International Paper endows Paul Smith's College professor

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Meet professor Brett McLeod

PAUL SMITHS, NY (10/14/2016)(readMedia)-- A Paul Smith's College professor has been named as the institution's first International Paper Endowed Professor in Forestry Economics.

Dr. Brett McLeod, professor of Natural Resource Management and Policy and 2003 graduate of Paul Smith's, was honored with the distinction Friday, Oct. 14, during a ceremony at the college.

"Receiving this appointment is the greatest honor of my academic career," McLeod said. "International Paper's endowment of this position stands as a testament to its support of quality teaching and applied research as well as its deep commitment to responsible forest resource management. I am humbled by the generosity of International Paper."

The $500,000 endowment from International Paper will allow McLeod to continue his work in natural resource economics for the remainder of his career at Paul Smith's College and could also help attract other world-class professors to fill the position when he retires.

"On behalf of International Paper, I am excited to congratulate Dr. Brett McLeod and to recognize his commitment and accomplishments as an educator, role model and inspiration to his students," said Donna Wadsworth, spokeswoman for International Paper. "We are proud to partner with Paul Smith's College in establishing the International Paper Endowed Professorship of Forestry Economics and extremely proud of the selection of Dr. McLeod as the first recipient of this honor."

McLeod began teaching at the college in 2005 and has served as the coach of its Woodsmen's Team since the beginning. He has traveled to the Dominican Republic to conduct economic development work, sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development. He also works regularly on forest-product research closer to home in the Adirondacks. McLeod helped establish the Paul Smith's Adirondack Rural Skills and Homesteading Festival as well as Osgood Farm, a living, breathing classroom on the shores of nearby Osgood Pond. In addition to teaching a variety of natural-resource economics and policy courses, McLeod is also a contributing writer to Northern Woodlands magazine and the author of "The Woodland Homestead: How to Make Your Land More Productive and Live More Self-Sufficiently in the Woods."

"I am thrilled that Paul Smith's College has the opportunity to collaborate with International Paper to honor one of its finest professors and most engaging campus personalities by naming him the IP Professor in Forestry Economics," said Nicholas Hunt-Bull, provost of Paul Smith's College. "That Brett is one of our own graduates adds something extra of course. It is wonderful to see one of our own achieve such a distinction. Brett McLeod is a committed teacher, an engaged coach and a wonderful member of the campus and North Country community. He contributes so much to Paul Smith's that I can think of few people more worthy."

About Paul Smith's College

At Paul Smith's College, it's about the experience. We are the only four-year institution of higher education in the Adirondacks. Our programs – in fields including hospitality, culinary arts, forestry, natural resources, entrepreneurship and the sciences – draw on industries and resources available in our own backyard while preparing students for successful careers anywhere. For more information, visit paulsmiths.edu.