Blog

SAF holding annual Christmas tree sale

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:38:00 EST

The WVU student chapter of the Society of American Foresters is holding their annual Christmas tree sale Nov. 30 through Dec. 13, or while supplies last. They will be available from 5-9 p.m. during the week; 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Saturdays; and 12-6 p.m. on Sundays at the Seneca Center. The West Virginia-grown Frasier firs are 6-8 feet tall and $40 each. Trees may also be reserved by contacting SAF at wvu_saf@yahoo.com.

On the horizon

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:41:00 EST

In The Daily Athenaeum, Samantha Cossick offers and overview of possible campus renovations:

“If there’s one building on campus that you could look at today and say that we probably need to replace, it’s probably the (Agricultural Sciences) building,” [WVU Vice President for Administration and Finance Narvel] Weese said.

The University is looking to build a 155,000 square foot, $7 million building to use as a teaching lab.

Click here for the full story.

Something to cluck about

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:07:00 EST

The West Virginia University Poultry Judging Team recently hatched a fifth place win at the Annual U.S. Poultry & Egg Association National Poultry Judging Contest in Springdale, Ark.

Jason Hartley, an agronomy major from Ellenboro, W.Va., Kevin Shipe, an agribusiness management and rural development major from Mathias, W.Va., Katrina Humphreys, an animal and nutritional sciences major from Franklin, W.Va., and Katie Gall, an agricultural and extension education major from Independence, W.Va., made up this year’s team.
At the individual level, Hartley placed second in breed selection and carcass quality and eighth overall.

The team is coached by Joe Moritz, associate professor of animal and nutritional sciences in the WVU Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design. He was assisted by two animal and nutritional sciences graduate students – Laurel Shires from Morgantown, W.Va. and Staci Loop from Pittsburgh, Pa.

“The contest is always a balance of work and play for the students,” Moritz said. “This year’s team, however, took academics very seriously. They had fun during the day, but they concentrated on class assignments in the evening.”

Funded by the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, the contest gives students the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of regulations governing the grading of eggs and poultry.
The competition is divided into three categories: production judging, breed selection and market products judging.

WVU competed against teams from Texas A&M University, Arkansas University, Penn State University, North Carolina State University, Louisiana State University, Auburn University and Mississippi State University.

Crites joins Hall of Fame

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:24:00 EST

Congratulations to forestry alum John W. Crites on being one of five individuals to be inducted into the 2009 West Virginia Business Hall of Fame Thursday, Nov. 19, in a ceremony to be held at the Waterfront Place Hotel in Morgantown:

“John W. Crites is chairman of Allegheny Wood Products Inc. He started his first sawmill in 1973 with 13 employees in Riverton, and today the company has 500 employees and markets to 18 foreign countries plus the United States. He also owns Allegheny Dimensions, in Petersburg, which manufactures semi-finished furniture and stair-parts components.”

For the full story on all of this year’s inductees, visit WVU Today. For information on the induction, click here.

Learn about ucpoming tropical ecology expedition

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:46:00 EST

Students are invited to learn more about the upcoming “Tropical Ecology – Bahamas” summer course, to be led by Lee B. Kass, adjunct professor of biology in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences. The course, cross-listed as BIOL / PLSC 293, will run from May 16 to June 6, 2010.

Two information sessions will be held:

10-10:45 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, 1011 Agricultural Sciences Building
5-5:45 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, 1011 Agricultural Sciences Building

For more information, contact Kass.

Climbing to the top

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:14:00 EST

Congratulations to Environmental Protection major Ben Davis on his win in the first top-rope climbing competition, sponsored by the WVU Student Rec Center. Kamala Gopalakrishnan covered the event for The Daily Athenaeum. Click here for the full story.

Schaeffer on energy economics

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:51:00 EST

Peter V. Schaeffer, professor of economic policy in the Davis College and faculty research associate with the Regional Research Institute, contributed an Op-Ed Commentary on alternative energy to The Sunday Gazette-Mail:

West Virginia should pay attention to two debates: Congress’ “cap and trade” plan to buy and sell allowances for greenhouse gas emissions and U.N. negotiations over climate change. Both will impact West Virginia’s energy industry.

Click here for the essay.

Rags and riches

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:25:00 EST

Two articles in today’s Daily Athenaeum feature WVU’s program in Fashion Design and Merchandising.

Staff writer Morgan Young takes a look at the A-WEAR-ness Campaign for the Homeless:

From 2007 to 2008, 1.4 million pounds of textiles were recycled under the program, generating close to $200,000, Vash said. WVU has contributed 82,000 pounds of recycled textiles to date.

Arts and Entertainment writer Paige Lavender profiles Gina Shields, an ‘06 graduate who’s opening her own boutique in Morgantown:

After the boutique’s opening, Shields will work to construct all her handbags right in the store. Each bag is a one-of-a-kind design, and patrons can have custom designs made upon request.

Edwards to speak on hunting, agriculture Nov. 18

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:37:00 EST

John Edwards, associate professor of wildlife and fisheries resources in West Virginia University’s Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design, will examine “Hunting, Agriculture and the Domestication of Man” in his contribution to the Davis-Michael Seminar Series at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, in 1001 Agricultural Sciences Building.

Edwards will explore mankind’s history as hunters and how agriculture has redirected our evolutionary path. Edwards, along with colleague Jim Anderson, developed WVU’s innovative “Tradition of Hunting” course. The impetus to teach a course on hunting came from their desire to introduce students to the positive aspects of sport hunting, both from a wildlife management and societal aspect. The course covers a broad range of topics including the evolution of hunting in society, hunting traditions, the role of hunting in wildlife management, hunting ethics, animal rights, gun control and the economics of hunting.

For more information on the Davis-Michael Seminar Series and a full schedule, visit WVU Today.

Order a Piece of the Pride

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:30:00 EST

The Piece of the Pride Online Catalog is up and running!

The Fashion Design and Merchandising 235 Product Development class utilized their creativity and developed these diverse, one-of-a-kind recycled products made from WVU Marching Band capes. All proceeds received will be used to purchase a permanent apparel recycling bin to be placed on WVU’s campus.