Contact: Bob Ratliff
A scholarship memorializing one of the state's leading tree-farming couples is being established at Mississippi State University.
The Ozier Endowed Scholarship in the College of Forest Resources honors Dr. Terry Ozier of Brandon and his late wife, Anne. Recent contributions by the Mississippi Forestry Association and Ozier family members created the memorial.
A veterinarian, Terry Ozier became interested more than 40 years ago in tree farming as a long-term investment. In 1958, he and his wife bought their first tract of land--1,800 acres of crop and unproductive forestlands in Rankin County. The couple immediately set out pine trees, planting most of the seedlings by hand.
In 1990, the MFA honored the Oziers' success by naming them Mississippi Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year. Recognition continued a year later when they were designated Outstanding National Tree Farmers of the Year by the American Tree Farm System of the National Forestry Association.
"The College of Forest Resources is very proud to be associated with dedicated tree farmers like the Ozier family," said Keith Gaskin, CFR's director of development. "Once the scholarship reaches the endowed level, it will have a major impact on the lives of students who will become the future foresters of our state for many generations."