Paper Science & Engineering Celebrates 6th TAPPI Fellow

TAPPIEach year TAPPI, the leading association for the worldwide pulp, paper, packaging, and converting industries,  elects members as TAPPI Fellows in recognition of meritorious service to the Association and the industry.  In 2012 Dr. Richard A. Venditti, was elected as a TAPPI Fellow, joining TAPPI Fellows and NC State Paper Science and Engineering faculty Drs. Hou-min Chang, Martin A. Hubbe, Hasan Jameel, Michael J. Kocurek, and Richard B. Phillips.

Learn more about all 6 of these outstanding Fellows in the PSE Winter 2013 Update

 

Nominations Sought for Annual Borlaug Award

Dr. Norman E. Borlaug

Dr. Norman E. Borlaug

Nominations are being accepted for the 2013 Norman E. Borlaug Service to Society and Environment Award. This award is open to all tenure-track faculty of N.C. State University and is presented annually at the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and College of Natural Resources “Nobel Laureate Dr. Norman E. Borlaug Distinguished Lecture on Global Service to Society and Environment.”

 Faculty members from any of N.C. State’s colleges are eligible for this award, named in honor of the late Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, Nobel Laureate and father of the Green Revolution. The award recognizes exemplary service to the environment and society in academics, research or service through enhancing global practices, new technologies, impact on students or global communities. The award is intended to recognize accomplishments and to encourage future work.  

The 2013 award will be presented at the Norman E. Borlaug Distinguished Lecture on Global Service to Society and Environment on April 16. Frances Seymour, director general of the Center for International Forestry Research, is this year’s guest lecturer.  The event will be held at the new Hunt Library Auditorium on Centennial Campus beginning at 3 p.m.  

Award nomination packets are due March 11.  Please send nomination packets to:  Dr. Joel Pawlak, Campus Box 8001, N.C. State University. 

Nomination packets should include the following:

  1. Nominee’s complete resume
  2. Letter of support from department head, dean, associate or assistant dean or university officer
  3. Statement from the nominee about the impact of his or her work and future plans
  4. Letters of support from outside the university are encouraged, but not required. Such letters should describe the impact of the nominee’s accomplishments. 

Nominations can originate from individual faculty members on their own behalf or from colleagues at any level of university administration.  However, nomination packets must be submitted to the selection committee via the person writing a letter of support (see No. 2 above.)  

The awardee will have a chance to briefly address the audience assembled for the Borlaug Lecture and will receive an award certificate, a $1,000 prize, a gift from the selection committee and his or her name engraved on a university plaque.  

For information contact John Sabella, CALS, jasabell@ncsu.edu,919.515.2665; or Joel Pawlak, CNR, jjpawlak@ncsu.edu, 919.515.2890.

A Little Wild on the Side?

NC State Leopold Wildlife Club LogoThe North Carolina State University Leopold Wildlife Club, Student Fisheries Society, and the NCSU Fish and Wildlife Alumni Society are teaming up again this year to host the 2nd Annual Wild Foods Supper, Saturday, February 9, 2013. The many students, staff, faculty, alumni and friends who made the first year such a success are looking forward to another great evening that will feature a buffet dinner, a wild foods cooking contest, game calling, door prizes and more.  The location will be the same as last year, VFW Post 7383, 522 Reedy Creek Road, Cary, NC 27513.NC State Student Fisheries Society Logo

“The event is a fundraiser for our student clubs and an opportunity for faculty, students, and alumni to come together for socializing and professional development,” explains Dr. Chris Moorman, Coordinator of the Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Program at NC State University. There is a suggested donation of $15, with children under 12 free.

If you would like more information or to enter your dish in the contest, contact Leopold Wildlife Club President, Charlie Sanders at cwsander@ncsu.edu.

The Wild Food Contest categories include Venison, Fish, Other Game, Fruits and Vegetables, and Desserts.

So for a “wild” time and the opportunity to support these great student organizations, come out to the 2nd Annual Wild Foods Supper!

Hofmann Forest Letter from Dean Mary Watzin

The following letter was emailed to College of Natural Resources alumni on January 22, 2013.

Dean Mary Watzin

A Message From Dean Mary Watzin
January 22, 2013

I write to let you know that the Natural Resources Foundation Board of Directors has unanimously recommended the sale of the Hofmann Forest in its entirety, assuming price and other considerations can be met, for the specific support of the mission of the College of Natural Resources.
 
I also want to reassure you that any sale of the Hofmann will be consistent with the values of the College, which include retaining the name in recognition of the legacy of the Forest to the College.  The goal is to sell the property as a working forest.  The College hopes to retain access to the property by faculty and students for teaching and research.  My commitment to forestry education, research and outreach as core elements of the programming of the CNR is strong.
 
In deciding about the future of the Hofmann, the Foundation (and the College) has considered which options would provide the greatest good for the largest number of CNR students, our faculty and staff, and our professions, over the long term.   The College is currently experiencing significant growth and has strong ambitions.  Keeping current programs strong and leveraging new opportunities for the College will only be possible with additional cash flow.  A more diversified portfolio of investment could provide a higher and more consistent level of support to the College.
 
The Hofmann Forest is a tremendous asset to the College of Natural Resources, and I understand some of you have fond memories of your time there.  As you will recall, the Hofmann was acquired shortly after the forestry program at NCSU was founded and it was named in honor of the program’s founding dean.  Initially, the Forest was used for teaching purposes, with students spending a summer in eastern North Carolina at the Hofmann to learn forestry.  In the late 1950’s, summer camp was moved permanently to Hill Forest near Durham.  Last year, the College invested about $1.5 million in upgrading the facilities at Hill Forest.  Today, a relatively small number of CNR faculty and students use the Hofmann Forest for teaching and research.  The low rate of use is in part because of the distance of the Hofmann Forest from the campus.
 
Currently, the primary role of the Hofmann Forest is as an investment, with earnings supporting scholarships and the academic and research programs of the College.  It is managed by the Natural Resources Foundation as a commercial forest.  Although the Foundation staff has done an outstanding job of managing the Hofmann Forest over the last decade, we are at a competitive disadvantage compared to large commercial operations, which have greater resources to manage in the face of a changing business climate.
 
The current rate of return from the Hofmann is less than what might be achieved from a diversified investment portfolio.  A diversified portfolio would also lessen the risks associated with fires, hurricanes, droughts, and invasive species.
 
The mission of CNR is teaching, research and outreach.  While we cherish our history with the Hofmann Forest, the reputation of the College is not based on this land ownership; it is instead the direct result of the stature and quality of the faculty and the teaching, research, and outreach programs we deliver.
 
I ask for your patience and your trust as we move forward with this process, which will unfold over the coming months.
 
With best wishes,
 
Mary C. Watzin
Dean, College of Natural Resources
North Carolina State University

Helping Others See the Forest for the Trees

Have you ever met a natural-born leader?  You know…someone who, just from his unassuming but confident manner, lets you know everything is under control and that you matter?  The Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources is very fortunate to have many student leaders, but none stand out more than Austin Heine, a senior in Forest Management.  During his academic career at NC State, Austin has held several leadership roles in student organizations and has been the recipient of many scholarships and awards. Recently, Austin was awarded the Ben Meadows Natural Resources Scholarship for Academic Achievement. Only two students in the country are named to the Ben Meadows scholarship each year, and only one receives the academic achievement award. But for all of his scholastic success, it turns out that Austin’s character is what best reveals him as a true leader.

Earning and maintaining a 4.0 grade-point average is an impressive feat under any circumstance, but Austin has done this while…now get ready for this… working for the NC State Tree Improvement Program, holding Secretary and Vice President positions in the State College Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, being President of the NC State Student Chapter of the Society of American Foresters (SAF), peer tutoring in dendrology class, and mentoring incoming students in a special topics course.  This last course was developed by the department just this year to help enhance relationships between experienced students and new students. “Austin’s consistent good will, patient personality, and clear thinking have gone a long way toward helping us meet that objective,” said Dr. George Hess, professor and co-instructor of the special topics course. “In peer reviews from fellow students, Austin was universally admired for his leadership, encouragement, and ability to provide guidance while still letting others set their own direction.”

Knowing how to let others discover their own confidence in a subject is a rare talent. For Austin, this occurs in a very natural and genuine way. “The most rewarding thing about my education in forestry at North Carolina State University has been my dendrology course with Dr. Braham,” relayed Austin in an interview. “I have enjoyed many courses at NC State, but this class was special to me because it really changed the way I look at the woods.”  That love of being able to newly go through the forest and appreciate it for all of its complexity was passed along to the students that he tutored during the 2011 Fall semester. “He is always respectful and displays considerable grace,” observed the dendrology professor, Dr. Richard Braham.

During NCSU SAF Wilderness Management Expedition, Glacier National Park

During NCSU SAF Wilderness Management Expedition, Glacier National Park

With the National Wild Turkey Federation, Austin helped organize Turkey Hunters Care that donates turkeys to those in need, including the Raleigh Rescue Mission. In his role as president of the NC State Student Chapter of SAF, he helped plan a 2012 pre- SAF conference wilderness excursion the students took to Glacier National Park in Montana. “One of the reasons this trip was so enjoyable,” stated Austin, “was because we had a really great group!” His consensus building and organizing skills are once again in use as several students are preparing for the next professional development opportunity at the Appalachian Society of American Foresters 2013 Meeting in Charlotte, NC, later this month.

“Austin has all the makings of one of the great future leaders for the Forestry Profession,” said Dr. Joe Roise, professor and faculty advisor for the NCSU Student Chapter of SAF. “Austin was recognized by his classmates when they voted him to be the NCSU SAF President last year. I didn’t know much about him at that time,” continued Dr. Roise, “but I trust the insight of students when they choose a leader, and they certainly reinforced my trust when it came to electing Austin. Since becoming Chapter President he has been getting a lot of things done using a quiet, thoughtful yet professional style.”Austin Heine

Leading while learning at the same is truly the art of being able to see the forests for the trees.  Austin seems to be a natural at this. “The first thing that got me interested in forestry is that I have always loved being outdoors. I wanted to be in a profession where I would love to go to work every day, and I knew that forestry would enable me to do this,” explained Austin, adding that Doug Smith, a timber company owner and family friend, also fueled the flame by taking him to a forest tract when he was in high school.

Perhaps one reason Austin is such a good leader is because he, himself, is so open to being mentored, as is clear from the many responsibilities he has taken on and relationships he has built over the past few years.  As Austin considers the next few years, he may have his compass set for graduate school.  We know he will find what he seeks and, along the way, will help guide others to find their own paths to the future.

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