Stephen F. Austin State University

Dr. Brian Oswald, professor of fire ecology, silviculture and range management at Stephen F. Austin State University, has been appointed to fill Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture Lacy Hunt Distinguished Professorship in Forestry.

The professorship was endowed by the late Lacy H. Hunt, a sawmill operator in the Nacogdoches community and long-time supporter of SFA’s forestry program.

“Dr. Oswald was appointed Hunt Professor based upon his achievements in teaching, research and service,” said Dr. Scott Beasley, dean of the college. “He will carry this title with the distinction it deserves.”

Oswald, whose specialization is fire ecology and management, has been on the SFA faculty since 1995. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in forestry from Michigan State University, a Master of Science degree from Northern Arizona University and a Ph.D. in forestry, wildlife and range sciences from the University of Idaho.

Prior to arriving at SFA, Oswald was on the faculty at Alabama A&M University for three years. He was the 2002 recipient of the Society of American Foresters Carl A. Schenck Award for outstanding forestry education and the 2004 Mid-career Alumni Achievement Award by the University of Idaho’s College of Natural Resources.

Oswald, a former chair of the SFA faculty senate, is the current president of The Association for Fire Ecology, an organization of professionals dedicated to improving the knowledge and use of fire in land management through science and education.