This February, forestry students Emma Dunn and Liam Reid represented UGA at the Forest Landowners Association’s Forest Policy Fly-In in Washington, D.C. The experience provided an inside look at how federal forest policy is shaped and how its outcomes influence private landowners, investors, and the broader forestry sector. The students met with members of Congress, including Representative Buddy Carter, Senator Jon Ossoff, and Representative Bruce Westerman, along with congressional and federal agency staff to discuss forestry’s role in rural economies, supply chain resilience, and long‑term land stewardship.
Archive for the ‘Student Spotlight’ Category
02.19.2026
Student Spotlight: Will McCommons
Will McCommons, a second-year Master of Forest Resources student from Greensboro, GA, has built his career path on a lifelong connection to the woods, one that began with days spent learning from his grandfather, who worked in the lumber industry. After earning his BSFR at UGA, Will returned to Warnell to earn his MFR in Forest Business to deepen his understanding of the business side of forestry. He credits the program with broadening his perspective on how the industry operates and opening new career opportunities.
11.05.2025
Student Spotlight: Catherine Watry
Catherine Watry is currently in her second semester of the Master of Forest Resources (MFR) in Forest Business program at the University of Georgia. After earning her Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega, where she also played on the women’s soccer team, she decided to continue her education by connecting her business background with her personal interest in forestry.
09.29.2025
CFB Graduate Students Attend the CANOPY Conference in Portland, OR
Five graduate students and two faculty members from the Langdale Center for Forest Business attended the 2025 CANOPY Conference in Portland, Oregon, hosted by the World Forestry Center. Graduate student Emma Dunn reflects on her experience at CANOPY, where she gained exposure to the future of forest markets and investment through insightful sessions and meaningful networking. The conference provided a valuable opportunity for CFB students to engage with global leaders in forestland investing and policy.
09.04.2025
Student Spotlight: Greyson Clark
Greyson Clark is a second-year Master of Forest Resources (MFR) student from Dublin, GA. A graduate of West Laurens High School, he went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in forestry from The University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources.
04.18.2025
Student Spotlight: Branch Burns
Branch Burns is a first-year MFR student from Newnan, GA. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Business from UGA in May 2024, along with a minor in Agricultural and Applied Economics and a Certificate in Personal and Organizational Leadership. Branch is pursuing a Forest Business Management MFR degree to deepen his knowledge of forestry and natural resource investment.
02.07.2025
Student Spotlight: Ansley Whitley
Ansley Whitley, a second-year MFR in Forest Business student, has volunteered at numerous Center for Forest Business and Georgia Forestry Association networking and conference events her first three semesters in the program. This past summer she interned with Weyerhaeuser in Georgetown, GA and currently supports Dr. Yanshu Li with taxation research.
11.14.2024
Student Spotlight: Thomas Black
After Thomas Black graduates with his MFR in Forest Business in December 2024, he will head to Atlanta, GA to work as an Investment Analysist with Weyerhaeuser. Thomas interned with three forest and timber management companies while enrolled in the Center for Forest Business, and supported Dr. Bolding and Dr. Conrad on logging and mill weights research.
