College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Forestry

Dear MSU Forestry Alumni and Friends,

To the theme of this issue, MSU Forestry has a positive impact on the world in many ways. As you will read about later, MSU’s STEM Teaching and Learning Facility is the first mass timber building in Michigan and the surrounding states of Ohio, Indiana and Wisconsin. MSU Forestry had an important role in providing expertise and connections that supported the university’s decision to choose mass timber. We are developing an outreach program to extend the impact of this important building.

Our program in Forest Carbon Science, Policy, and Management (https://www.canr.msu.edu/fccp) is the first of its kind in the U.S.; our research and outreach situate MSU as the leading university on this topic. Students from throughout the world are enrolled in our online forest carbon courses, including the first university – Society of American Foresters collaboration for online professional education.

MSU Shadows (msushadows.com), led by MSU Forestry in collaboration with MSU’s Landscape Services and the Surplus Store, recovers wood from campus tree removals. A local network of artisans create heirloom quality products from the campus wood. This leading program is a tangible demonstration of the connections among trees, wood, products, community economic vitality and sustainability.

While these programs have high visibility, some of our most important and impactful work is in providing a rigorous, comprehensive and quality education. Students increasingly recognize the value of an MSU Forestry degree; since 2012, our B.S. enrollment has increased 75% and Ph.D. by 116% and our student population is more diverse than ever. I hope that MSU Forestry can claim a small bit of credit for the fulfilling career paths of alumni, many of whom I’ve had the opportunity to meet while traveling this past year: Ken Guenther (MS ’50) and Paul Grabarek (BS ‘79) in Portland, Jim Campopiano (BS ’69) in Saratoga Springs, Jim Overbeek (BS ’71), Jim Westlake (BS ’72) and Chris Gladieux (MS ’74) in Traverse City, Brent Winebar (MS ’83) in Appleton, John Daily (BS ’51) in Akron, Anton Hammer (MS ‘67) while visiting East Lansing, Rick Ramsey (BS ’72) in Kent, Al Ratner (BS ’51) in Cleveland, Brock LaMarca (BS ’79) in Chicago, and Jim Granskog (PhD ’71) and Patty Beyer (BS ’82) in the Upper Peninsula. I always am happy to meet our alums, learn your stories and listen to your feedback. Please feel free to contact me if you are interested in meeting during my future travels.

Alumni have crucial impact on our future. Recently, we sent a survey to alumni and other stakeholders about a potential name change of the B.S. from ‘forestry’ to ‘sustainable forestry.’ About half of surveyed alumni were opposed to the change. Despite the projected positive results for student enrollment, we decided not to pursue the change based on alumni feedback and suggestions.

We recognize that the long-term vitality of MSU Forestry depends on continuing to increase student numbers and developing impactful programs and we need your help to accomplish these. There are many ways that you can help: host a student intern, serve as an alumni ambassador to assist in recruiting new students, mentor a student, get involved with the Forestry Alumni Association, participate in the MSU Global Day of Service, or donate funds. Send us an email (rtilley@msu.edu), call or sign up online
(https://www.canr.msu.edu/for/alumni_giving/alumni_contact_form).

I hope to see many of you at the Forestry Alumni Association tailgate on Sept. 28 and the SAF alumni reception on Oct. 31 in Louisville. We look forward to creating a vibrant future together!

Best,