Contact: Sammy McDavid
STARKVILLE, Miss.--A nationally recognized administrator in Mississippi State's College of Forest Resources is on track to become president of The Wildlife Society.
Bruce Leopold, head of the university's wildlife and fisheries department, recently was elected as TWS vice president. In 2009, he moves to the top administrative office of the 10,000-member international organization founded in 1937.
The society is a non-profit scientific and educational association dedicated to promoting the highest levels of wildlife stewardship. With headquarters in Bethesda, Md., it works to enhance the ability of wildlife professionals to conserve diversity, sustain productivity and ensure responsible use of wildlife resources for the benefit of humanity.
Acceptance of the TWS leadership role involves a four-year commitment that includes a year as vice president, president-elect, president, and immediate past-president, respectively. Leopold is a longtime Wildlife Society member who previously served on its governing council and as Southeastern Section representative.
A 20-year MSU faculty veteran and predator ecology specialist, he was honored in 2003 with the outstanding alumnus award of the University of Arizona's School of Renewable Resources, where he completed his doctorate.
He also is a former president of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's leading all-discipline honor society.
In addition to his Arizona degree, Leopold holds a bachelor's from Pennsylvania State University and a master's from Mississippi State University.
NEWS EDITORS/DIRECTORS: For additional information, contact Dr. Leopold at 662-325-2615 or bleopold@cfr.msstate.edu.
For more information about Mississippi State University, see http://www.msstate.edu/.