NACOGDOCHES, Texas — For the second consecutive year, the Society of American Foresters recognized the Stephen F. Austin State University student chapter among the top three in the nation during the organization’s virtual conference held in October.

“Winning this award for the second year in a row is very gratifying,” said Jacob Muggeridge, forestry major and president of the SFA student chapter. “I hope we can continue the tradition this upcoming year with further events and engagement in the spring semester.”

The recognition is based on the accomplishments of the student chapter, as well as its service to the community.     

Muggeridge said that with the guidance of Dr. Rebecca Kidd, assistant professor of forest ecology and SAF student chapter faculty advisor, the chapter actively built and maintained relationships with local groups, such as the Angelina-Nacogdoches Forest Landowners Association, and conducted a number of service projects with Mission Tejas State Park and the Pineywoods Native Plant Center.

“Through Dr. Rebecca Kidd’s leadership, student members of the SFA student chapter of the SAF have developed an exemplary record of service to the forestry profession and the East Texas community,” said Dr. Hans Williams, dean of SFA’s Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture. “They are outstanding ambassadors for the SFA forestry program and deserving of this national recognition.”