Media Contact:
Tilla Fearn, 919/513-4644

Oct. 19, 2004

NC State College of Natural Resources Celebrates 75th Anniversary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The College of Natural Resources at North Carolina State University will celebrate its 75th anniversary with a series of events to be held Oct. 21 and 22.

Planned activities include a symposium titled “Natural Resources – Sustaining Success for a New Century”; an exhibition featuring student projects, research and programs; a campus tour; a paper science and engineering 50th anniversary recognition luncheon; and the annual meetings of the N.C. Forestry Foundation and the Pulp and Paper Foundation.

Additional activities feature some of the college’s programs and partnerships, including a visit to the college’s summer camp at the Hill Forest; the Partnership for Art and Ecology tour of the N.C. Museum of Art and Art Park; and a short-game golf clinic with the college’s professional golf management students.

Dale Bumpers, former governor and senator of Arkansas, will deliver the keynote address. Additional speakers include national leaders in a variety of natural resource-related disciplines. For a complete list of speakers visit the Web.

The college began with the creation of the forestry program in 1929 in response to the state’s need to support a growing forest land base. Through the years, the program expanded to include wood products; wildlife; paper science; tourism; and park, recreation and sport management. The diverse college is internationally recognized as a leader in natural resource education, research and extension. A testament to NC State’s land-grant mission, the college’s more than 7,000 graduates hold leadership positions in industry, government, non-government organizations and communities throughout the world.

In addition to being a leading resource for the state’s extensive forest landowners, the college’s research and extension programs support the state’s forest products manufacturing industry – an industry that contributes almost $30 billion annually to the state’s economy. Another industry that has benefited from the college’s programs is tourism, the state’s largest service industry employing more than 200,000 people.

Over 75 years, the college’s faculty has been recognized with the highest honors in the world of science, including the Wallenberg Prize and membership in the National Academy of Sciences. Outstanding teaching and extension are hallmarks of the college as evidenced by the numerous faculty members who have been inducted into the university’s Academy of Outstanding Teachers and the Academy of Outstanding Faculty Engaged in Extension.

A few of the college’s most influential alumni include Robert Jordan, owner of Jordan Lumber Company and former lieutenant governor of North Carolina; Dr. Charles Lee, president of Mississippi State University; Barry Tindall, director of public policy for the National Recreation and Park Association; Brenda Brickhouse, director of environmental services for Progress Energy; and General Dan McNeill, commanding officer of U.S. forces at Fort McPherson, Ga.

The college has approximately 1,200 undergraduate, graduate and Ph.D. students enrolled in its three departments: forestry; wood and paper science; and parks, recreation and tourism management. It is one of the most comprehensive natural resource schools in the nation.

For more information about the NC State College of Natural Resources 75th Anniversary, visit the Web or call Tilla Fearn at 919/513-4644.

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