Contact: Sammy McDavid
STARKVILLE, Miss.--Mississippi State's student chapter of the Society of American Foresters continues among the top organizations of its kind in the nation.
The 39-member university organization recently placed first in the 2005-06 SAF Student Chapter Web site competition and tied for first overall as the outstanding student chapter.
The group has finished atop the overall chapter rankings for the past seven years, capturing first place in 2003-04, 2000-01 and 1996-97; second, in 2004-05, 2001-02 and 1998-99; and third, in 2002-03.
This is the fourth year the student chapter has won first place in the Web site competition. Designed and maintained by student members, www.cfr.msstate.edu/studentorgs/saf/index.htm was judged on design and content, among other criteria.
All senior forestry majors, the 2005-06 officers included president J. Tedrick Ratcliff of Brookhaven; vice president Jared B. Cates of Sarah; secretary Katie L. Nelson of Fayette, Ala.; and treasurer Roger Tankesly of Madison. 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 2006 awards presentation is scheduled Oct. 26 as part of the organization's national convention in Pittsburgh, Pa. Grebner also will be recognized during the ceremony for his contribution to the student organization.
LOCAL EDITORS:
Ratcliff is son of James and Cynthia Ratcliff; Cates, the son of Albert and Karen Cates; Nelson, the daughter of Donald and Susan Nelson; and Tankesly, the son of Roger and Ellena Tankesly.