Heather Shipley, an ATCOFA Bachelor of Science in Forestry (BSF) student, was awarded the 2014 Soldier of the Year for her National Guard brigade.

Heather, a sophomore, competed against twenty-seven soldiers and airmen from across the state in the second annual joint-service competition at the Texas Army National Guard’s Training site at Camp Swift. The three-day long event consisted of various scored events and recognized the fittest and most professional Guardsmen within the Texas Military Forces. “The competition included a 6-mile road march, an obstacle course, the use of combat arms, a land navigation exercise, proficiency in various warrior tasks, writing an essay and appearing before a board that reviewed their personal appearance, military bearing and knowledge.” Specialist Heather Shipley, the only female competitor, placed 5^th out of 27 participants at the regional competition.

ATCOFA is pleased to recognize Heather and all of our students for their current and past service in the military.

Several Study Abroad opportunities are being offered in 2014 by faculty of the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture.  Sponsored by SFA’s Office of International Programs, the Study Abroad Program deadlines are fast approaching.  Informational meetings to be held soon click Read more below.

The ATCOFA 2013 Newsletter is now available online. Select Newsletter to download a pdf file.  The Fall 2013 Newsletter has college highlights and news, faculty and staff updates, student and student organization experiences including internships and awards, graduate study profiles, alumni awards and career profiles, as well as a feature section on revision of the Bachelor of Science in Forestry curriculum.

By Andreya Taylor

The Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture at Stephen F. Austin State University is working with Älvdalen's Educational Center, a forestry and hospitality post-secondary technical college in Älvdalen, Sweden, to create a study abroad program.

According to Dr. Hans Williams, associate dean of the college of forestry and agriculture, Ing-Marie Bergman emailed him to see if the college of forestry would be interested in collaborating. Bergman is in charge of international programs at Älvdalen's Educational Center. The institution encourages its students to complete internships abroad, but the faculty was having a difficult time setting up a program in the United States. Williams, along with Drs. Theresa Coble and Brian Oswald from forestry and Dr. Chay Runnels, assistant professor of human sciences, have been working with Älvdalen to get a program started.

In May 2012, faculty members from Älvdalen visited the Temple College and School of Human Sciences. In turn, SFA faculty members traveled to Sweden in April of 2013 to learn more about Älvdalen's programs. Williams said everyone was extremely impressed.