Wood Technology And Fisheries Management
Wood Technology
The Wood Technology program was adopted in 1934, and over the next thirty years, trained generations of students to use the raw material—and natural resource—of wood products most effectively.
In 1945, Bachelor of Science and Master’s degrees in Wood Technology were established to distinguish the specialized training from traditional forestry training. That same year, a special program launched that would prepare men for technical and executive positions in the furniture industry.
In 1950, Dean Samuel Dana said, “The School of Forestry and Conservation is recognized nationally and internationally as outstanding, and has attracted students from all parts of the world. It has one of the best forest products laboratories in the country.”
Stinchfield Sawmill, 1940s
With an initial gift to U-M of $37, the class of 1942 established a trust fund for the acquisition of a portable sawmill. The gift was motivated by the students’ recognition of the need for practical instruction and experience in mill operation as a part of their professional training. The construction of the sawmill, largely funded by gifts from students and alumni, began operation in 1947.
Latin-American Fellowships
In 1943, 20 fellowships were granted for Latin American students in Wood Technology and Forestry. In its first year, 17 students from Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, and Venezuela registered for the spring term. In 1944, an additional 10 fellowships were granted. In total, 31 students from 14 countries and Puerto Rico received fellowships from the program, which more than doubled the number of trained foresters and wood technologists in Latin-American countries—where many of those who participated went on to occupy positions of prominence in their fields.
Fisheries Management
The Department of Fisheries Management found a new home in SNR in 1950. Professor Karl F. Lagler (PhD ’40) was instrumental in the establishment of the department, and served as its chairman until 1965. Lagler achieved both national and international recognition as an expert on fisheries, conservation, and the fishes of the Great Lakes Region.
Faculty
John Carow
John Carow (BSF ’37, MSF ’38) joined the SNR faculty in 1947, and soon became the Director of Camp Filibert Roth—a position he would hold for the next 21 years. During his 32 years at SNR, Carow taught forest mensuration, timber harvesting, air photo interpretation, and forest management.
Frank Murray
At Camp Filibert Roth, Frank Murray instructed students on forest surveying and mapping—the foundation of all their field skills. In 1948 he published the Manual of Forest Reconnaissance and Growth. Murray also supervised forest management at Stinchfield Woods, and was universally regarded as a mentor.
Stephen Spurr
In his 19 years at U-M (1952–1971), Stephen Spurr served as professor, acting Chair of Forestry, Dean of SNR, and Dean of the Rackam Graduate School. He authored Forest Ecology in 1964, and was the founder and first editor of the influential journal, Forest Science. Over the course of his career, Spurr gained a world-wide reputation in photogrammetry and aerial mapping as applied to natural resource inventory.