FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 28, 2015

For More Information:
Glenville State College
Public Relations Department
(304) 462-4115

GLENVILLE, WV - The Glenville State College Land Resource Department recently was awarded its third grant from the Weyerhaeuser Company to purchase forestry tools to be used in GSC’s Forest Technology program. This year’s grant follows those awarded in 2011 and 2012, and will be used to purchase a laser dendrometer, a device used when estimating the area and volume of a forested plot.

"Grants from Weyerhaeuser have been very useful in upgrading our instruments in the Forest Technology program. We introduce the forestry students to some of the most common tools that are being used in the forest industries. Hence, it is crucial that students become proficient in the use of all the available forestry tools as part of their learning experience. Using a laser dendrometer to measure diameter at any point on the tree and height will facilitate efficient data acquisition in the field for all student projects," said Associate Professor of Forestry Dr. Rico Gazal.

Gazal credits Weyerhaeuser and other institutions for helping GSC's program stay on the forefront with cutting-edge forestry tools and equipment for use in lab classes to give students vital hands-on learning experiences.  He also explained that GSC’s forestry program has been further enhanced by having Jimmy Jenkins as a guest speaker in several technical courses for the program. Jenkins, a raw materials specialist at the Weyerhaeuser mill in Heaters, West Virginia, is also a member of GSC's Forest Technology Program Advisory Committee.

"Previous and current support by the Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund continues to benefit our students and the forest industry. The Weyerhaeuser Company’s generous support represents the best in industry and academic relationships, and is greatly appreciated," said Professor of Environmental Science and Land Resources Department Chair Dr. Milan Vavrek.

"It is great to have these instruments at our disposal. Now we will not only learn the old way to collect forest data, but the most current one as well. This means that when we eventually leave college and get a job in the forest industry we will be able to use any of the tools they give us to complete the job at hand with confidence," said freshman forest technology major Quincy Band.

Students enrolled in the Glenville State College Land Resources program may choose from concentrations in applied science, business management, criminal justice, environmental science, forest technology, landman technology, and land surveying technology. For more information about the grant and the program, contact Vavrek at Milan.Vavrek@glenville.edu or (304) 462-6375.