The Georgia Forestry Association recently awarded scholarships to Ryan Templeton of the University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources and David-Lee Bradford of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College for their high levels of academic rigor and professionalism.
“Our Association proudly supports the efforts of students enrolled in the forestry programs offered by our state’s colleges and universities,” GFA President and CEO Andres Villegas said. “We appreciate the efforts of young students who are passionate about the field and we recognize the significance of well-educated forestry professionals to the success of our state’s working forests”
A native of Athens, Ga., Ryan will be working his third consecutive summer for Southeastern Agribusiness where he has cruised timber, painted property lines and marked timber for sale all over Northeast Georgia.
“I became interested in pursuing a career in forestry after tagging along with a forester working for a family friend,” said Ryan. “After speaking with him and seeing what the field could offer, I was immediately hooked.”
Upon completion of his undergraduate degree at the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, Ryan hopes to pursue a Master’s Degree in Forest Resources at UGA.
“This scholarship directly contributes to my pursuit of a degree in forestry,” said Ryan. “It eases my financial burden which allows me to focus more on my schoolwork.”
In May 2016, GFA 2015 Scholarship recipient David-Lee Bradford graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Resources Management from ABAC.
“I always knew I wanted to work outside,” said David-Lee, whose career ambition is to be a consulting forester. “My early interaction with a consulting forester genuinely excited me about the possibility of this career. I know this is a profession where I will truly enjoy going to work each day and I love the idea of being in direct contact with nature.”
While a student at ABAC, David-Lee was a member of the ABAC Forestry Club and was a member of the ABAC team who recently won first place in the Quiz Bowl at the Southeastern Society of American Foresters Convention.
“Being a graduate of ABAC, I can say that the hands-on experiences I have had will provide a tremendous benefit to me as I begin my career,” said David-Lee.
Both scholarship recipients will be invited to attend the GFA Annual Conference and Forestry Expo on July 23-25 in Jekyll Island.