College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Forestry

Dear Forestry Alumni and Donors,

As you probably have heard numerous times, 2020 has been a challenging year for higher education. Fewer out-of-state and international students, dormitory closures, and scaled-back sports decreased revenue. Though state universities in Michigan were spared this year, state universities elsewhere saw deep cuts and future budgets are uncertain in Michigan.  At the same time, expenses increased due to the massive switch to online teaching (e.g., training to ensure high quality) and coronavirus safeguards (e.g., additional cleaning) and testing. Universities, including MSU, will undergo fundamental changes during the tight budgets of the next few years, including the merger or elimination of academic programs.

Yet I remain highly optimistic about MSU Forestry’s future growth. In addition to outstanding faculty, staff, and students taking on issues of great societal importance, a major reason for my optimism is our robust foundation -- the focus of this issue of the MSU Forester. Our proud history propels a promising future and our alumni occupy a center of this magnificent history. I continue to be amazed by the incredible success – measured in numerous ways – of our alumni. And I continue to be impressed by the generosity of our alumni and friends in giving back through service on the Forestry Alumni Association and Forestry Advisory Board and through direct financial support.

To better document and share the history of MSU Forestry, we are embarking on a new project, MSU Forestry Foundations – our history as seen through the experiences of our students through the decades. I encourage you to see examples and get inspired to submit your own material.

So please share your stories, photos, newspaper clippings, video, and other artifacts about your experience at MSU Forestry. Submit online or through the mail. Your contributions will be lightly edited and posted for viewing on the Foundations website.

My hope is that documenting our brilliant history will strengthen our network, further develop our shared sense of identity, and illuminate the vigorous foundation on which we continue to build our future.

I look forward to reading great stories! Thank you for your support and many contributions.

My best,

Rich