THE 2017 ANNUAL REPORT IN THIS ISSUE: Summer 2018 Trees of the future Warnell alums change forestry one seedling at a time Distinguished Alumni: Andy Stone and Dan Forster Alumni on the Job Ben Hornsby A Message from the Dean Summer a chance to LOVE reflect on achievements and future changes WARNELL? t is now mid-June with the Georgia summer weather pattern firmly in Iplace—a good time to reflect on the accomplishments of another strong year Kendra does. of research, teaching and outreach at the Warnell School. Our talented and successful students continue to set the bar ever higher. Fisheries master’s student Guy Eroh received both the Udall Award and the Goldwater Awards. These are nationally competitive awards, and receiving both is truly a unique accomplishment. He will use the awards to further his graduate research. On the faculty side, James Beasley was selected for the Fred Davison Early Career Research Award— Choosing Warnell was easy, said Kendra Jenkins. As a student who relies on financial assistance to Warnell’s second year in a row for a faculty member to earn this recognition. Michael Yabsley received a Creative Research pay for school, Jenkins isn’t just grateful for the Medal for his impactful work with Guinea worm in Africa. Michael Tarrant received the Richard Reiff Internationalization Warnell scholarship she won in 2017. She’s also Award for his leadership of our successful Discover Abroad program. Kim Coder was recognized with the Walter Barnard grateful for the encouragement and enthusiasm Hill Fellow Award—UGA’s highest award for public service and outreach. David Moorhead is receiving the Forest from alumni and donors eager to help the next Landowners Association Extension Forester of the Year Award this month. generation of natural resource leaders. Thanks to our generous supporters and matches from the senior administration, we also endowed two professorships this past fiscal year. A gift from Laura Devendorf made possible the John Porter Stevens Distinguished Professorship in Water “We get to make the forest and nature our Resources that will be held by Rhett Jackson. The Terrell Professorship in Wildlife was made possible by income from the classrooms, where we have the chance to ex- Charles Terrell property given years ago, and Michael Chamberlain will be the inaugural holder of it. plore, research and develop new conservation and sustainability methods. Warnell prepares us You will soon hear of new faculty searches underway as we take steps to fill positions of key members who have or will well as we go out into the job force and make our soon retire. Jon Caulfield retired after 2018’s spring semester and Tom Harris has similar plans before the year ends. mark in the natural resources fields, and I am so Dave Moorhead and Ben Jackson have announced January 2019 retirement dates. Larry Morris and Karl Miller are grateful to have a part in that.” considering later 2019 dates. Each will be missed—but they leave lasting legacies as well. I am meeting with the faculty in each discipline group this summer to do some visioning and discuss our options to strongly position us for the future in Kendra Jenkins, BSFR ‘18 research, teaching and outreach as we hire new faculty. Fisheries & Wildlife, Pre-Vet This fall we will offer a newly revised outdoor recreation major now named parks, recreation, and tourism management, as well as a new curriculum in community forestry and arboriculture under our natural resource management and PRESERVE THE FUTURE sustainability major. Stakeholders in both of these areas have shown great interest in these curricula and helped launch them by assisting with field courses and offering student internships. We will be aggressively marketing these and our other majors to recruit talented students. As always we appreciate your directing promising students to us when you can. There are many ways to give back, and we would love to help you discover how you can make a Change is inevitable—but we get to decide how we respond to it. With your continued support, together we will adapt to meaningful impact. changes in ways that will further strengthen our top programs and grow some other strong ones alongside them. We look forward to hearing from you and seeing many of you this fall when you visit campus. warnell.uga.edu/giving Go Dawgs! Dale Greene, Dean Summer 2018 1 On the cover: Technology has changed how forest owners grow trees, and two Warnell alumni have been at the forefront of these FEATURES new, improved seedlings. Illustration by Wade Newbury Table of Contents photo: The Georgia Bulldogs had a winning season, and UGA honors Warnell professors Warnell alumni came home in droves to cheer them on 5 Homecoming weekend—and to celebrate being Warnell Dawgs. Photo by Wade Newbury The Log magazine staff: New name, new focus for Parks, Recreation and 10 Editor/Writer Tourism Management major Sandi Martin Contributing Writer April McDaniel On the Cover: Two Warnell alumni are at the 16 Senior Graphic Designer Wade Newbury forefront of how technology is changing forestry How are we doing? We welcome letters to the editor and feedback from our Student clubs dominate at conclave competitions readers. Submit news items, questions or address changes to: 22 [email protected] The Log 30 Warnell honors two alumni with Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources distinguished honors 180 E. Green St. IN EVERY ISSUE University of Georgia Athens, GA 30602 April McDaniel steps into alumni director role School News 33 4 THE LOG is an Alumni Association publication. It is published twice a year in 6 Faculty Q&A: Elizabeth Benton the summer and winter. 2017 Annual Report 40 Warnell on the Web: 12 Research Notes www.warnell.uga.edu 20 Student News 26 Ben Hornsby, Alumni on the Job WARNELL SCHOOL OF FORESTRY AND NATURAL RESOURCES ADMINISTRATION Dale Greene, 34 Class Notes Dean Robert Bringolf, 37 Obituaries Associate Dean of Academic Affairs Mike Mengak, Associate Dean for Outreach Scott Merkle, Associate Dean for Research Gary Green, Assistant Dean of Student Services Bridget Harden, Director of Development April McDaniel, Director of Alumni Relations Bob Izlar, Director of the Harley Langdale Jr. The University of Georgia does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, Center for Forest Business color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, Anuj Sinha, genetic information or military service in its administrations of educational Director of Finance and Administration policies, programs, or activities; its admissions policies; scholarship and loan programs; athletic or other University-administered programs; or employment. Mike Hunter, Inquiries or complaints should be directed to the Equal Opportunity Office 119 Director of Lands and Facilities 2 The Log Holmes-Hunter Academic Building, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602. Telephone 706-542-7912 (V/TDD). Fax 706-542-2822. School News A changing of the guard: Bringolf, Jackson Warnell professors win prestigious honors step into new roles at Warnell rs. James Beasley and outreach. Since coming to UGA in 1985, Dr. Coder rs. Robert Bringolf and Rhett Jackson are whatever I can to maintain and enhance our DMichael Yabsley were both has been recognized internationally for taking complex Dfinding themselves in unfamiliar territory strong trajectory.” Bringolf plans to stay connect- recognized for their outstanding con- academic research materials and making them under- these days. Both have stepped into new positions ed with students by remaining active in teaching tributions to research. Dr. Puneet standable to a lay audience. His work has helped ar- at Warnell that will help shape undergraduate and research, though in a limited capacity. Dwivedi was honored by the Office borists, urban foresters, tree health care providers and and graduate education at the school. of Sustainability, and Dr. C.J. Tsai property owners take better care of their trees. Robert Bringolf Jackson said the graduate program is already was just one of three UGA profes- Bringolf is now the new associate dean for running so well he’s very pleased and optimistic sors named Fellows of the American Dwivedi, an assistant professor of sustainability scienc- academic affairs, taking over for Dr. Steven about his new position. “The graduate program Association for the Advancement of es in the Warnell School, was named the 2018 UGA Castleberry, who has opted to return to teach- administrator, Kate DeDufour, and her assis- James Beasley Science. And Dr. Kim Coder was Outstanding Faculty winner by Sustainable UGA. The ing and research. Bringolf had been serving tant, Shira Hersonsky, both manage the graduate honored for his outreach work. Office of Sustainability each year BURY as Warnell’s graduate coordinator—a position program so well that I’m hoping I will just be a W recognizes those who “go above and E Jackson will now take over. cheerleader and figurehead!” N Beasley, assistant professor in the beyond to demonstrate dedicated ADE Savannah River Ecology Laboratory efforts to conserve natural resources, Bringolf said he’s thrilled about his new position Bringolf, professor of fish biology and ecotoxicol- W BY and Warnell, is the 2018 Fred C. advance sustainability initiatives and at Warnell. “I’m humbled and grateful to have ogy, has been with Warnell since 2008, and took Davison Early Career Scholar Award improve quality of life, both on and the opportunity to serve the Warnell School in on the graduate coordinator job in 2015. HOTOS P this role,” Bringolf said. “It’s truly an honor and winner. He incorporates modern off-campus.” Rhett Jackson a blessing to be a part of a community of faculty, Jackson, the John Porter Stevens Distinguished field techniques to study the spatial Professor of Water Resources, joined Warnell in ecology and population dynamics Tsai won an honor bestowed by their staff and students that excel in so many ways.