Contact: Sammy McDavid
STARKVILLE, Miss.--Mississippi State continues as the home of a top Society of American Foresters student chapter.
The 47-member university organization recently placed first nationally in the 2007-08 Web site competition and third place overall among outstanding campus chapters.
The group has been atop the overall chapter rankings for the past nine years, including first place in the 1996-97, 2000-01, 2003-04, and 2005-06 school years; second place in 1998-99, 2001-02, 2004-05, and 2006-07; and third place in 2002-03.
This is the sixth 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 2007-08 officers included president Eric Ezell of Starkville; vice-president Emily M. Courtney of Clinton, secretary Landis Herrin of Petal and treasurer Jean E. Chervenak of Poplar Bluff, Mo. 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 2008 awards were presented at the organization's national convention in Reno, Nev. Grebner also was recognized during the ceremony for his contribution to the student organization.
LOCAL EDITORS:
Ezell is son of Andrew and Kevier Ezell; Courtney, the daughter of Anthony and Barbara Courtney; Herrin, the son of Samuel and Debra Herrin; and Chervenak, the daughter of John and Vicki Chervenak.
For more information about Mississippi State University, see http://www.msstate.edu/.