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SCHOOL NOTES

Dr. Nicole Brown, assistant professor of wood chemistry, received the first place Wood Award for best poster presentation at the annual meeting of the Forest Products Society in Grand Rapids Michigan, in June 2004. Her poster was entitled, “Understanding the role of NMA distribution in crosslinking poly(vinyl acetate) latex adhesives.”

Laurie Schoonhoven, research technologist, cooperated with the Pennsylvania DCNR Bureau of Forestry to create a brochure entitled, “Penn’s Woods: An Auto Tour of Forest Demonstration Sites.” Copies are available from Bureau of Forestry district offices that can be contacted online at http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/dcontacts.aspx. A second brochure entitled “Penn’s Woods: An Auto Tour of Old Growth Forests” is available online at http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/oldgrowth/index.aspx. The Bureau of Forestry plans to distribute both brochures to tourist bureaus.

Doren Pfaff joined the School of Forest Resources in August as the staff assistant in the Extension Office.

Betty Harper, who served as instructor and coordinator of undergraduate programs, left the School at the beginning of the fall 2004 semester. She is pursuing a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration at Penn State.

Dr. Richard Yahner, professor of wildlife conservation and assistant director for outreach, was appointed chair of the Student Life Committee of the University Faculty Senate, beginning fall 2004 semester.

The SAF Student Chapter won second place in both the 2004 SAF Outstanding Student Chapter competition and the 2004 SAF Student Chapter Web Site competition. Presentations were made at the SAF National Convention in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, in October 2004.

Penn State students held an organizational meeting of the Pennsylvania State University Student Organization for Society and Natural Resources (SOSNR) in November 2004. This organization will give students a direct link to the International Association for Society and Natural Resources (IASNR). Student members will be able to develop and build professional experience with leaders working at the interface between social sciences and natural resources.

Dr. Jim Finley, professor of forest resources, was recently named co-chair of the Roundtable on Sustainable Forestry, a national committee supported by the U.S. Forest Service. Roundtable participants include public and private organizations and individuals committed to better decisionmaking through shared learning and increased understanding.

Undergraduate student Nina Cohen served as student marshal for the College of Agricultural Sciences Fall Commencement on December 18, 2004. She was accompanied by her faculty adviser Dr. Chris Goguen. Nina graduated with highest distinction in the Wildlife and Fisheries Science program.

Nina Cohen (center), Wildlife and Fisheries Science senior and student marshal for fall 2004 commencement, was honored with a Nittany Lion statue presented by, Dr. Charles Strauss (left) and Dr. Chris Goguen (right)

Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences is partnering with the Pennsylvania Forest Products Association to host the association’s bi-annual trade exposition, June 17-18. The Timber 2005 Forest Products Equipment and Technology Exposition will be held at the Ag Progress Days site at Rock Springs, on Pa. Route 45, nine miles southwest of State College. The event is supported in part with a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s Hardwoods Development Council.
     Organizers expect more than 100 commercial exhibitors at the event, which is aimed at loggers, sawmill operators, value-added processors, and forest landowners in Pennsylvania and surrounding states. Parking and admission will be free for attendees.
The event will feature new and emerging technology, on-site and ”in-the-woods” machinery demonstrations, seminars, and opportunities to visit with government and private-sector business assistance specialists. Faculty and extension specialists from Penn State’s School of Forest Resources also will offer workshops and presentations.
     For information on Timber 2005, including details on exhibiting and sponsorship opportunities, call (814) 863-2873 or visit the Web at http://patimbershow.cas.psu.edu.

Penn State | College of Agricultural Sciences | School of Forest Resources