In August 1998 , Curtis E. "Skip" McCollough and his wife Julie established the South Mississippi Forest Products Annual Scholarship in the College of Forest Resources. Skip McCollough is a 1979 forestry graduate. The McColloughs own and operate South Mississippi Forest Products in Hattiesburg, which they founded in 1990. He also is president of Southern Timber Resources of Louisiana Inc. The company buys timber and provides timber management assistance to private landowners throughout South Mississippi. The McColloughs decided to establish the scholarship at CFR to ensure that the education they received at MSU could be even better for tomorrow's students. The scholarship covers tuition and fee expenses for two students enrolled in any of the three departments within the college. "I feel that I attended the greatest College of Forest Resources in the country and to maintain its high standards and offer more and better opportunities for all will take efforts like this from all alumni and friends," McCollough said. "You can not undervalue the importance of giving something back to the college where we as alumni and friends have gained so much." The two say that they are proud and honored to give an annual scholarship as they "know and understand that a college education is not cheap." The McColloughs know this firsthand because daugher Stephanie currently is an MSU sophomore. McColloughs said his family has started a tradition of attending MSU and this makes them very proud. He met his wife while they were students at the university. "Skip and Julie's generosity is to be commended," said CFR Interim Dean Bob Karr. "Giving back to your college at this level at their age while running a private business and sending a daughter to college is very unusual. I hope it inspires others to do the same." McCollough said that for his family MSU not only is a tradition but also a way to a wonderful life. "Always on my mind are the days I spent at MSU. These memories are some of my fondest. The College of Forest Resources offered me the opportunity to earn my treasured degree and establish many friendships. Some days were long and difficult, but the lessons I learned have given me the knowledge to be where I am today," McCollough said.

Established an endowed scholarship in memory of an alumnus and longtime friend of the College of Forest Resources has been established. The Bynum Meeks Memorial Scholarship honors the Brookhaven resident who died in September 1999. Meeks earned his bachelor's degree in forestry from MSU in 1958. He worked as a fiber basin manager at Georgia-Pacific at the time of his death. He served as Mississippi Forestry Association president in 1987 and received a Meritorious Service to Forestry Award in 1996. He also was a member of the Society of American Foresters, and the Lincoln County Forestry Group. In addition, Meeks served on the steering committee for the Mississippi State University School of Forest Resources Building Campaign. He also was chairman of MFA's College of Forest Resources Operating Committee. He is survied by his wife Anne, sons Lee and John, and daughter Caroline, and well as his mother, a sister, and two grandchildren. "This scholarship was endowed in record time, because of very generous contributions from Mr. Meeks' family and friends," said Keith Gaskin, CFR director of development.

Mickey Little, information resources manager for Georgia-Pacific Corp., presented MSU President Malcolm Portera a donation of $30,000 for the Wood Magic Science Fair mobile classroom. The "classroom" is a 44-foot trailer equipped with all the supplies and materials needed to produce a mini-WMSF on-site at schools, forestry field days, and expositions. The moble classroom has travled to more than 30 towns in Mississippi, as well as locations in Kentucky, Arkansas, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Georgia. More than 18,000 individuals have participated in the traveling classroom's Wood Magic programs. In 1996, another Georgia-Pacific donation helped purchase the mobile classroom. The latest gift by the pulp, paper and building products business brings its total Wood Magic contributions to more than $100,000.

The inaugural Bynum Meeks Memorial Scholarship Fund Golf Tournament hosted 96 golfers at two locations. A tournament was held in Jackson last October, followed by one at the MSU Golf Course in December. Together they raised more than $18,000 for the Meeks scholarship at CFR. The tourneys were hosted by Georgia-Pacific Corp. to honor the memory of Meeks, a long time GP employee. Meeks earned his bachelor's degree in forestry from MSU in 1958.

A Mississippi Forestry Commission employee who died in the line of duty is being honored by a corporate gift to Mississippi State's College of Forest Resources. The $5,000 memorial gift in support of forestry education is part of Stihl Inc.'s 2001 National Forestry Heroism Award program honoring John Paul Pritchett Sr. of Webster County. Pritchett is recognized for extraordinary courage during a Webster County wildlife in August 2000. The commission crew chief received fatal second- and third-degree burns when a sudden wind shift trapped him in what became a pine plantation inferno. An international manufacturer of chain saws and other portable power tools based in Virginia Beach, Va., Stihl created the National Forestry Heroism Award in 1996 to honor the brave actions of individuals working in or devoting significant portions of their time to the forestry industry. James Malone of Stihl Southwest presented the check in October 2001 during the College of Forest Resources' annual Advisory Committee banquet. Company representatives earlier presented Pritchett's family a plaque, a monetary gift, an MS 440 Magnum chain saw, and a trip to the Stihl Timbersports competition in Branson, Mo. In addition to the MSU gift, Stihl is donating to a charity of the family's choice. "We deeply appreciate the gift Stihl is making to the College of Forest Resources," said Dean Sam Foster. "These funds will be used to establish a scholarship in the college for majors in forestry, forest products, or wildlife and fisheries."

A recent pledge by Starkville resident Bryce Griffis will establish an endowed scholarship in his name. Griffis, president of Sturgis Timber Co., is a longtime supporter of the College of Forest Resources and has actively promoted higher education in Mississippi. The Delta State University alumnus was a member of the state Board of Trustees, Institution of Higher Learning from 1980 until 1992, and served a one-year term as president. He is a past president of the Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers' Association, Mississippi Forestry Association, and the Mississippi Lumber Manufacturers' Association. In 1998, he was elected president of the Mississippi State Foundation board and is currently serving in that post. The Bryce Griffis Endowed Scholarship will be available to all full-time students in the College of Forest Resources. Students must demonstrate acceptable academic achievement (a minimum 3.0 grade point average) and be one of good moral character. Candidates also must illustrate leadership ability and show potential for an outstanding career in forestry, wildlife and fisheries, or in forest products. "The College of Forest Resources is grateful for the generous pledge made by Bryce. We are very proud of his commitment to forestry and Mississippi State University," said Bob Karr, interim dean.

A recent $1 million gift from a state furniture executive will help Mississippi State build a new career center for furniture manufacturing and management. The gift from Hassell H. Franklin, founder and president of Franklin Corp. in Houston, will supplement the $3 million in state funding appropriated last year for the building. Franklin Corp. is a national leader in producing reclining chairs and motion furniture. It is one of the nation's largest independently owned furniture manufacturing companies. An MSU alumnus, Franklin serves on the Furniture Research Unit Advisory Board. The Furniture Research Unit in the Forest Products Laboratory was established in 1987 by the Mississippi Legislature and is currently the largest furniture research program in North America. Research conducted by the unit is estimated to save the state's manufacturers more than $3 million annually. The university will propose to the state Board of Trustees, Institutions of Higher Learning, that the building be named the Franklin Center for Furniture Manufacturing and Management. The center will house an indisciplinary program to draw on the strengths of the colleges of forest resources, business and industry, and engineering. The planned 30,000 square foot facility will contain research laboratories, classrooms, an auditorium, and office space. Architects are currently designing the building with construction scheduled to begin in spring 2001.

A longtime friend of the College of Forest Resources and an MSU alumnus recently contributed $100,000 to establish the Davis and Ann Mortensen Endowed Scholarship. Davis, a 1956 graduate of MSU, recently retired from Georgia-Pacific Corp. During his tenure at GP, he advanced from being a young industrial engineer in Crossett, Ark., to having responsiblity for almost half of GP's 52,000 employees, the company's six million acres of timber holdings, its manufacturing facilities, and the sales and distribution of products. In 1989, Davis received Georgia-Pacific's coveted Distinguished Service Award for the "important role he played in helping GP grow and prosper." Davis and Ann have been lifelong friends to the College of Forest Resources. In 1993, the Mortensens contributed to the construction of Thompson Hall and a laboratory bears a plaque recongnizing the couple. When establishing the scholarship, Davis said, "There are a lot of high school students who may not have the opportunity to go to college without a scholarship. We hope we are helping some worthy students who might not be able to attend Mississippi State, otherwise." The College of Forest Resources is grateful to the Mortensens for their continuted support. "The Mortensens have been friends of the college for many years and most recent gift reaffirms their passion for natural resources and the College of Forest Resources," said Bob Karr, associate dean. The scholarship is open to all CFR students. Applicants must be full-time students, have a composite ACT score of 26 or greater, have records of academic achievement, and demonstrate leadership skills.

A recent contribution by the Mississippi Forestry Association is facilitating the establishment of the Ozier Endowed Scholarship. The gift to the College of Forest Resources helps establish a scholarship in memory of Ann Ozier and in honor of Dr. Terry Ozier of Brandon. Longtime friends to the CFR, the Oziers are being recongnized for their commitment to forestry in Mississippi. Dr. Ozier, a veterinarian, first became interested in tree farming for the long-term investment aspects it provides. In 1958-59, the Oziers bought their first tract of land - 1,800 acres of crop land and unproductive forest land in Rankin County. The husband and wife partners immediately set out pine trees, planting most of the seedlings by hand. They also applied herbicide to their forest, conducted prescribed burns on the property and calculated forest inventories. Some 30 years after starting their tree farm, the Oziers were named the Mississippi OutstandingTree Farmers of the Year and then went on to be named the Nation's Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year. The CFR is proud to be associated with tree farmers such as the Oziers and honors them for their commitment to forestry.

Mississippi State recently dedicated the John and Jane Player Walnut Facility near the Natchez Trace Parkway. The dedication ceremony was held in April at the facility, located near the parkway's mile marker 132, with the Players in attendance. The couple donated the 59 acres adjoining the parkway in Madison County to further walnut research in the state. The players also made the initial $1 million pledge during Mississippi State's first capital campaign. The College of Forest Resources received the gift to create the Jane and John Player Endowment to support walnut research and technology development at Mississippi State. The fund was established for funding research and graduate instruction applicable to production of black walnut. The players have devoted considerable time, effort, and resources to the growing of walnut trees on their farm in Madison and on surrounding land owned in Madison County. Mr. Player, a retired consulting geologist and a 1940 graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder, began experimenting with walnut trees more than a decade ago as a hobby. He approached Mississippi State to further the project, he said, because of the university's strong program in forestry. "John and Jane Player have had a vision for the growth and production of walnut trees and their products as a source of economic development in the rural parts of Mississippi," said Dr. Sam Foster, dean of the College of Forest Resources. "Their generous gift to the college will aid future generations of Mississippi citizens as they seek ways to gain value from their land." The university and the college also recognized the Players during a spring campus event that outlined walnut research progress. "The foresight and generosity of the Players in establishing and endowment for walnut research has made possible the work in conservation, improvement, and regeneration of this highly-valued native tree species," said Dr. Emily B. Schultz, associate professor of forestry. "Black walnut has received very little attention in the Deep South except for the harvest of highly valued individual trees. Very little is known about its distribution, growth, and site requirements in Mississippi, but its potential for providing income opportunities for landowners is substantial," she said. Schultz said Mississippians have expressed increasing interest over the last several years in growing walnut trees, and the comprehensive research program funded by the Players' gift will help landowners identify proper planting sites, employ appropriate management practices, and project economic returns. "Identification of superior natives trees coupled with efforts in regeneration and improvement will help assure the conservation of one of Mississippi's valuable natural resources," she said. Without the Players' gift, this new income opportunity for Mississippi landowners would not be realized," Schultz said.

Friends and family of the late Mark A. Schmoll have established the Mark A. Schmoll Memorial Endowed Scholarship in the College of Forest Resources. Schmoll was an undergraduate student in the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. On April 9, 1998, Schmoll died in a drowning accident while radio-tracking wood duck broods at the Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge. Schmoll's family and friends established the scholarship in memory of his passion for wildlife and dedication to the wildlife profession. "We are very appreciative of the leadership role that Dr. Rick Kaminski took in soliciting and securing the funds needed to endow this scholarship," said Keith Gaskin, CFR director of development. The endowed scholarship will be awarded annually to an outstanding Mississippi State undergraduate student in wildlife science/ management who shows promise of an outstanding career in the wildlife profession.

Confucius once said, "Choose a job you love and you'll never have to work a day in your life." This could be a good description of Steve May's job as chief forester and vice president of Delaney Development Inc. A 1977 graduate in Forest Resource management, May has worked for the Delaney family for around 17 years and hasn't tired of what he does. "I love my job and my work is probably nearer my hobby than anything you will find," he said. May's job is to manage some 65,000 acres of timberland owned by the Delaneys through their myriad of corporations based in Mobile, Ala. Delaney Development is owned by three siblings: W.R. and J.R. Delaney, and Darlene Frost. Their timberland is located in both Mississippi and Alabama. "Delaney Development Inc. is one of the largest, non-industrial timberland holdings in Alabama," May said. "The Delaneys manage their land to both maximize recreational income through hunting leases and for aesthetics." In fact, Delaney Development leases hunting land to approximately 34 hunting clubs and manages timber stands of all ages. This includes pine saw timber approximately 80 years old and hardwood logs up to 150 years old. The bulk of the land that the Delaneys own was purchased by May in his role as vice president and chief forester. "The Delaneys have a strong interest in bottomland hardwoods. The corporation owns approximately 15,000 to 18,000 acres of prime bottomland hardwood along the Tombigbee River in Alabama," May said. Thanks to May's influence on his employers, the Delaney Foundation recently contributed more than $20,000 towards Dr. Andy Ezell's research in bottomland hardwood management. "The Delaneys have provided the support and an outstanding opportunity for research on oak regeneration that will benefit landowners throughout the South," said Ezell. "They have provided us with hardwood forested areas to work in, and they have made a commitment to us to use these areas over a prolonged period of time." In addition to encouraging the Delaneys to support Ezell's research, May has also made an effort to give back to his alma mater. "The College of Forest Resources means everything to me," May said. "I think it is important to give back to the college. Alumni owe their profession to this school."

For the first time this fall, a scholarship is available to CFR students in recongnition of longtime employee Susan Jordon. Susan died in 1997 at the age of 43. Susan's family and friends established the Susan Jordon Endowment Memorial Scholarship to honor her and recognize her 15 years of service to CFR. The scholarship is offered to full-time forestry majors who have demonstrated academic achievement, good moral character, and leadership ability by their involvement in student organizations. During her years as staff assistant in the Office of Student Services, Susan epitomized the spirit of service to the university, the college, and the students. She recruited and advised students, kept the faculty up-to-date on changes in academic policy, maintained all student records (by hand), processed all transfer credits, organized college-wide scholarship program, and made sure students met their degree requirements. Susan was the first person most students met upon their arrival, and she was the last person they saw as they made their way to graduation. In between, she was the preson students turned to for advice, counsel, or just to get something off their chests. To the students, she was part mother, part big sister. To the faculty, she was simply "The Answer Lady." In addition to her official duties, Susan was the unofficial coordinator of all of the CFR's student organizations. She had the greatest respect and admiration for those students who worked hard for such organiations while they maintained high grade-point averages. Anyone wishing to contribute to the Susan Jordon Endowed Memorial Scholarship may contact Keith Gaskin at 662-325-3815 or at kgaskin@cfr.msstate.edu.