A.G. Raymond Forest Products Scholarship Established

Posted on February 18, 2013 by

Arthur G. Raymond, Jr.

Arthur G. Raymond, Jr. (Art), a 1969 alumnus of the College of Natural Resources, established the A.G. Raymond Forest Products Scholarship Endowment in the fall of 2012 to provide need-based undergraduate scholarships for Wood Products students in NC State University’s Department of Forest Biomaterials.

Having headed his own consulting firm specializing in wood products manufacturing and currently serving as Senior Vice President of Hooker Furniture, Art understands the importance of combining knowledge driven science with sound business practices to create usable, sustainable products for the consumer in the global market.

Art is an avid NC State supporter serving since 2002 on the NC State Natural Resources Foundation Board of Directors on the Executive Committee, Budget Committee and Chair of the Development Committee. He is also an Adjunct Professor in the College of Natural Resources and has served as a guest lecturer in Industrial Engineering, as well as, an active member of both the NC State Alumni Association and the Wolfpack Club.

This endowment will be used to provide need-based undergraduate scholarships for wood products students in the College of Natural Resources. Awards will be for one academic year and may be renewable based on specific criteria being met.

About the Department of Forest Biomaterials
NC State University’s Department of Forest Biomaterials (FB) is home to a nationally recognized wood products program with a long history of supporting wood manufacturing industries, sustainable housing and their surrounding communities and to one of the oldest and most respected paper science and engineering programs in the world. We also support a fast-growing forest biomaterials and bioenergy area, which examines the production of novel biomass resources, and develops the chemical science and engineering technology for the sustainable production of materials and energy.

The department pursues interdisciplinary teaching, research and extension activities. Our approach recognizes the scientific and engineering principles driving each area of study as well as applicable technology and business skills. Our programs also examine and acknowledge the broader sustainability issues that affect industries operating in these fields, including the financial, management and social components. All of our programs emphasize hands-on learning that identify solutions to real-world problems and developing futuristic products and environmentally friendly processes.

New Scholarship Recognizes Influence of Drs. Zobel and Kellison

Posted on February 14, 2013 by

The Richard and Rita Porterfield Charitable Trust established a scholarship endowment dedicated to the late Bruce J. Zobel and Robert C. Kellison. Drs. Zobel and Kellison, professors, mentors and friends to innumerable NC State University students over their decades of service to the profession of forestry, will be recognized in perpetuity through this endowment.

These “teachers” positively affected the lives and work of many natural resource managers here at NC State and around the world.

The endowment states, “The recipient of this scholarship should ever strive to be such a positive influence on others throughout their careers.”

Dr. Bruce Zobel

Dr. Zobel served NC State 55 years in the field of forest genetics and founded the Camcore program in gene conservation and forest genetics. During his tenure, Dr. Zobel received numerous awards including the Alexander Quarles Holladay medal for career achievements and contributions to the university.

Dr. Robert Kellison

Dr. Kellison, Professor Emeritus of Forestry, came to NC State in 1966 to pursue his MS and PhD. He joined the faculty and became a leader in the areas of forest genetics and silviculture. Because of their contributions, our natural environment as well as the populous of the world has ultimately benefited.

Paper Science and Engineering Class of 2012 Establishes Scholarship

Posted on February 12, 2013 by

Members of the NC State University Paper Science and Engineering Class of 2012 and friends have established an endowment to fund the Class of 2012 Scholarship in Paper Science and Engineering.

Michael Woolford Signs Scholarship Memorandum

On behalf of the PSE Class of 2012, student Michael Woolford signs a memorandum of understanding establishing the Class of 2012 Scholarship in Paper Science and Engineering

There were 26 graduates of this program in the 2011-12 year with 100% job placement. The Paper Science and Engineering program at NC State continues to be the largest U.S. program awarding a specific degree in Paper Science and Engineering.

“Our scholarships have enabled us to attract outstanding students to our program for almost 60 years,” according to Jennifer Piercy, Executive Director of the NC State Pulp and Paper Foundation. ” The Class of 2012 joins several other classes in setting the example of giving back to a program that presented them with unparalleled opportunities!”

Donations to this scholarship fund may be made to the NC State Natural Resources Foundation, NCSU Campus Box 8010, Raleigh, NC 27695 or you may make a secure online gift @ http://go.ncsu.edu/cnrgift . Type ” Class of 2012 Scholarship in Paper Science and Engineering” in the gift selection window.

Summerville Family Forest Research Fund Established

Posted on February 11, 2013 by

The NC State Natural Resources Foundation is pleased to announce the establishment of the Summerville Family Forest Research Fund Endowment. Kenneth (K.O.) and Pat Summerville established the endowment in January, 2013.

The research fund was established to provide funding for undergraduate and graduate students and/or professors associated with the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources in the College of Natural Resources at NC State University to research the less studied minor native tree species of North Carolina.

Endowment Signing Day (L to R) Foundation President Brenda Brickhouse, Pat Summerville, K.O. Summerville ’59, College of Natural Resources Dean Mary Watzin)

K.O. is a native of Mecklenburg County, NC and Pat is a native of Iredell County, NC. Upon graduating from NC State University, School of Forest Resources in 1959 with a B.S. degree in Forest Management, K.O. spent much of his professional career with the NC Division of Forest Resources assisting with the development and management of seed orchards in all three geographic regions. He also conducted research in improving nursery tree seedling production. K. O. retired from the division in 1998 with 34 years of services.

Pat retired in 1998 from NC Legislative Services. She had also been employed with the National Guard after attending Meredith College. They have two children living in the Triangle area.

In retirement, K. O. has continued his interest in forest activity by participating in The American Chestnut Foundation breeding program to restore chestnut to our forest. He enjoys making furniture from native tree species. The Summervilles believe this endowment will provide opportunity and encouragement for others to explore the less studied native tree species of North Carolina for use in urban sites (parks, greenways, street habitats for scenic beauty and wildlife food).

About the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources
The Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources at North Carolina State University is one of the oldest and largest schools of its kind in the US. The Department is committed to promoting the science and practice of modern forestry as well as state-of-the-art environmental resource management. It has graduated many prominent forestry and environmental policy makers, researchers, scientists, executives, field experts and academic leaders. It collaborates with other departments in the College of Natural Resources, other NC State colleges, and outside entities in research extension and academia.

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 .