Contact: Bob Ratliff
Mississippi State's student chapter of the Society of American Foresters is again among the top organizations of its kind in the nation.
The 80-member university chapter finished second in the 2001-02 SAF Outstanding Student Chapter Awards competition. The honor recognizes a chapter's leadership and participation in professional and service activities at local, state and national levels.
Founded in 1900, the SAF is the world's largest professional organization for foresters. Its awards presentation will take place Oct. 6 as part of a national convention in Winston-Salem, N.C. First place will go to the University of Wisconsin--Stevens Point.
The latest honor is not the first for the MSU student chapter, which captured first place in the 2000-01 and 1996-97, and also was second in 1998-99.
All forestry majors, the 2001-02 chapter officers included president Brian N. Berryman of Leighton, Ala., vice president Kevin Burnette of Starkville, secretary Caree A. Crosby of Long Beach, and treasurer Butch Copeland of Philadelphia.
Assistant professor of forestry Donald Grebner is chapter adviser. He also will be recognized during the awards ceremony for his contribution to the student organization.
Nationally, the SAF has 18,000 active members engage in a variety of programs to improve the health, productivity and use of the nation's forest and forestlands.