Forestry alumna Jennifer Dunlap at the forestry centennial launch

January 24, 2008
UNB Fredericton News Release: E264
Sandra Howland, Manager, Ceremonies and Events (506) 458-7968

The University of New Brunswick is celebrating 100 years of forestry education in 2008.

The centennial festivities began this month with a launch event hosted by the faculty of forestry and environmental management. It attracted more than 160 forestry alumni, dignitaries, friends, and current and former faculty.

Guest speakers included Fredericton MP Andy Scott; the New Brunswick minister of Natural Resources, Donald Arsenault, Fredericton’s Deputy Mayor Norah Davidson-Wright, and UNB President John McLaughlin.

David MacLean, dean of forestry and environmental management, spoke on the status and future of forestry at UNB, while UNB forestry alumnus Joe O’Leary, now dean of the Warner College of Natural Resources at Colorado State University, talked about his experience at UNB and how it prepared him for the future.

“In addition to the friendly environment I found on Day 1 — and the supportive and committed faculty — it was the technical skills and abilities that I gained at UNB which prepared me for my career,” said Dr. O’Leary.

“Success is not an accident. My exposure to field-based work, analytical thinking, the ability to communicate effectively, people skills and critical thinking — it all began here.”

The launch is the first in a series of 100th anniversary events scheduled for 2008. Others include a centennial forestry conference in February, provincial alumni receptions and a forestry alumni reunion in July.

The faculty has also launched a commemorative book. Entitled, The Second Fifty 1959-2008, the book showcases the past five decades of UNB forestry, its faculty and students. They are available for $20 from Liz Whamond in the faculty of forestry and environmental management, at 506-453-4885 or whamond@unb.ca.

Although rooted in tradition, the faculty has adapted to the changing times over the years. Today, the faculty of forestry and environmental management offers three undergraduate degrees: a bachelor of science in forestry, a bachelor of science in forest engineering – which is the only program of its kind in Canada – and the new bachelor of science in environment and natural resources, which is accepting students now for a September 2008 start date.

The faculty also offers a number of graduate degrees in forestry and forest engineering at the master’s and PhD level. The newest graduate program offering is a master of environmental management.

For more information on the faculty, its programs, centennial activities and events visit www.unbf.ca/forestry/forestry100

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