By:
Chuck Woods (352) 392-1773 ext. 281Source(s):
Wayne Smith whsmith@mail.ifas.ufl.edu, (352) 846-0850
Jeff Doran jdoran@forestfla.org, (850) 222-5646
GAINESVILLE, Fla.—Wayne Smith, director of the University of Florida’s School of Forest Resources and Conservation, has received the Living Legend Award from the Florida Forestry Association for a lifetime of distinguished service.
The award, which was presented to Smith at the association’s annual meeting in Panama City Beach Sept. 5, is the organization’s highest honor. It was presented to Smith by Jeff Doran, executive vice president of the association. Doran said the award honors Smith for more than 35 years of dedicated service, including educating professionals, leading effective research and extension programs, serving the profession and supporting the industry.
Assisting Doran with the presentation were Clay Smallwood, president of St. Joe Timberland Company and chair of the UF school’s advisory board; Wayne Haines, vice president of International Paper Company and former research collaborator; George Blakeslee, professor in the school; and Jimmy Cheek, dean of UF’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Blakeslee read a letter from John Gray, former director of the school who could not attend the Panama City meeting.
Smith, a native of Marianna, Fla., received his bachelor’s degree in agriculture from UF in 1960. After completing his master’s and doctoral degrees in forestry and soil science at Mississippi State University, he joined the faculty of UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) in 1964.
His early work at UF included teaching and research in forest soils and tree nutrition. After he was promoted to professor in 1977, Smith served as assistant director of the forestry school. He also has served as director of other UF/IFAS programs, including the Center for Environmental and Natural Resource Programs, the Energy Extension Service and the Center for Biomass Programs.
Smith became director of UF’s School of Forest Resources and Conservation in 1965, overseeing research, extension and teaching programs. He was co-founder of the Cooperative Forest Fertilization Research Program and The Intensive Management Practices Assessment Center, which are research cooperatives involving industry and state and federal agencies. He also is co-director of the Florida Organics Recycling Center for Excellence in partnership with the Sumter County Public Works Department and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
He received the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Distinguished Service Award in 1995 for solid waste management educational programs. Other awards include the U.S. Department of Energy’s Award of Excellence in Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Programs, the National Composting Council’s Hi Kellogg Award for Public Service, the Southeastern Society of American Foresters’ Award of Excellence, the Gamma Sigma Delta Award of Merit for Distinguished Leadership and the Keep Alachua County Beautiful Distinguished Service Award.
Smith has managed more then $20 million of extramural funds in support of UF/IFAS research and education programs. He has published more than 140 articles and edited five books.
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