Contact: Sammy McDavid
Mississippi State's student chapter of the Society of American Foresters continues among the top organizations of its kind in the nation.
The 50-member university chapter recently placed first in the 2003 SAF Student Chapter Web site competition and now is ranked third overall in the outstanding student chapter rankings.
The group has finished atop the overall chapter rankings for the past five years, capturing first place in 1996-97 and 2000-01, and second place in 1998-99 and 2001-02.
Because the chapter entered that category of the annual competition for the first time this year, this year's Web site honor is additionally noteworthy. Designed and maintained by student members, http://www.cfr.msstate.edu/studentorgs/saf/index.htm was judged on design and content, among other criteria.
The 2002-03 officers included president Shane Harrington of Douglasville, Ga., vice president Britt A. Hubbard of New Albany, and treasurer Bryan M. McElroy of Carrollton, Ala. Associate professor of forestry Donald L. Grebner is chapter adviser.
Founded in 1900, SAF is the world's largest professional organization for foresters. Its 18,000 active members are engaged in a variety of programs to improve the health, productivity and use of the nation's forestlands.
The 2003 awards presentation is scheduled Oct. 25 as part of the organization's national convention in Buffalo, N.Y. Grebner also will be recognized during the ceremony for his contribution to the student organization.
LOCAL EDITORS: Additional information on the officers
Harrington is a forestry management major and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin C. Harrington; Hubbard, an urban forestry major and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Hubbard; and McElroy, a forest management major and the son of Mr. and Mrs. William McElroy. All are seniors this year.