Mississippi State's student chapter of the Society of American Foresters continues among the top organizations of its kind in the nation.
The 39-member university organization recently placed first in the 2005 SAF Student Chapter Web site competition and now is ranked second overall in the outstanding student chapter rankings.
The group has finished atop the overall chapter rankings for the past seven years, capturing first place in 1996-97, 2000-01 and 2003-04, second place in 1998-99 and 2001-02, and third place in 2002-03.
This is the third year that the student chapter has won first place in the Web site competition. Designed and maintained by student members, www.cfr.msstate.edu/studentorgs/saf/index.htm was judged on design and content, among other criteria.
The 2005-06 officers included president Angela Delaughter and vice president J. Tedrick Ratcliff, both of Brookhaven; secretary Katie L. Nelson of Fayette, Ala. And treasurer Stacy R. Stroud of Hollandale. Associate professor of forestry Donald L. Grebner 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 2005 awards presentation is scheduled Oct. 21 as part of the organization's national convention in Fort Worth, Texas. Grebner also will be recognized during the ceremony for his contribution to the student organization.
LOCAL EDITORS: Additional information on the officers .
Delaughter is a senior forestry major and the daughter of William and Elizabeth Delaughter;
Ratcliff, a junior forestry major and the son of James and Cynthia Ratcliff;
Nelson, a junior forestry major and daughter of Donald and Susan Nelson; and
Stroud, a junior forestry major and the daughter of Kenneth and Martha Stroud.
