Hofmann Forest Letter from Dean Mary Watzin

Posted on January 23, 2013 by

The following letter was emailed to College of Natural Resources alumni on January 22, 2013.

Dean Mary Watzin

A Message From Dean Mary Watzin
January 22, 2013

I write to let you know that the Natural Resources Foundation Board of Directors has unanimously recommended the sale of the Hofmann Forest in its entirety, assuming price and other considerations can be met, for the specific support of the mission of the College of Natural Resources.

I also want to reassure you that any sale of the Hofmann will be consistent with the values of the College, which include retaining the name in recognition of the legacy of the Forest to the College. The goal is to sell the property as a working forest. The College hopes to retain access to the property by faculty and students for teaching and research. My commitment to forestry education, research and outreach as core elements of the programming of the CNR is strong.

In deciding about the future of the Hofmann, the Foundation (and the College) has considered which options would provide the greatest good for the largest number of CNR students, our faculty and staff, and our professions, over the long term. The College is currently experiencing significant growth and has strong ambitions. Keeping current programs strong and leveraging new opportunities for the College will only be possible with additional cash flow. A more diversified portfolio of investment could provide a higher and more consistent level of support to the College.

The Hofmann Forest is a tremendous asset to the College of Natural Resources, and I understand some of you have fond memories of your time there. As you will recall, the Hofmann was acquired shortly after the forestry program at NCSU was founded and it was named in honor of the program’s founding dean. Initially, the Forest was used for teaching purposes, with students spending a summer in eastern North Carolina at the Hofmann to learn forestry. In the late 1950’s, summer camp was moved permanently to Hill Forest near Durham. Last year, the College invested about $1.5 million in upgrading the facilities at Hill Forest. Today, a relatively small number of CNR faculty and students use the Hofmann Forest for teaching and research. The low rate of use is in part because of the distance of the Hofmann Forest from the campus.

Currently, the primary role of the Hofmann Forest is as an investment, with earnings supporting scholarships and the academic and research programs of the College. It is managed by the Natural Resources Foundation as a commercial forest. Although the Foundation staff has done an outstanding job of managing the Hofmann Forest over the last decade, we are at a competitive disadvantage compared to large commercial operations, which have greater resources to manage in the face of a changing business climate.

The current rate of return from the Hofmann is less than what might be achieved from a diversified investment portfolio. A diversified portfolio would also lessen the risks associated with fires, hurricanes, droughts, and invasive species.

The mission of CNR is teaching, research and outreach. While we cherish our history with the Hofmann Forest, the reputation of the College is not based on this land ownership; it is instead the direct result of the stature and quality of the faculty and the teaching, research, and outreach programs we deliver.

I ask for your patience and your trust as we move forward with this process, which will unfold over the coming months.

With best wishes,

Mary C. Watzin
Dean, College of Natural Resources
North Carolina State University

Say Hello to 2012 Rolleo!

Posted on November 2, 2012 by rwgonzal

NC State Forestry Club Members Pair up for Jack & Jill Crosscut at 2010 Rolleo

On Saturday, November 17, North Carolina State University’s Forestry Club will host the 2012 Rolleo at Schenck Memorial Forest in Raleigh, NC. The NC State Forestry Club has a long tradition of organizing this fall forestry and timbersports competition to help sharpen their skills in preparation for Southern Forestry Conclave in the spring. Having just hosted the 2012 Southern Forestry Conclave on campus in March, the NC State Forestry Club is poised to put on the best ever Rolleo this year. This will be the third year that it will be held at Schenck Memorial Forest, which has been very popular because of its close proximity to NC State’s campus, great event staging, and ample parking (sorry, no dogs are allowed at Schenck Forest).

Haywood Community College Woodsmen’s Team Prepares for Log Roll at the 2009 Rolleo

“We are excited to host Haywood Community College, Montgomery Community College, University of Tennessee, and Virginia Tech as our guests at Rolleo this year,” said Travis Howell, President of the NC State Forestry Club. “We are seeing a growing interest in joining the Forestry Club from NC State students and for competing at Rolleo from other schools,” he added.

That is largely due, no doubt, to the superb job they did hosting the 2012 Conclave and the tremendous showing that NC State students have had during the past few years in the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Collegiate Series, which is aired on TV. Victor Wassack (’12 Forest Management) won the Southern Collegiate Championship in 2012, and Logan Scarborough (’10 Forest Management) took the 2010 Southern and National Collegiate Championship titles and is now pro status.

Logan Scarborough (left) and Victor Wassack behind the scenes at the 2012 STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Southern Qualifier hosted by NC State. Victor won the collegiate competition, giving much thanks to his friend and mentor, Logan, who competed as a Pro.

“We are very proud of Victor and Logan,” said the club’s faculty advisor, Dr. Joe Roise. “NC State is the home of timbersports champions, and our current students will be an exciting group to watch over the next few years, because they are very focused and cohesive.”

Rolleo pits the competing schools’ teams against each other in a variety of events. Academic/technical events include dendrology, timber volume estimation, photogrammetry and more. Physical events include archery, axe throw, cross-cut saw, underhand chop, and many other old-fashioned lumberjack skills.

Rolleo is fun for contestants and spectators, alike. The Forestry Club invites all students, staff, faculty, alumni, friends and family to join in the fun! Academic/technical events will begin around 8:30am, followed by the physical events. There is no cost for attendance, but you can purchase a Rolleo T-Shirt onsite to help support the club. Lunch will be available for $3, and if you are staying for dinner and the awards ceremony that evening, you may purchase a catered dinner at cost (estimated at $8-$10). Please contact Travis Howell (tlhowell@ncsu.edu) if you are planning to stay for dinner so that he can notify the caterer. The club wishes to thank Signlogic of Elizabethtown for help with the t-shirts and alumnus Fred Hardin for his help in obtaining wood for the competition.

If you are an alum and wish to compete with other alumni at Rolleo, please contact Travis for more information. Whether competing or just watching, the Forestry Club hopes everyone will come out and support forestry, timbersports, and all of the contestants!

Location:

Schenck Memorial Forest Location on Google Maps
Carl Alwin Schenck Memorial Forest, Raleigh, North Carolina 27607

Media Contact: Travis Howell, NC State University Forestry Club President

Piercy Named Pulp and Paper Foundation Executive Director at NC State University

Posted on September 11, 2012 by

Ms. Jennifer Parr Piercy, ’94, has been named Executive Director of the Pulp and Paper Foundation at NC State University where she will also lead recruiting and alumni relations activities for the Paper Science and Engineering Program in the College of Natural Resources. Piercy will be working with this respected paper program during its transformation into a biomaterials leader in a growing natural resources-based economy.

Piercy is a product of the Paper Science and Engineering program at NC State. She was recruited as a student in Owensboro, Kentucky by long-time former foundation director, Ben Chilton. Alumnus John Pritchard issued the invitation to the recruiting session in Hawesville, Kentucky where she was introduced to the world of paper. Following her first student work experience in the paper industry in the summer of 1989, Piercy worked five internships. She later served as Operations Manager for a tissue machine for P&G in Albany, GA and five years in the MBA Career Services Center at the University of Virginia.

The Paper Science and Engineering program at NC State is now almost 60 years old and has approximately 1400 alumni working throughout the world. Ms. Piercy recently told a group of incoming freshmen, “You are beginning a life-long relationship with the most exciting, innovative and hard working people you can imagine. There is no place like NC State and no place like the paper industry.” Sounds like just the right philosophy for the position!

Piercy is excited about working for her alma mater, reconnecting with old friends and meeting the challenges ahead. She can be reached by phone at 919-515-7709 or by email at jmpiercy@ncsu.edu .

Alumnus Named to NC Recreation and Park Authority

Posted on August 23, 2012 by

Paul Herbert, a recent graduate of the Park, Recreation & Tourism Management (PRTM) Professional Masters program at NC State University, was recently appointed as a member of the North Carolina Recreation and Parks Authority by recommendation of the Speaker of the House. The 15-member Authority makes decisions on how money from the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund is allocated.

As one of 15 appointed members serving a three year term of office, his powers and duties will include: Receiving public and private donations and funds for deposit into the fund; Allocating funds for land acquisition; Allocating funds for capital projects; Soliciting financial and material support; Developing effective support for parks and recreation; and Advising the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources on any matter he may refer to the General Assembly.

“I am thrilled to have been appointed to this important public body.” says Herbert.
“It is important that professionals in the field serve with other volunteer citizens to ensure great parks and recreation experiences for all North Carolinians. My recent PRTM Professional Masters degree experience at NCSU has been helpful in understanding current research and trends in the field and will serve me well in being a better-informed and knowledgeable Parks and Recreation Authority member.”

Herbert is a principal at Recreation Consulting Solutions and a past director and supervisor of several cultural arts programs in the Charlotte/Mecklenburg County, North Carolina area.

More about Paul Herbert @ http://www.linkedin.com/in/2011paulherbert

-fearn-

Fellowship To Support Park and Recreation Professionals Pursuing Advanced Degrees

Posted on May 23, 2012 by

The NC State Natural Resources Foundation is pleased to announce the founding of the Susie Deazley Walston and Mac Walston Fellowship. The fellowship will support current professionals who wish to seek an advanced degree in the area of parks and recreation from the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management(PRTM) at NC State University. The fellowship is the result of a generous gift by Susie and Mac Walston of Virginia Beach.

Susie Deazley Walston is a 1973 NC State graduate in Recreation Park Administration. Early in her career she saw the need for an advanced degree and earned a master’s degree at George Washington University in Public Administration. Susie retired in 2011 with 38 years of public service at the municipal level in such capacities as Parks and Recreation Director, Organizational Development Director and Deputy City Manager for Virginia Beach, Virginia. Though, not directly involved with Parks and Recreation in the later stages of her career, Susie remained active in the Virginia Recreation and Parks Society and continues to support NC State’s PRTM department who honored her with the PRTM Outstanding Alumnus Award in 2003.

Mac Walston started college at East Carolina University but dropped out to join the U. S. Marine Corps. He received a Presidential Unit Citation (Vietnam), Navy Achievement Medal with Combat “V” and Purple Heart for his service. He founded and was Head Coach of the Tidewater Aquatic Club (US Swimming Association). His 25-year parks and recreation career was in Newport News, Virginia where he served as Golf Course Manager; Marina, Beaches & Pools Manager; and Recreation District Supervisor.

Susie and Mac met while working in Newport News and have been married for over 38 years. They believe parks and recreation is vital to a community’s quality of life.

About Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management at NC State
PRTM specializes in preparing planning and management professionals for the fields of parks, recreation, tourism, golf and recreational sports. One of three departments in the College of Natural Resources, PRTM teaches skills that are applicable across a wide range of environments and prepare our graduates to be the leaders in the next generation of park, recreation, tourism and sport professionals.

PRTM is a national leader in research and extension activities in the areas of Livable Communities and Healthy Living, Sustainable Tourism and Economic Development, and the Human Dimensions of Built and Natural Environments. The faculty, staff, and students are dedicated to finding real solutions to real problems and transferring that knowledge to help communities and people thrive.

-fearn-

For more information, contact:
Tilla Fearn, Communication Director, (919) 513-4644