NEWS

Louisiana Tech University placed fourth overall at the 66th Annual Southern Forestry Conclave, hosted by Alabama A&M University last month.

The event brought together students from 13 forestry schools. Stephen F. Austin State University took first place overall, followed by NC State and Virginia Tech, which edged Louisiana Tech by a single point — 209 to 208 — for third place.

The competition included both technical and physical events. Technical events featured compass and pacing, dendrology, diameter breast height estimation, insects and diseases, pole classification, timber estimation, wildlife, and wood technology. Physical events included archery, axe throwing, bow sawing (men’s and women’s), chain throwing, crosscut sawing (men’s, women’s, and Jack and Jill), knife throwing, log birling, log chopping (men’s and women’s), log rolling, pole climbing, and pole felling.

A highlight in the technical competition was Louisiana Tech’s Aaron Buffington earning first place in dendrology. Tech placed third in the physical events. Notable finishes included Craig Hunnicutt and Joseph Hayes placing second in chain throwing and Reagan Hendricks and Hayes placing second in Jack and Jill crosscut sawing. Third-place finishes went to Seth Williams (knife throwing), Jacob Otwell (archery), and Parker Bruce (men’s log chopping).

“Conclave is an important activity for students because it engages them in extracurricular activities that allow for connection opportunities with other students from universities across the nation that will be working for similar forestry companies in the future,” said Joseph Hayes, a senior forestry major from Mansura and president of the Forestry Club.

Reagan Hendricks, a senior forestry major from Shreveport, added, “What I enjoyed the most about Conclave is getting to see and have a friendly competition with multiple schools, being able to build that bond with each of your teammates by cheering them on, and winning our events. While we were in Alabama, you could see and feel each of the teams starting to create that bond, which turns into contacts within the forestry community. The schools near and far have created a stronger connection between students and advisors, which we hope will continue for years down the road.”

Other participating institutions were Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Alabama A&M, Auburn University, Louisiana State University, Louisiana Tech, Stephen F. Austin State University, the University of Arkansas at Monticello, the University of Florida, the University of Georgia, the University of Tennessee, Mississippi State University, North Carolina State University, and Virginia Tech.

Forestry faculty Dr. Bill Patterson and Dr. Nan Nan attended the conclave with the students and served as judges for several events.

“It is great to see the competitive spirit of the students from the southern forestry schools,” Patterson said. “These students will end up working with each other for companies such as Weyerhaeuser, Rayonier, and Hood Industries, who visited with the students at Conclave.”

“I am so proud of our Forestry Club’s accomplishments at Conclave,” he added. “The students practiced all year long, and their efforts resulted in a good showing.”