Purdue News

May 13, 1988 Le Master To Become New Head Of Forestry And Natural Resources West Lafayette, Ind. – Dennis C. Le Master will become the new head of Purdue University's Department of Forestry and Natural Resources and professor of forestry in the School of Agriculture June 1. He currently is chair and professor, Department of Forestry and Range Management, Washington State University, Pullman. He succeeds Professor William R. Byrnes, who has returned to teaching and research. Le Master's appointment was confirmed Friday (5/13) by Purdue's Board of Trustees. "Professor Le Master is an accomplished research scholar, teacher and administrator," Robert L. Thompson, dean of Purdue's School of Agriculture, said. "I'm sure his many talents will contribute to the fine reputation that Purdue's Department of Forestry and Natural Resources already enjoys." Le Master has held his Washington State University post since 1980. He has also been a staff consultant in forestry to the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Forests, Family Farms and Energy (formerly Subcommittee on Forests). In that position he was instrumental in the development and passage of legislation that became law, including the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act. Le Master's specialty is resource economics and policy, and he has written one book and numerous articles, book chapters and other publications. He belongs to the American Forestry Association, Society of American Foresters and Society of Range Management, among other organizations. In 1982 he was named Forester of the Year by the Inland Empire Society of American Foresters. His bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees are all from Washington State University. Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu