Mississippi State’s College of Forest Resources started out as the only school of forestry in the state.
Fifty years later, more than 250 people including Mississippi Sen. Thad Cochran, are expected to attend the anniversary celebration today, Dean Bob Karr said.
Cochran will deliver the keynote address for the celebration at 7 p.m. in the Hunter Henry Center ballroom.
“The College of Forest Resources has evolved over the last 50 years from an organization that concentrated solely on forestry to a comprehensive college that oversees programs in all facets of natural resources and the environment,” Associate Dean Keith Belli said. “The college has become one of the leaders in the southern United States and continues to grow in its national and international reputation.”
Beginning at 10 a.m. in the Franklin Center, Warren Thompson, dean emeritus of the college, will present a brief history of the school.
After the presentation, speeches will be given on the future expectations of forest products, wildlife, fisheries and forestry. Scheduled guest speakers include Paul Winistofer, professor and head of the wood science department at Virginia Tech; Carlton Owen, consultant of the Environmental Edge, LLC and MSU alumnus; and Richard Porterfield, dean of Warnell School of Forest Resources at the University of Georgia and former MSU professor.
Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m., followed by a tour of the Franklin Center facilities.
The Franklin Center is a 35,000 square-foot facility dedicated to furniture research, testing and technical assistance, said Karen Brasher, publications director for the college. It was named for Hassell H. Franklin, a 1959 MSU graduate, who is the founder, president and chief executive of the Franklin Corp.
“The College of Forest Resources currently enrolls approximately 400 students, with the main purpose of the College being to improve and encourage research and management of renewable natural resources,” Karr said.
The college provides academic programs, research, and outreach activities through its three departments, the department of forest products, the department of forestry, and the department of wildlife and fisheries. Students may work toward bachelor’s of science and master’s of science degrees in all three departments, and may pursue a doctorate in forest resources through the college, Belli said.
The school of forestry was established in 1954 to train students as professional foresters, because it became apparent that three-quarters of Mississippi’s forest land, owned in relatively small parcels by farmers and other individuals, was contributing very little to the state’s economy for lack of productive forest management following World War II, Brasher said.
The college has much to be proud of from its 50-year history, including being ranked fifth nationally among universities by employers to recruit undergraduate forestry majors; two faculty members selected as Giles Distinguished Professors; and five faculty honored with the John Grisham Master Teacher Award, Brasher added.