Program Pilots New Path to Forestry & Environmental Resources Degrees

Posted on April 10, 2014 by

The Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources(FER) at North Carolina State University is excited to launch a new pilot program, CONNECT, beginning the summer of 2014. For a select group of students who do not receive admission offers for the freshman class in fall 2014, the CONNECT program offers an alternate path to becoming a student in one of the degree programs within the department. The degree programs include: Forest Management, Natural Resources (Ecosystem Assessment or Policy & Administration), Environmental Technology & Management, and Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology.

Block of 4 photos of students in forestry & environmental resources degree programs at NC State University CONNECT begins during the summer by offering these students the opportunity to explore life as a student at NC State. Once accepted into the Connect program, the students live on campus and take two courses during Summer Session II. This offers students the chance to learn about a variety of on-campus resources, meet faculty and students, and participate in hands-on field experiences.

At the end of the summer, these students then spend the subsequent fall and spring semesters attending the 2 or 4-year institution of their choice while receiving academic advising from the FER undergraduate program coordinator, Christi Standley. The students will then return to NC State the next summer to take additional courses.

Students who earn an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher will be offered guaranteed admission into the degree programs in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources without reapplying to NC State University. If a student does not earn an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher, they can apply as a transfer student.

Through the CONNECT program, students can effectively use their time and money in their first year of studies and be well prepared to enter our programs as a sophomore. The goal is to ensure that these students have accurate information about courses to take so they are eligible to transfer to NC State and be on track with credits that will count toward their specific major of interest within the department.

The FER department is excited to offer this alternate path to students who show strong qualities on their applications, so these students will be able to demonstrate their dedication and academic success, access these challenging degree programs, and achieve exciting natural resources careers.

Learn More About Connect>>

Watch a Video About Our Majors>>

PRTM Student Is NCAA Wrestling Champ

Posted on March 28, 2014 by

NC State University junior, Nick Gwiazdowski, just capped a record-breaking season by becoming the sixth NCAA wrestling champion in NC State University history.

A program management major in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, Nick’s path to NC State and the 2014 championship was one of hard work, dedication, and good choices.

Read the complete article in The Bulletin>>

NC State teams selected for this week’s ACC Startup Madness

Posted on March 18, 2014 by

Charles Grant Culbertson, Jr., a doctoral candidate in the Department of Forest Biomaterials in the NC State College of Natural Resources is part Thermaflow Solutions, one of two NC State teams representing the university at this Wednesday’s ACC Startup Madness competition.

The competition will be held at NC State’s James B. Hunt Library on Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Runoff competitions will be held throughout the day, narrowing the contestants down to the ‘Elite Eight’ who will compete in the final round beginning at 6:30 p.m. The Hunt Library is located at 1070 Partners Way on NC State’s Centennial Campus in Raleigh.

Representing NC State at the undergraduate level is Pennies 4 Progress, represented by co-founder Ryan O’Donnell, senior in the Poole College of Management.

NC State’s graduate team is ThermaFlow Solutions, a startup that leverages NC State technology to provide the latest in particle and cell analysis. The multidisciplinary team aims to disrupt industries from scientific research to heavy equipment manufacturers.

The startup team members are graduate students in the HiTEC program, part of the interdisciplinary technology entrepreneurship and commercialization concentration in Poole College’s Jenkins MGA program. Team members are:

Charles Grant Culbertson, Jr., doctoral candidate, Forest Biomaterials, December 2016, College of Natural Resources

Tristan Jung Hun Kim, Jenkins MBA candidate, May 2015,
Poole College of Management

Judd Melvin, Master of Microbial Biotechnology candidate, May 2015,
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Mukta Nag, Master of Microbial Biotechnology candidate, May 2014,
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Joseph M. Thomas, MS, Jenkins MBA candidate, May 2014,
Poole College of Management

The NC State teams will be competing against teams from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Duke University, the University of Maryland, Syracuse University, Florida State University, Georgia Tech, University of Miami, Wake Forest University, and Clemson University. Each of the universities was allowed to bring one team for each of the two divisions.

The competition schedule on March 19 begins with the first round at 10 a.m. The final ‘Elite Eight’ round begins at 5:30 pm. and winners will be announced at 6:45 p.m.

Students and the general public are invited to stop by throughout the day to view the team presentations. There is no charge for general admission but tickets are required. Register at the Startup Madness website. VIP tickets cost $50 and provide access to invitation-only reception on March 18, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at HQ Raleigh, and reserved seating at the competition on March 19. Proceeds from VIP tickets help support the entrepreneurs.

Teams from the other schools will be arriving on March 18 and gathering for a reception at HQ Raleigh at 5:30 p.m. A Leadership Roundtable has been scheduled for 4 p.m., providing the teams’ advisors an opportunity to network and share best practices.

Prizes
Following are the prizes that the winning teams will receive.
FIRST PLACE $500 Cash Flight to Silicon Valley Meeting with Kleiner Perkins 1 Free MotoX from Republic Wireless
SECOND PLACE $250 Cash Marketing Consulting from Method Savvy 1 Free MotoX from Republic Wireless
THIRD PLACE $150 Cash Venture Consulting from Bull City Ventures
FOURTH PLACE $100 Cash Venture Consulting from Idea Fund Partners

ACC Startup Madness has partnered with HQ Raleigh and Poole College to present this event. This is the second year that Poole College has been an ACC Startup Madness sponsor.

Commitment + Challenge = Awesome Students Experiencing Great Things

Posted on February 21, 2014 by rwgonzal

NC State Student Chapter of SAF in front of a giant Cypress in Congaree National Park

What do you get when you give academically motivated and naturally curious students a challenge? Well, if they are NC State students, you’ll get the opportunity to see the best of the best.

The NC State Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources encourages our students to participate in their own professional development by becoming active in professional societies and attending conferences. Over the past several years, the department has encouraged participation in the Society of American Foresters (SAF) national convention by subsidizing the students’ cost of attendance. Through the direction of their faculty advisor, Joe Roise, the NC State Student Chapter of SAF has a long tradition of organizing a pre-conference Wilderness Leadership Excursion in the area where the convention is being held.

This year, the SAF national convention was held in Charleston, SC, and the Wilderness Leadership Excursion took place in Congaree National Park. “The national park is 24,180 acres and is one of the newest parks,” explained Matthew Haunsperger, SAF Student Chapter President. “The creek is a black water system that flows through the center of the park and is lined with cypress, water tupelo, swamp laurel oak, and some of the largest loblolly pines in the nation.” Matt led, with eight other students and Joe Roise, a canoe trip down Cedar Creek through the park and onto the Congaree River.

Canoeing Cedar Creek

The group met many obstacles along the way – literally. “The water level was very low for October,” said Dr. Roise. “There were so many downed trees across the creek that we had to carry the canoes more than we had expected.” Apparently, a water moccasin thought it would add a little more excitement to the mix at one point. Each challenge, however, was met and dealt with.

“When our destination was reached 27 miles and 4 days later, we ventured to Charleston, to meet with the rest of our chapter. For many, it was their first convention and one not to forget,” said Matt. He explained that it was particularly relevant for the students to attend a southeastern conference, because they are currently studying the silviculture of that region. “The seminars allowed us to see the research and job opportunities in our area. The insight inspired students to see what paths they can follow after completion of their education,” reflected Matt.

NCSU SAF Student Chapter 2013 Quiz Bowl Team from left to right: Thomas Harris, Matthew Haunsperger, Alex Thompson, Courtney Johnson

“One of the best parts about these trips,” Dr. Roise revealed, “is getting away from campus. I get to know them, not just as my students, but as people. They are a great group, and getting to know them as people is a privilege.”

Eighteen NC State students in all participated in the 2013 SAF convention, which included a valiant effort by our Quiz Bowl Team. When possible, the department and college hosts an alumni luncheon during the convention, and this year was not an exception, since it was, relatively speaking, in our own backyard. We had a record attendance of 75 alumni, friends and students for the luncheon, which featured an update on the College of Natural Resources’ strategic planning progress by Dean Mary Watzin.

Back at school now and the weather much colder, the students who attended the wilderness excursion and/or the convention have their heads the books and their eyes on the prize of a degree in a field that they love. But their education has been enhanced by the depth of their experiences, and the breadth of their commitment keeps us in awe.

Excerpts above and quotes below from an article in The Trail Blazer, Newsletter of the Appalachian Society of American Foresters – Winter 2013-14 Edition

In their own words – about attending the national convention:

In October I had the chance to attend the Society of American Foresters national convention in Charleston, SC. This was my first time attending the convention and I believe it was a great experience. While at the convention I was able to meet with other forestry students from around the United States. It was interesting to learn about how different colleges are teaching forestry. I also had the opportunity to meet forestry professionals from around the country and learn about all the different types of jobs in the U.S. All in all it was a great experience and I hope to attend in future years. ~Anthony Moore, Forest Management, NC State

This year’s Society of American Foresters convention in Charleston SC introduced me for the first time to forestry science on a national level. Each day I interacted with outstanding students, professors, and professionals in natural resource management from across the country and around the world. The most memorable times were catching up with speakers after their presentations to discuss their topic and speaking with students and representatives from different universities offering graduate degree programs. The time to speak with leading researchers was wonderful; it gave me a personal link to the research they presented. Before the convention I was unable to make the connection between scientific article describing research projects I had read and the individuals carrying out the research. Furthermore, the representation of numerous graduate degree programs in forestry and other natural resource fields afforded me the chance to think about my future and how I will incorporate graduate studies. ~Thomas Harris, Forest Management, NC State

The most memorable part about going to the SAF National Convention is the people I meet. The convention presents so many great opportunities to network with professionals and students as well. Meeting students from around the country opened my eyes to the differences between programs, like for instance; UC Berkeley has way more women in their forestry program and very few men. I also had the chance to mingle with the other women in forestry careers, including SAF President, Mrs. Joann Cox. I met people from all four corners of the country and I can’t wait for next year’s convention to have the chance to get to know them better. ~Courtney Johnson, Forest Management, NC State

Click the image below to see the photo gallery from the trip. Problem viewing the album?

Photo Gallery – 2013 NCSU SAF Student Chapter Wilderness Expedition in Congaree National Park and SAF Convention

Morris Wins National Award, Makes Impact on Many

Posted on January 30, 2014 by rwgonzal

Hilary Morris, Graduate Student in Natural Resources, Policy and Administration

When it comes to making an impact, graduate student Hilary Morris is no stranger. That became apparent recently when it was announced that she won First Place and $500 in the Forest Science and Technology Board Student Presentation Competition at the 2013 Society of American Foresters (SAF) National Convention in Charleston, SC, which had an attendance of over 1500.

Hilary is pursuing a Master of Science degree in Natural Resources, with an emphasis on Policy and Administration. She is defending her thesis in January and will be graduating in May 2014. Her research focuses on Southeast forestry professionals’ attitudes toward climate change, and the results of her research could have important implications for future outreach efforts.

Her advisor, Mark Megalos, is Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources. “Hil is something of a superstar here. She has conducted her research while simultaneously holding an intern position with the SALCC,” Dr. Megalos remarked. “She published two extension factsheets in her first year here and has a commentary currently out for review.”

While pursuing her Master’s degree, Hilary worked as a graduate research assistant for NCSU Forestry Extension with the Pine Integrated Network: Education, Mitigation, and Adaptation Program (PINEMAP), and as a Pathways Intern for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at the South Atlantic Landscape Conservation Cooperative (SALCC). The Pathways Internship Program provides students the opportunity to stay in school, while getting paid and working in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The impacts that Hilary has already made to these organizations and the university are immense, and we look forward to following the contributions we know she will continue to make to her profession.