NC State Receives $3.67M Grant to Examine Effect of Climate Change on Southern Loblolly Pines

Posted on February 18, 2011 by

NEWS RELEASE:
For Immediate Release

North Carolina State University is part of a team of 12 institutions across the Southeastern United States selected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to establish a regional network to monitor the effects of climate change on southern pine trees. The goal is to use the information to develop new management methods and varieties of pines to help Southeastern pine forests adapt to changes in climate.

Researchers will study climate-change mitigation and adaptation as it relates to southern pines, particularly loblolly pine, which comprises 80 percent of the planted forestland in the Southeast. NC State researchers, led by Dr. Ross Whetten, associate professor of forestry, will participate in establishing the monitoring network to collect information on response to climate change, examining the genetics of pine to learn how the trees grow and respond to temperature and rainfall, and measuring the nutrients the trees take in from and release into the atmosphere and soil.

Key components of NC State’s research effort include creating and disseminating knowledge that helps landowners harness planted pine forest productivity to mitigate atmospheric carbon dioxide; use nitrogen and other fertilizers more efficiently; and adapt their forest management to increase resilience in the face of changing climate.

Dr. Ryan Boyles, North Carolina state climatologist and assistant professor of marine, earth and atmospheric sciences, will also play a key role in coordinating state climatologists with forestry extension personnel to engage land managers across the region.

“We want to find out from landowners early on in the research process what questions they have about the impact climate is having on their ability to manage their land,” Boyles says. “This proposal is going to be very interesting not only in helping to improve forest production in a changing climate, but also in understanding the positive impact the timber industry plays in improving carbon sequestration. There are few tools as successful as forestry in having a positive effect on climate change.”

By the study’s conclusion, researchers hope to develop a computer model that incorporates climate variables – like temperature, rainfall and other factors – to predict forest productivity under different climate conditions. They also want to identify new varieties of loblolly pine, and new management techniques for existing pine plantations, that will allow plantations to better tolerate predicted climate change.

“In the end, we want to provide information and tools that equip landowners and forest managers to increase the sustainability and productivity of planted pine forests, and that empower environmental agencies and policy makers to make informed decisions about how forests will respond to climate change,” Whetten says.

The overall grant, a $20 million, five-year project, will be led by Dr. Tim Martin at the University of Florida. NC State will receive $3.67 million to perform its research, education and outreach activities.

Media Contact:
Caroline Barnhill, NCSU News Services, 919/515-6251 or caroline_barnhill@ncsu.edu

Zobel – Forest Genetics Pioneer Passes

Posted on February 18, 2011 by

Dr Zobel came into the office regularly for almost 30 years following his official retirement as Professor of Forestry at NC State.

In Memoriam

Dr. Bruce J. Zobel, NC State professor emeritus and pioneer in the field of forest genetics, died February 5 2011 at his home in Raleigh. He was 90.

Zobel’s connection with NC State lasted 55 years. It began with his move to Raleigh in 1957 to lead the Cooperative Tree Improvement Program. He remained active following his first retirement from that position in 1979, founding the Camcore program in gene conservation and forest genetics.

He continued to teach undergraduate and graduate classes and mentor graduate students until 2001. In 2004, Zobel received the Alexander Quarles Holladay Medal for career achievements and contributions to the university.

A native of California, Zobel earned a forestry degree from the University of California, Berkeley in 1943 and took a job as a logging engineer in redwood forests until he was drafted the following year. The Marine served in California, Virginia and North Carolina, where he was appointed forestry officer at Camp Lejeune near Jacksonville, NC.

Zobel in the treetops during the genesis of the field of tree improvement

After his military service, Zobel returned to Berkeley to earn master’s and doctoral degrees in forestry. He oversaw a new program in forest genetics at Texas A&M University until 1956. The following year he joined NC State.

Zobel, who served as the E.F. Conger Distinguished Professor of Forestry, received the O. Max Gardner award, the UNC Board of Governors’ highest faculty honor, in 1972 for outstanding contributions to the welfare of humankind.

Bruce Zobel accepts the TAPPI Gold Medal in 1975

Dr. Zobel accepts the TAPPI Gold Medal in 1975

The late Dr. Bruce J. Zobel accepts Nc State University's presigious Holladay Medal

In 2004, Zobel received the Alexander Quarles Holladay Medal for career achievements and contributions to the university.

Recognized as an authority on genetic improvement and variation of wood properties, Zobel earned international recognition in 1975 as the first forester to be awarded the TAPPI Gold Medal for outstanding contributions to the technical progress of the pulp and paper industry.

Zobel did consulting work around the world, authored six books and mentored more than 100 graduate students, many of whom hold leadership positions with universities, government and industry. In 1998, he and his wife created the Bruce and Barbara Zobel Endowment for International Forestry to allow students to gain firsthand experience with forestry production around the world. In 2004, he received the Alexander Quarles Holladay Medal.

Donations in his memory may be made to Avent Ferry United Methodist Chiurch in Raleigh, North Carolina, the Bruce and Barbara Zobel Scholarship Fund in care of Campus Box 8010 NC State University 27695 or a charity of your choice.

Cracking the Glass Ceiling in College Sport Administration

Posted on February 10, 2011 by

NEWS RELEASE –
Think Manager, Think Male? Impact of Gender In Sport Administration Hiring

The “glass ceiling” for women administrators in college athletics may be cracked, but is not completely broken, according to a new study co-authored by a North Carolina State University researcher.

Results of the study, which surveyed athletic administrators at universities across the country to determine how, and if, gender roles made a difference in hiring practices, may disappoint those who think double standards for women have been relegated to the past.

Dr. Heidi Grappendorf, assistant professor of parks, recreation and tourism management at NC State University, and colleagues surveyed 276 athletic administrators at Division I universities to have them evaluate fictitious vignettes of male or female candidates for intercollegiate athletics positions such as athletic director, compliance director or life-skills director. They then ranked the candidates’ attributes and the likelihood of hiring them for the respective positions.

The research found that female candidates for the athletic director position, despite having the same background as their male counterparts, were viewed as less feminine. However, if the same female candidates applied for life skills positions – positions which are predominately held by women in real-life athletic administration – they were viewed as more feminine.

Meanwhile, males were more likely to be chosen for athletic director positions, even with the exact same background and attributes as female candidates.

Researchers believe the study lends support to the notion that men tend to be hired in management roles not just for their skills and experience, but because of the perceived view that management roles require masculinity.

“It seems like there is, unfortunately, a ‘catch-22’ for women in management roles – particularly in sports,” Grappendorf explains. “The assumption has been that masculine attributes like aggressiveness and competitiveness are needed for management-level positions, yet women who display those attributes are still not given the same opportunities as men. Even worse, if they do happen to be hired, women are often looked down upon by colleagues for having those masculine qualities.”

Similar research has been conducted in business settings, but this research is the first of its kind conducted in the sports industry, which continues to be male-dominated. The research, which is published in the Journal for Sport Management, was conducted along with lead author Dr. Laura Burton from the University of Connecticut and co-author Dr. Angela Henderson from the University of Northern Colorado.

NC State’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management is part of the university’s College of Natural Resources.

-barnhill-

Note to editors: The study abstract follows.

“Perceptions of Gender in Athletic Administration: Utilizing Role Congruity to Examine (Potential) Prejudice Against Women”
Authors: Laura Burton, University of Connecticut; Heidi Grappendorf, North Carolina State University, Angela Henderson, University of Northern Colorado.
Published: 2011, Volume 25, 36-45, Journal of Sport Management

Abstract:
Based on the tenets of role congruity theory, the current study examined the unequal representation of men and women in athletic administration positions. A total of 158 female and 118 male (n = 276) athletic administrators evaluated a male or female candidate for an athletic director, compliance director, or life skills director position within athletics. Participants indicated no significant differences in masculine ratings of male or female candidates and significant differences in feminine ratings for female candidates in the life skills position. Male and female candidates were perceived as similar in potential and likely success in all positions. Finally, the female candidate was evaluated as significantly less likely to be offered the athletic director position when compared to the male candidate.

Media Contacts:
Dr. Heidi Grappendorf, 919/513-0060 or heidi_grappendorf@ncsu.edu
Caroline Barnhill, News Services, 919/515-6251 or caroline_barnhill@ncsu.edu

College Honors Distinguished Alumnus

Posted on February 9, 2011 by

Dr. Alexander and Dean Brown at the NC State "Evening With the Stars" Gala - January 2011

NEWS RELEASE

The College of Natural Resources at North Carolina State University is pleased to announce the selection of our 2010 Distinguished Alumnus -Dr. Ernie Alexander.

Dr. Alexander ’67, ’72, combined an undergraduate degree in pulp and paper technology with a PhD in chemical engineering to build a successful career in the forest products industry. After completing his doctorate, Dr. Alexander joined Westvaco, a leading paper, packaging and specialty chemicals corporation, as a research engineer. After seven years, he was transferred to Covington Mill as supervisor of the newly formed paper process group. Dr. Alexander spent 23 years at Covington Mill, taking on positions of increasing responsibility, including technical director, pulp mill superintendent and pulping expansion manager.

After the merger of Westvaco and Mead Corporation in 2002, Dr. Alexander joined the company’s corporate engineering department, which was relocated to NC State’s Centennial Campus in 2006.

There, he led a team of production superintendents from all MeadWestvaco Mills to handle property conservation and operational improvements. Specifically, Dr. Alexander supervised major capital improvement projects at plants in Texas and South Carolina.

Dr. Alexander retired in 2009 and launched his own consulting firm to provide valuable advice to forest products companies, including his former employer, MeadWestvaco.

Throughout his career, Dr. Alexander has been a strong supporter of the NC State College of Natural Resources. Following his retirement from MeadWestvaco he became a volunteer employee in the College’s development office assisting with industry and foundation relations, student mentoring and fundraising.

Understanding the importance of donors to the university’s future, Dr. Alexander and his wife Beverly established the Ernie and Beverly Alexander Endowed Scholarship in Paper Science and Engineering at NC State.

Dr. Alexander accepted the distinguished alumnus honor on January 29, 2011 at the NC State University Alumni Association’s “Evening of Stars” Gala in Raleigh. He lives in Cary, NC with his wife, Beverly.

See a complete list of previous honorees

For more information contact Tilla Fearn at (919) 513-4644 or tilla_fearn@ncsu.edu

Students Grow at TAPPI-PIMA Student Summit

Posted on February 8, 2011 by

Contributed by Katie McIntyre

Over the MLK holiday weekend, 19 Paper Science and Engineering students at NC State University travelled to Kingsport, TN for the annual TAPPI-PIMA Student Summit.

The 2011 Student Summit allowed students from paper science programs across the country the opportunity to learn more about the pulp and paper and packaging industries directly from professionals involved in day-to-day operations. Industry leaders met with students to impart some of their professional knowledge to budding engineers.

Throughout the weekend, students heard from professionals at a variety of levels; from mill managers to young professionals. Sessions highlighted new technologies in printed and flexible circuitry, biofuels energy, and carbon management.

Dedicated to preparing paper science students for successful careers, TAPPI provided students with essential information about interviewing, resume building and personal finance for young professionals.

Multiple companies took the opportunity to interview students for jobs, internships and co-ops during the Summit. More than one NC State student secured an internship over the weekend!

It has become tradition for the Student Summit to be held near a prominent manufacturing facility in order to provide students the opportunity to take a tour of the mill. This year was no exception, attendees were treated to a detailed tour of the Domtar Kingsport mill. Domtar was a key sponsor of the weekend event and supported many of the sessions with its professionals.

TAPPI Student Summits are never all work! Students had ample time to network with their peers from across the country and even got the opportunity to travel to Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium Park to visit the local “wolf pack” and had a “howling” good time. Take a listen!

The weekend wrapped up with a final challenge to the student participants. Groups took part in the “Marshmallow Challenge.” Their task: to build a structure in less than 18 minutes that would support a marshmallow with a few pieces of spaghetti, a little string and some tape. Who thought a marshmallow would be so heavy? Take a look at some of the spaghetti towers students built.

Senior and double major in Paper Science & Engineering and Chemical Engineering, Jamie Pye, was awarded a McNutt scholarship from TAPPI to help fund the chapter’s travel to the conference.

Learn more about Paper Science and Engineering at NC State.