“During the course of two successful careers—one in government and one in philanthropy—I have engaged, confronted, and collaborated with many Ivy League graduates. I always felt confident and proud of the education I received at SOU,” says Distinguished Alumnus Mike Finley.

Before becoming president of the Turner Foundation in 2001, Finley had spent 32 years working for the National Park Service, including 6-1/2 years as superintendent of Yellowstone National Park. In 1989, Finley received the Florida Audubon Society Conservationist of the Year Award, the National Park Service Honor Award for Superior Service, and the Sierra Club Public Service Award for Environmental Protection.

“During the course of two successful careers—one in government and one in philanthropy—I have engaged, confronted, and collaborated with many Ivy League graduates. I always felt confident and proud of the education I received at SOU”

Other honors include the Everglades Coalition Conservation Award and Distinguished Public Service Awards from American Rivers, Defenders of Wildlife, and the Wyoming Wildlife Federation. It was a Christmas Eve phone call from Ted Turner that vectored Finley into his current career in philanthropy.

Today, he helps support hundreds of organizations whose missions range from preserving habitats to curbing climate change to improving air and water quality. Finley also serves on the Steering Committee for the Energy Future Coalition, a nonpartisan alliance among business, labor, and environmental groups working to identify ecologically responsible energy policy options.