Harold C. Blanchard Named 2009 Distinguished Alumnus by NC State University College of Natural Resources

Posted on February 12, 2010 by kmfaber2

NEWS RELEASE – February 9, 2009
For Immediate Release:
Contact: Tilla Fearn 919.513.4644 or tilla_fearn@ncsu.edu

Butch Blanchard accepts award from natural resources dean Robert Brown The College of Natural Resources at North Carolina State University is pleased to announce the selection of our 2009 Distinguished Alumnus. Harold C. “Butch” Blanchard ’63 of Whiteville, N.C. was selected in recognition of his distinguished career as a forest manager and his many contributions to his profession, his community and the college. Blanchard accepted the honor January 29, 2010 at the NC State University Alumni Association’s “Evening of Stars” Gala in Raleigh.

Blanchard attended what was then the NC State School of Forestry on a four-year scholarship from the Continental Can Company. Later, he was awarded the George K. Slocum Scholarship. Blanchard earned five varsity letters in three track-and-field sports at NC State and was recognized as an ACC Outstanding Scholar-Athlete in 1963. Several years after graduating, Blanchard and his father, a practicing forester, began a forestry consulting business. Operating today as H.C. Blanchard and Associates, the company has provided land and timber sales, appraisals and forest management services for landowners with 275,000 wooded acres.

Harold C. "Butch" Blanchard One of Blanchard’s many contributions to the college was serving as president of the North Carolina Forestry Foundation Board of Directors. During his term, Blanchard led a reorganization and consolidation of funds that pushed foundation assets over $1 million, helped retire the mortgage debt on the Hofmann Forest and later was instrumental in establishing active management of the forest to fund numerous undergraduate and graduate scholarships.

According to Blanchard, he “was proudest at a scholarship dinner when (he) counted 26 undergraduate and graduate scholarships funded from Hofmann Forest receipts.” Blanchard left the board of directors in 1985 to assume the responsibility of Hofmann Forest manager, a position he held for 23 years. Under his management the forest returned more than $13 million to the college in needed support; support which played an incalculable role in the college’s growth into the national leader in natural resource education, research and service it is today. In addition to his support of the college over the years through his professional responsibilities – in 1998 Blanchard and his wife, Peggy, established the Harold E. and Gerda C. Blanchard Endowed Scholarship for young men and women who begin their studies at Southeastern Community College and continue their studies in natural resources at NC State University.

Blanchard is a member of the Society of American Foresters, the North Carolina Foresters Association, the North Carolina Society of Consulting Foresters, the National Woodlands Association and the Forest Farmers Association.

Active in his home community, Blanchard is a charter stockholder of Topsail National Bank and served on the board of Columbus National Bank where he assisted in its successful merger with successor Triangle Bank. When not working Blanchard acts in local theater productions and had a role in "Bastard Out of Carolina" directed by Angelica Houston; is a 12 time national sailing champion of Tanzer 16 sailboats; is a deacon, elder and sunday school teacher at Whiteville First Presbyterian Church; and played a major role in the founding of the North Carolina Museum of Forestry in Whiteville, North Carolina.

Neal Lewis Named 2009 Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management Outstanding Alumnus at NC State University

Posted on February 11, 2010 by kmfaber2

NEWS RELEASE – February 1, 2010
For Immediate Release
Contact: Tilla Fearn 919.513.4644 or tilla_fearn@ncsu.edu

The NC State University Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management (PRTM) is honored and proud to present its Outstanding Alumnus Award for 2009 to Neal Lewis of Wilmington, N.C. Director of the New Hanover County Parks Department, Lewis was selected for his personal accomplishments and his contributions to his professional and his community. Lewis accepted his award at the NC Recreation and Park Association Conference in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Lewis’s successes of particular note include a notable career as a park and recreation professional, stewardship of the environment, active contributions to his community, and mentoring of young professionals. He is a respected colleague and ambassador both for the profession and for NC State University’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management.

Lewis graduated from NC State in 1973 and began his career as Director of Carteret County Parks and Recreation Department. He then served as the Executive Director of Carteret County Chamber of Commerce until 1991. In 1993, Lewis assumed his current position with the New Hanover County Parks Department where he has provided exemplary service to the county and its citizens. For decades, Lewis has been a leader in his profession; earning the respect of professionals across the state and serving as a valuable resource with the Legislative Study Committee on Water Access, NC Waterfront Access and Marine Fund Advisory Committee, Rachel Carson NC Estuarine Reserve Advisory Committee, Fort Fisher State Park Advisory Board, Wilmington Sports Hall of Fame, Travel Council of North Carolina, and Wilmington South Rotary Club.

In addition to his leadership in his community, Lewis has served as President of the North Carolina Recreation and Park Association and has received that organization’s highest awards. While serving as the Executive Director of the Carteret County Chamber of Commerce, Lewis received the 1990 NC Chamber of Commerce Executive of the Year Award.

About the Award
The PRTM Outstanding Alumnus Award has been awarded annually since 1994 and recognizes a practicing professional who holds a degree from the Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management at NC State University. The recipient must have made recognized contributions to the advancement of the parks, recreation, tourism, sport or golf profession on a local, state or national level and who has demonstrated notable service to his or her community.

About PRTM
NC State’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management (PRTM) specializes in preparing the next generation of planning and management professionals for the fields of parks, recreation, tourism, golf and recreational sports. We teach skills that are applicable across a wide range of environments. PRTM is a national leader in research and extension activities – dedicated to finding real solutions for real problems and transferring that knowledge to help communities and people thrive.

College of Natural Resources Staff Honored for Service and Excellence

Posted on February 8, 2010 by kmfaber2

At any large and multi-faceted university, many opportunties present themselves for recognition of faculty and students. While their recognition is well-deserved, there is another group equally deserving of acclaim. Here at NC State, we know that staff are the engine that makes this place run. They bring a wealth of knowledge, enthusiam, loyalty and passion to work with them everyday. And when they do, we all benefit.

Every year, the university recognizes staff for their years of service to the State of North Carolina. Special recognition is given to those with 20 or more years of service. 2009 recipients were honored with a reception at Talley Student Center.

Recognized for their Years of Service:
Pride of the Wolfpack Winners - NC State College of Natural Resources
Front row (L to R) – 20 Years Debbie Hurst, Parks, Recreation & Tourism Mgmt and Patti Woodbury, Wood Products Extension

Back row (L to R)- 20 Years – Linda McMurray, Jim McMurray; 25 years – Tony LaPasha
All of Wood & Paper Science

Every few months, the College of Natural Resources recognizes outstanding staff with the Pride of the Wolfpack award. Because the winners are selected from nominations received throughout the year from faculty, staff and students, the Pride of the Wolfpack award means a great deal to the awardees. There is nothing like being appreciated by the people one encounters in the workplace everyday! Each winner receives a certificate and is honored at a college reception.

Recent Pride of the Wolfpack Winners

Recent recipients of the CNR Pride of the Wolfpack award include: Susan Colby and Janelle Henderson, both in Parks, Recreation & Tourism Mgmt; Barbara White, Wood & Paper Science; Joshua Steiger, Forest Biotechnology; and Crystal Walton, Tree Improvement Industry Cooperative.

Learn more about:
NC State's Service Recogition Program
NC State's Pride of the Wolfpack Recognition Program

PhD Candidate Nyeema Harris Awarded Philadelphia Zoo's Emerging Conservation Leader Award

Posted on January 22, 2010 by kmfaber2

Nyeema Harris holding fox during research project Nyeema Harris, Ph.D. candidate in the Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences Program at NC State, will be presented with the Emerging Conservation Leader Award at the Philadelphia Zoo Global Conservation Gala on March 18, 2010. Now studying carnivore/parasite population dynamics for her dissertation, Nyeema began her passion for wildlife conservation during an apprenticeship at the zoo.

Read the article in the Philadephia Tribune >>

Forestry Extension Environmental Educator Recognized for Outstanding Service by Environmental Educators of North Carolina

Posted on November 30, 2009 by kmfaber2

News Release – November 30, 2009
Media Contact – Elizabeth Burke, 703.281.6626

The Environmental Educators of North Carolina (EENC) recently honored Renee Strnad, Environmental Educator for Extension Forestry, with one of the organization’s two awards for Outstanding Service. Strnad was recognized for her efforts to support EENC’s annual conference, assisting with conference logistics and providing professional development opportunities. The Environmental Educators of North Carolina is the state’s professional organization representing environmental educators including classroom teachers, state and national park rangers, museum educators, county extension agents and other educators working in non-formal settings.

In addition to being the state coordinator for Project Learning Tree (multi-disciplinary environmental education program for educators and students in PreK-12), Strnad supports 4-H natural resource programs statewide. She is also a liaison between the College of Natural Resources at NC State University and environmental educators, sharing relevant information between the two groups. She is currently working with Wiley Elementary School in Raleigh, where students in grades 3-5 get their first glimpse of being a forester, through tree measurement classes facilitated by NC State forestry students.

Commenting on the value of environmental education, Strnad notes, “I feel like most youth today have lost their connection with the natural world, which can be detrimental as they become older and have to decide how to manage our natural resources. EE gives them that link to the natural world, and helps them perform authentic field studies that address state learning objectives across the curriculum. I think it is really amazing how students react to, and are inspired by, classes that take place in a natural setting or include the natural environment around them.”

Strnad is a graduate of Kansas State University with a dual Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Biology and Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences. She’s been with NC State University since 2000, and has been involved in environmental education since 1997.

“I am honored to receive this award. I truly enjoy being an advocate of EE in North Carolina and so glad that EENC members played a vital role this past fall to encourage the legislature to continue funding for the State Office of Environmental Education. Because of our members, EENC continues to be recognized as an exemplary professional organization for environmental educators throughout North Carolina”, she noted.

The second Outstanding Service Award was presented to Shelby Gull Laird, a Ph.D. candidate in the Forestry and Environmental Resources Department at NCSU.

For more information about EENC membership, please visit our website at eenc.org.

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Below: Renee Strnad (right) accepts her Outstanding Service Award from North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. June Atkinson
Renee receives award from June Atkinson