In response to the growing need for sustainable solutions in the wood products sector, the College of Forestry announces a one-of-a-kind Professional Science Master’s program: Wood Innovation for Sustainability. Offered entirely online through Ecampus, this flexible, 45-credit program is designed for working professionals ready to lead in a transforming industry.
With two specialized options — Mass Timber and the Timber Circular Economy — students gain hands-on knowledge in technical operations, communication, leadership and ethical project management. Whether the goal is to drive sustainability efforts, innovate in wood-based construction, or retrain a workforce, this program offers practical, industry-aligned training tailored for real-world impact.
Each option is also available as a stand-alone 20-credit graduate certificate, allowing professionals to quickly build expertise in a specific area. The Mass Timber and Timber Circular Economy certificates can be completed independently or stacked and applied toward the full master’s degree, offering a flexible pathway to graduate education that meets professionals where they are.
Built for flexibility and relevance, the program empowers learners to stay ahead in a dynamic global market.
“This program responds to growing pressure across the forest and building sectors to be more sustainable and innovative,” said Mariapaola Riggio, associate professor of wood design and architecture and program director. “Depending on the option or focus area you choose—Mass Timber or the Timber Circular Economy—you’ll dive into different aspects of that transformation, from faster, safer, low-emissions construction to renewable material use across the supply chain. It will enable professionals to be changemakers in a low-carbon, wood-based future.”
This year’s Dean’s dinner was a celebration of our scholarship recipients, outstanding alumni, donors, and college community. To get the awards ceremony started, the 2025 outstanding alumni, Jesse Paris, Dr. Jerry Franklin and Doug Mays, were honored.
Student Jessica Lindley presented Dana Warren with The Aufderheide Excellence in Teaching award
Two faculty awards honor the dedication shown by those who support students in the College. The Julie Kliewer Excellence in Mentoring went to Randy Rosenberger. His nominator wrote, “Randy taught me great skills that I applied to earn my dream job and academic success at OSU. He is the reason I am a great leader in my clubs and academics on campus. I owe a lot of my success to Randy.” The Aufderheide Excellence in Teaching went to Dana Warren. His nominator wrote, “Dana cares passionately for teaching and having an impact on his students. He’s always looking for ways to make his teaching styles more engaging. Dana pushes beyond the professional boundary of teaching and strives to connect and help his students in any way he can. I learned a lot from Dana about our natural resources issues and through his knowledge I gained hope for the future of our natural resources.”
Amy Riley, Assistant Dean for Student Success, presented the student scholarship and fellowship awards. She started off by recognizing the officers and members of the student clubs and organizations and the College of Forestry Ambassadors for their work and dedication to the College.
Several individual students were honored for making significant contributions and/or excelling academically during their time in the College of Forestry. The Pack Essay Award award was created several decades ago by Charles Lathrop Pack to encourage sound communication skills for forestry & natural resource professionals. The winner of the Pack Essay Award was natural resources student Alayne Rosenstein, for their essay titled “Architects of Our Own Extinction.” The winner of the 12th Annual Photo of the Year Contest was Hayden Wampler for their photo titled “The Fisherman.”
The College of Forestry is honored and privileged to award graduate fellowships and undergraduate scholarships to deserving new and returning students. These awards are made possible through the generous contributions and continued support from our scholarship and fellowship donors. This year, the College of Forestry’s Scholarship Committee reviewed 419 scholarships applications from new and returning students. From these, 126 undergraduate students were selected to receive scholarship offers totaling $555,300 for the 2025-2026 academic year. There will be an additional round of scholarship awards to complete later this summer for incoming transfer students, and students who applied but were not offered scholarships will remain eligible for potential late awards throughout the school year. We are excited to see the total number of awards continue to increase in the coming months.
College of Forestry fellowships recognize our top incoming and returning graduate students. This year, the committee reviewed 105 graduate student applications from Masters and Doctoral students in four separate rounds. They selected 42 students, both Master- and Ph.D.- level, to receive college fellowships totaling just over $281,000 for the 2025-2026 academic year. Scholarships range in value from $3,000 to $9,000. All students who were able to attend came up in small groups for congratulations with the Dean, pictured below.
What began as a volunteer effort to clear fallen trees from popular biking and hiking trails transformed into something bigger for natural resources Ecampus student Geoffrey Huber. Enter the Acoustic Chainsaw Club — a movement rooted in nature and community.
Members of the Acoustic Chainsaw Club
Founded by Huber in 2022, the club takes a unique and environmentally friendly approach to trail maintenance, offering a quieter alternative to traditional trail-clearing methods. Rather than using noisy gas-powered chainsaws, volunteers rely on restored vintage axes — a quieter, more sustainable and deeply mindful method. The result is more than just cleared trails. It’s a stronger, more intimate bond between people and the places they love.
For Huber, the inspiration for this club came from his love of mountain biking and his childhood in Northern California’s Redwood Coast.
“As an avid mountain biker, I spent countless hours in Oregon’s forests, where trail work is a constant necessity, especially after harsh winters or storms,” said Huber.
While running chainsaws to clear fallen trees is efficient, Huber noted that the noise pollution, environmental impacts and startup costs caused him to consider other ideas. That’s where the idea for a quieter alternative came into focus — axes.
“I grew up watching my dad work with wood,” he said. “The axe always fascinated me — it’s one of the oldest tools humanity has used and it’s so simple. There’s something beautiful about the simplicity of it.”
The appeal of using an axe extends beyond utility to the craftsmanship and history behind the tool. Huber enjoys restoring vintage axes and will make customized handles to match the personality of each user in the club.
“The quality of axes from the 1800s is unmatched. The steel used back then is much higher quality,” he said. “Resorting an old axe and bringing it back to life is a labor of love.”
Besides minimizing the environmental impact of chainsaws, including noise pollution, gas emissions and wildlife disturbance, using axes to perform trail maintenance provides not only a quieter experience for volunteers but a closer connection to nature.
“There’s a physicality to it, but also a mindfulness,” Huber says. “When you’re using an axe, you have to be precise and each strike counts.”
This precision, combined with the slower pace of working with axes allows for a more collaborative atmosphere. Volunteers are able to have more conversations, share ideas and bond over the common goal of preserving the forest for all to enjoy. The club is about more than just clearing trails — it’s also about building community.
“We have people in the group from all walks of life,” he said. “Some are very outdoorsy, and others are newer to it, and I like seeing everyone come together to accomplish a common goal.”
While the Acoustic Chainsaw Club has grown organically through word of mouth, Huber has ideas for expansion. He envisions that this club could include a program for youth to connect them to tree ecology and nature or be expanded to include new chapters in other regions, such as the Corvallis area. Huber invites those interested in getting involved or starting a new chapter to reach out to him at huberge@oregonstate.edu.
“The more people we have working together, the more we can accomplish. It’s about creating a community where everyone has a voice, and everyone is working toward something bigger than themselves.”
As an Ecampus natural resources student, he has been inspired by the community and support offered to returning professionals like himself. He noted that the flexibility and accessibility of the program have been invaluable in balancing his education with his career and personal life.
“I’m very impressed with the Ecampus format and access of information,” he said. “Student resources being a click away and the amount of work that goes into that support is pretty phenomenal.”
Post graduation, he hopes to dive deeper into habitat restoration work and continue the hands-on conservation efforts he is passionate about.
“People from the College of Forestry will continue to move forward, and we will continue to make things happen regardless,” he said. “I am very, very proud to be a part of the College of Forestry at OSU.”
Can you share a little bit about what you research? My research has focused on information sharing in the wood products sector based around native hardwood species in the PNW. The purpose is partially to learn a little bit more about who is out there and what they are doing, since people don’t typically think of hardwoods when they think of Oregon and Washington forest products, but they are a very important part of the landscape. I’m also trying to learn about how those companies go about accessing the skills and developing the processes and markets they need to do what they do.
What will you be doing in your new role as Outreach Specialist with TDI? My role with TDI will be about translating the extremely technical research that TDI supports into communicable products, so that it can reach a broader audience. Since TDI is working so close to the forefront of the mass timber industry, it seems like there is a lot of interest in the research that’s being done.
What is one of your favorite memories from your time at the COF so far? I’ve really enjoyed any chance to explore Oregon and further abroad while I’ve been here! I went on a backpacking trip with some friends from my cohort in my first year and that trip stands out as a favorite.
What do you like to do in your free time? I love cooking, so I end up doing a lot of that. I’m also trying to start a garden, and I’ve been carving a wooden carousel horse for several years now.
What’s your favorite book/movie genre or your all-time favorite title? I tend to lean toward irreverent fantasy and sci-fi as favorites, but I’m open to a lot of genres.
Why did you choose the COF and Natural Resources? I am really passionate about conservation and know that it is what I want to work in for my future career. I don’t have an exact job in mind yet, and I thought Natural Resources is a broader degree that could be relevant in a number of occupations. I loved that it had an option for a concentration in fish and wildlife conservation, which is exactly what I want to work in.
What’s your favorite class you’ve taken so far? My favorite class so far has been NR 202: Natural Resource Problems and Solutions. I loved all of the lectures and assignments for that class. I told people that I wish all of my classes could be exactly like that one.
What do you love most about being an Ecampus COF student? The best part of being an Ecampus student is the flexibility. I am able to fit the lectures and assignments around my work schedule. Having to attend in-person classes is something that held me back from working on my degree in the past because I couldn’t balance both work and school. Being able to earn my degree online has opened up a whole new world for me.
What are you hoping or planning to do after graduation? I want to use my degree to work in conservation, helping to keep endangered species from going extinct.
What’s your favorite book/movie genre or your all-time favorite title? One of my favorite books is “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer. It was required reading for a class I took a couple of years ago, and I absolutely loved it.
Kevin Anderson Tourism, Recreation and Adventure Leadership
Why did you choose the COF and Tourism, Recreation and Adventure Leadership? I chose the COF and TRAL field because since I was young, I’ve always wanted to be a Park Ranger. I love the outdoors and being a part of the process of not only conserving the land but also making it enjoyable to recreate.
What’s your favorite class you’ve taken so far? My favorite class so far has been FOR 111: Introduction to Forestry. Learning new things everyday about the forest ecosystem has been very enjoyable.
What do you love most about being an Ecampus COF student? Having the opportunity to earn a degree while still being at home with my family has been a true blessing. And the instructors have been more than understanding with some of the pitfalls of e-learning.
What are you hoping to do after graduation? I’m hoping to be able to be a park manager after I earn my degree with either the state or the U.S. Forest Service.
What do you like to do in your free time? I don’t know what free time is…But in all seriousness, I enjoy fishing, hunting, golfing and spending time with my kids and my grandson.
COF natural resources major Jill Aire was recently named a Oregon Consular Corps Scholar for 2025 – an award offered to Oregon college students passionate about international affairs. Creating a personalized specialty of Ecological Consciousness within the natural resources major, Aire is studying the intersections between social and ecological systems and human connections to the natural world.
“This focus will help me recognize how human cultures, values and policies shape ecosystem management, and in turn, how these ecosystems impact human well-being,” Aire said.
Her favorite class at Oregon State so far has been ENT 300: Pests, Plagues and Politics, which introduced her to the intersection between technology, society and the natural world. Aire was invited to be a teaching assistant after taking the course, which further reinforced her passion for exploring the connections between the natural world and human systems.
“I gained a deeper appreciation for the critical role insects play in ecosystems and how they intersect with broader environmental and policy issues,” Aire said. “To be a well-rounded natural resource professional, it is essential to understand all aspects of our ecosystems, including often overlooked yet vital insect populations.”
Her educational and research passions are rooted in creating resilient and ecologically informed communities as a way to mitigate impacts of climate change. These passions have taken her abroad to Austria where she researched international policy, climate change impacts and renewable resources in urban infrastructure. Then, she traveled to Castilla La Mancha University in Spain, where she worked with an interdisciplinary team of researchers to develop effective post-fire recovery practices.
Jill at the European Union Parliament building in Brussels with the Austrian flag.
“All these experiences encouraged my international perspective, as well as fostering connection with diverse communities and provided me with a wealth of knowledge that I will continue to explore during my time at Oregon State,” Aire said.
After graduation she hopes to pursue a career in foreign service through the US Department of State, working with international governments and communities to develop effective natural resources management, sustainable energy production and urban greening projects. These goals blend her academic background in ecology and sustainability, with the aspiration to help craft foreign policy that supports global management efforts and aligns with U.S. interests.
“My ultimate goal is to forge international policy connected to climate change mitigation and adaptation,” she said. “I am especially passionate about fostering global cooperation on environmental issues, as I believe such efforts are essential to creating a more sustainable and equitable world.”
Outside of academics, Aire enjoys exploring Oregon’s natural landscapes, spending time with her roommates and her two cats, Ponderosa and Maple.
Lace-Anna Rowe (Forest Engineering, ‘24) gained valuable technical skills in the mechanized harvesting lab while pursuing her undergraduate degree. Rowe now works as a program coordinator at Umpqua Community College.
The College of Foresty’s Mechanized Harvesting Laboratory, led by Professor Kevin Lyons, was recently awarded a $383,730 grant from the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to grow the forest industry workforce through the development of four specialized training certificates. These certificates build on successful existing OSU programs and partnerships utilizing forest harvesting simulators and practical field activities. The certificates aim to address the high demand for skilled workers and managers in the mechanized logging sector, a field that is projected to face labor shortages in the coming years.
“Logging has historically been a difficult and dangerous field to work in,” said Lyons, the Wes Lematta Professor of Forestry Engineering. “Advancing mechanization and providing more education opportunities using innovative technology, like harvesting simulators, increases worker safety and knowledge in the field and exposes a new generation to the field of forestry.”
The certificates will be designed to provide clear training pathways for individuals seeking careers in forest machine operation and management, and are open to current OSU students, high school students, community college students, post baccalaureate students and vocational workers. Each certificate is being developed in close collaboration with the Mechanized Harvesting Laboratory’s partners, including the Natural Resource Career and Technical Education high schools, the Future Natural Resource Leaders, Umpqua Community College, Associated Oregon Loggers, Papé Machinery, Miller Timber Services, Weyerhaeuser and Melcher Logging.
“Initial feedback from our pilot projects indicated that users wanted more locations to obtain training, formal certificates and time with industry trainers,” said Lyons. “We can be most effective by working across the education spectrum, incorporating learners from high school, undergraduate programs and even those currently employed.”
By involving multiple communities and locations, the lab addresses the lack of forest sector training opportunities and technological gaps that weaken efforts to attract and retain talent in forest harvesting. The four certificates act as a ladder connecting new workers, existing ones and managers to bring opportunity to underserved populations in Oregon, including rural communities, people of color, women and high school students who are not immediately planning to attend post-secondary education. Bringing workforce development directly to these communities helps increase the diversity of forestry’s future workforce. To overcome language barriers, the certificates will be offered in multiple languages, including Spanish.
Simulator-based education offers safe, hands-on training without exposing inexperienced workers to the risks of real-world logging. Logging has one of the highest rates of fatal injuries of any civilian job in the U.S., but research by the Pacific Northwest Agriculture Safety and Health Center (2024) shows that increased mechanization is helping to reduce accidents and fatalities.
“By leveraging partnerships and simulator-based training, we are ensuring our students receive both hands-on training and earn formal certifications that improve their career prospects,” said Lyons. “With this grant, OSU and its partners are poised to strengthen Oregon’s forest industry workforce, enhancing both safety and efficiency in forest management.”
The College of Forestry received an Oregon Workforce Ready Grant to grow the forest industry workforce through the development of four specialized training certificates:
Forest Machine Management
OSU undergraduate certificate.
Equips managers with the skills to oversee mechanized forest harvesting operations.
Available to OSU students and working professionals with courses integrated into the Forest Engineering and Forest Operations programs.
Mechanized Forestry Technician
Certificate offered at Umpqua Community College.
Trains forestry technicians to implement mechanized harvesting systems.
Aligns with UCC Associate of Science Degree in Forestry.
Forest Machine Operator
OSU Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) certificate.
Provides upskill training for those already in the industry.
An earn-and-learn program supported by sponsoring companies.
Introduction to Mechanized Forest Harvesting
OSU PACE certificate.
Introduces high school students to mechanized harvesting techniques.
A version of this story appeared in the Spring 2025 issue of Focus on Forestry, the alumni magazine of the Oregon State University College of Forestry.
Did you know that 23% of College of Forestry undergraduate students are the first in their family to attend college? In addition, many of our graduate students, faculty and staff were also first-generation students. They persevered through challenges and bring important perspectives that help many COF students today.
We had the privilege of hearing from three first-generation members of the COF community. They share with us the importance of resilience and remind us that education holds power for personal and community transformation. Cathy Knock, director of budget and compliance for the college, began her story by sharing that her life circumstances were intertwined with her journey towards higher education as a non-traditional student.
“I went back to school to earn my first degree when I was 34, newly divorced, and a single parent to two small children,” she said. “It was literally starting from scratch…a new town, new school for my oldest, new daycare for my youngest, and trying to do it all with virtually no support. And since no one in my family had ever gone to college, I didn’t really have anyone I could ask for guidance. So, I had to figure it out on my own.”
She said that the strength to overcome these challenges came from the belief that earning a college degree would create opportunities for her and move her family toward financial security. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree, she continued on to earn a master’s degree while working full-time.
“That also was a struggle, but the end result was worth it,” she said. “I learned that I could do really hard things and that I was resilient. Once I set my mind to something, I can make it happen.”
Knock was not alone in having to navigate university systems by herself. Allison Monroe, a master’s student studying overlooked insect species and their ecological impact in the college’s forest ecosystems and society department, shared this experience as well.
“Being among the first in my family to attend college is both a path lit by pride and shadowed by isolation,” Monroe said. “Navigating this uncharted territory is empowering, but it also means carrying the weight of each challenge without a built-in support network, where every setback echoes louder.”
Along with this challenge is the feeling of “not knowing what you don’t know.” It’s hard to know how to ask for help if you don’t know what you’re missing out on or what support and opportunities exist. Ashley D’Antonio, associate professor in nature-based recreation management and associate department head for forest ecosystems and society, discussed how this shaped part of her undergraduate experience.
“I knew getting research experience as an undergraduate student was important, however, I did not know how to find those experiences,” she said. “I felt I had to work harder than non first-gen students to find the resources to support my education.”
D’Antonio’s experience as a first-generation student informed her chosen career path in academia and current drive to support students from diverse backgrounds and experiences in achieving their academic goals. In working with students directly, she tries to anticipate and automatically address the types of questions students might be afraid to ask or not know how to ask, an approach that, in-part, earned D’Antonio a recent OSU University Day Award for Faculty Teaching Excellence. Her experience also made her more resourceful and strengthened her problem-solving and interpersonal skills.
“Navigating unfamiliar systems and figuring things out independently…translates well when working on challenging research questions,” she said. “My experiences have strengthened my interpersonal skills, and I can effectively communicate with individuals from various and diverse backgrounds – another skill that is important both personally and professionally in my research in outdoor recreation.”
Monroe also noted that blending academic work with creative resilience and using art and writing to process experiences helps build bridges between cultural background and scientific research. This approach was vital to supporting well-being, and a way to navigate and question barriers encountered in academia.
“Often, sharing this journey invites sympathy rather than opportunity, as though these complexities define my limits instead of my potential,” Monroe said. “Resilience isn’t an invitation for pity; it’s a way of making space for possibility.”
Resources for First-Generation Students: Are you a first-generation college student considering a degree at Oregon State? The College of Forestry and OSU have many resources to help you succeed. Contact the admissions coordinator for the College of Forestry, or learn more about campus-wide programs via OSU First.
The College of Forestry Logging Sports team attended the Lumberjack Classic on November 9-10, hosted by the University of Idaho Logging Sports team in Moscow, ID. Other teams in attendance included the University of Montana, Montana State, Colorado State, Northern Arizona, and Flathead Valley Community College, with over 120 competitors. Events featured axe throwing, chopping, choker setting, crosscut sawing, power sawing, climbing, and more. After 2 days of competition, the OSU A team came away champions for the second year in a row, with a total of 165 points and 11 1st place finishes.
OSU athletes are Belle of the Woods (1st place overall woman) Norah Steed, Captain Angus Nicholson, Captain and Bull of the Woods (1st place overall man) Kaleb Eakins, Zeke Bluhm, Olivia Cooper, Anika Showalter, Xyla Carlson, John Orm, Julian Wenz, Owen Vredenburg, Mason Dunn, Caroline Puckett, Fred Sutherland, Sierra Mirsky, and Bee Hoffman. Their next competition will be at the Sierra Cascade Logging Conference, Feb. 6-8th.
The COF Logging Sports team is part of the Forestry Club at Oregon State University, congratulations on your victory!
Glenn Jones (left), a graduate student in the COF’s Forest Engineering, Resources & Management (FERM) department, is collaborating with Chris Dunn to reconstruct historical and cultural fire regimes on the east slope of the Central Oregon Coast Range. Supported by the Bureau of Land Management’s Seeds of Success grant, Jones’ work involves a partnership with the BLM and the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians (CTCLUSI).
Blending Indigenous knowledge with Western science, the project addresses knowledge gaps in the Coast Range about fire return intervals and aims to revive traditional burning practices for CTCLUSI. A Hoopa Valley Tribal member, Jones brings personal experience with cultural burning to his work—an approach that supports habitats, maintains ecologically significant species, and sustains traditional resources. He’s also training to become a federally recognized Burn Boss, expanding his impact in helping Oregon Tribes increase cultural burns.
“This research is not only meaningful to me personally, its impactful to our next seven generations as we face an uncertain future with climate change and contemporary wildfires,” Jones shares. “Co-stewardship of the landscape with Tribes, agencies, and stakeholders is essential in informing management of forest ecosystems of the future.”
Phase one of the project—establishing plots, stem mapping, and tree coring—is complete. Phase two begins this winter with fire scar cutting and tree ring analysis.
