Contact: Harriet Laird
STARKVILLE, Miss.--Mississippi State's student chapter of the Society of American Foresters continues among the top organizations of its kind in the nation.
The 28-member university organization recently placed first in the 2009-10 SAF Student Chapter web site competition and placed third overall as the outstanding student chapter, competing among 75 chapters nationally.
The group has finished atop the overall chapter rankings for more than a decade, capturing first place in the 1996-97, 2000-01, 2003-04, and 2005-06 school years; second place in 1998-99, 2001-02 and 2004-05; and third place in 2002-03, 2007-08 and 2008-09.
With this year's accomplishments, the chapter has achieved first place for six years in web site competition. Designed and maintained by members, the site--www.cfr.msstate.edu/studentorgs/saf/--was judged on design and content, among other criteria.
All seniors, the 2009-10 officers included president Kathryn Buckley of Cary, N.C.; vice-president Drew Summers of Purvis; and treasurer Amanda Miller of DeQueen, Ark. Recent graduate Devin Rice of Satsuma, Ala. served as secretary. Assistant professor of forestry Robert Grala is chapter adviser.
Founded in 1900, SAF is the world's largest professional organization for foresters. Its 18,000 active members are engaged in a variety of programs to improve the health, productivity and use of the nation's forestlands.
The 2010 awards presentation is scheduled Oct. 29 as part of the organization's national convention in Albuquerque, N.M. Grala also will be recognized during the ceremony for his contributions to the student organization.