I never know that you were a singer? Osmond joins me in sending our congratulations and best wishes to you, and our regret that WF is losing such a great prof! Yancey (and Osmond) PS Now that you are retiring, we don't live but 2 hours away on the family farm, and our two children are grown and gone!

— Yancey Smith
June 10, 2009 - 07:28 AM

Your multi-disciplinary approach to science really made a mark on me. Thank you so much. The 'big picture' has helped me over the years in many ways.

I fondly remember the time you and my classmates fireman carried me up Roan Mountain – I had stepped on a nail the previous night. Not the the ride was great .... but it allowed me to enjoy the top! I still very much enjoy spending time on the outer banks in NC whether I'm kayaking up a creek or fishing. You impacted my political and charitable actions over these years on ecological issues.

Best of luck.

— Lisa Snider-Ouellette (B.S. 1980)
June 09, 2009 - 06:03 PM