On January 20, 2009, we will usher in a new president of the United States, hopefully marking the end of the “nu-cu-lar” era.

No, I’m not referring to nuclear proliferation or nuclear energy. I’m simply talking about the pronunciation of the word “nuclear.”

For eight long years, we had to endure the mispronunciation of the word nuclear. I remember several years ago being shocked when I heard President George W. Bush say the word, which he pronounced “new-cyoo-ler.”

A couple of warm weeks ago, I sat bundled up in class to stay warm and thought that the University of Nevada, Reno might not be efficiently heating and warming its classrooms.

My avid interest in alpinism, ski mountaineering, rock climbing and surfing has taken me around the world. I have lived, climbed and worked as a guide in South America, Alaska, Europe and Indonesia.

These passions, along with a desire to work in conservation, have also brought me to Reno. That is why I was surprised to see a lack of interest in the outdoor activities this area has to offer.

Aside from skiing and snowboarding at the resorts up at Tahoe, it seems that many University of Nevada, Reno students are not taking full advantage of the outdoor activities.

These days, it seems like college is an extension of high school, serving just as a natural progression to a successful career.

Why would a person choose to go to graduate school? After all, you’ve already done your time from kindergarten through college, making for 16, or 17 in my case, long years of school. For me, the decision to come back for a master’s degree took a long time to make.