Category Archives: Features

Stories that we want to highlight for longer periods of time.

NC State Natural Resources Course Examines Sustainability in Turkey

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By Gary Blank, Associate Professor, Director of Undergraduate Programs, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources

Traveling 4,061 kilometers by bus, the NR350 course, entitled Sustainable Use of Natural Resources in Turkey, included almost that number of contrasts and surprises. Four weeks of intensive study from 22 June until 18 July 2009 immersed 17 students and four faculty members in realities of the Turkish landscape and culture.students and faculty travel to Turkey as part of natural resources class

The class crossed incredibly varied terrain from Istanbul and the Bosporus Strait to alpine mountain valleys to vast steppes.  Staying places that receive 10 inches of rain and places receiving 8 feet of precipitation per year, students and faculty examined land uses and constraints on use from such climate conditions. They interacted with local farmers, hazelnut and tea plantation operators, commercial tour guides, and a score of Turkish forestry faculty members as they researched water use, reforestation, climate change and elevation effects on species adaptation.

Dr. Gary B. Blank and Dr. Fikret Isik, from the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, joined Dr. Barny Dunning of Purdue University and  Dr. Mats Olsson, of the Swedish Agricultural University in leading the 17 students from  their three universities, the University of Maine, and Haceteppe University in Ankara. Erika Luchsinger, Kim Bernard, and Funda Ogut were enrolled from NC State.

students and faculty during fieldtrip in Turkey as part of natural resources classPrimary venues besides the University of Istanbul included Trabzon on the Black Sea coast, Ayder in the Kackar Mountains, Goreme in Cappadocia, and Antalya on the Mediterranean Sea coast. From each site, the class visited more remote locations to see historic and contemporary examples of resource use. For example, from Antalya, several hours by bus and mini-bus brought the group to forest sites near Elmali where groves containing 800-year-old juniper and 1000-year-old Lebanon cedar trees can still be found.

Further information about this summer course will be presented in October as part of the FER Monday seminar series. Next summer NR350 will explore sustainability of resource use in Canada’s Maritime Provinces, so FER students interested in studying abroad should stay alert to the announcements that will be coming this fall about that experience.

Learn more: course catalog description for NR350, International Sustainable Resource Use

Denig Visits Kosovo Wood Products Community as U.S. Aid to International Development(USAID) Expert

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Dr. Joe Denig - NC State Wood ProductsDr. Joe Denig, wood products extension leader at NC State, recently returned from a United States Aid to International Development(USAID) mission trip to Kosovo.  Still rebuilding from a war 10 years ago, much of the Kosovan population is still displaced and much of the county's infrastructure is in ruins.

Dr. Denig was asked to lend his expertise and assist the Kosovan wood processing sector to improve the industry’s ability to meet recognized international standards and designs. This in turn would ensure that the small, local wood products businesses will be compatible with EU market requirements. The USAID’s Kosovo Private Enterprise Program's mission was to increase sales, while at the same time increasing local employment in the sustainable wood products industry.

Dr. Denig's work in the Wood Products Extension program at NC State University assisting the North Carolina wood products industry, showing small wood products businesses how to properly dry lumber so their products don’t fail in service and connecting NC State's students with industry – fit nicely with Kosovo's needs.

During his three week trip, he visited sites and made drying improvement suggestions to 17 individual companies and taught two drying workshops. A one and one-half day workshop held at the University of Prishtina attracted 8 industry personnel, 2 faculty members and 29 students. Many of the faculty and students hold part time jobs with the wood products industry. A second one day workshop was held at a wood products factory and attracted 8 industry personnel and 2 wood products instructors.

KosovaWood FacilityThe trip yielded benefits to both the Kosovan wood products industry and the NC State University wood products program. Reflecting on his trip, Denig had this to say, "I left knowing the knowledge we provided to these small firms would help them produce a better product and profitably employ more people. The experience I had in Kosovo will help me with my extension work by broadening my thinking on how family businesses can excel even under trying conditions. I met some fantastic people and I cannot wait to use this experience to excite our students about the world that awaits in a wood products career." 

Venditti Visits South Africa as Fulbright Specialist

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Jimmy Paulk (left) and Rich Venditti (right) in South AfricaDr. Richard Venditti, an associate professor in the Department of Wood and Paper Science at NC State traveled to South Africa through the Fulbright Specialists Program. His visit was hosted by the University of KwaZulu-Natal in April 2009. During his visit, Dr. Venditti gave presentations about academic programs and research activities in wood and paper science at NC State. He had the opportunity to consult and conduct extensive conversations about technical paper technology and science topics with representatives of industry, academic and research groups. The resulting new contacts and potential for research and academic partnerships will be of great benefit to the department.

Dr. Venditti also greatly enjoyed learning about the paper industry and paper research in South Africa, the SA culture, history and politics, visiting very interesting sights, and meeting many paper industry people from mill managers to researchers to technicians. 

Learn more about Dr. Venditti's trip on his website.

Paper Science and Engineering Program Mid-Year Update

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What's happening in the PSE Program?   Read the NC State PSE Program Blog to learn about…

  • Challenging Times – But PSE Is Still Doing Great Things
  • Black Liqour Analysis Important to Industry
  • Weyerhaeuser Donation Honors Students, Interns
  • Students Study Paper Science Abroad
  • PSE Seniors and the "Kraft Mill Energy Challenge"
  • Summer, Co-op Placements Still OK
  • PSE STudents, Faculty Take Service/Charity to Heart
  • May Graduation – Placement Rate Nearly 100%
  • PIE Takes Students to Chile
  • New Faculty Member/ New BioEnergy & Biomaterials Course

Congratulations Spring 2009 College of Natural Resources Graduates!

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It was important to have your ticket for the College of Natural Resources Spring Commencement Ceremony this year, because it was packed. More than 1000 family members and friends clapped, cheered, and cried as the 2009 CNR graduates made their way across the stage at the McKimmon Center to receive their diplomas and heartfelt congratulations from the Dean, Department Heads, and faculty members. Earlier that day on May 9, they had all gathered in the RBC center for University Graduation Exercises. This year, those who will be graduating during the summer of 2009 were invited to walk with the May graduates.

The CNR Commencement Address was delivered by Dr. George Hess, 2009 Distinguished Undergraduate Professor. Additionally, one student representative from each department addressed their fellow graduates. Steven Tyler Pires, Summa Cum Laude, Environmental Technology, provided the address for the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources. Departmental receptions followed the graduation ceremony, giving the opportunity for professors to meet families, and friends to offer best wishes for the future.

• Read Dr. George Hess’s Commencement Address
• Read Steven Tyler Pires Address to Fellow Graduates