WPS Department Changes Its Name

Effective in early 2010, the Department of Wood & Paper Science changed its name to the Department of Forest Biomaterials. This decision was based on a desire to more accurately describe the wide scope of education, research, and extension activities being done by the department -- not just in the traditional areas of paper and wood products, but also in the rapidly-growing area of biomaterials and bioenergy from woody and non-woody biomass.

It should be noted that the names of the two undergraduate programs in the department (Paper Science & Engineering, and Wood Products) will not be affected by this name change. Correspondingly, the prime focus of both programs will continue to be the training of outstanding new engineers and technologists to support industries in the forest products arena.

"We are excited about the opportunities to continue to serve the needs of our core industrial partners, while expanding our research opportunities," said Dr. Steve Kelley, the head of the department. "We believe that the new name will allow us to attract more students into the undergraduate degree programs, but also allow us to leverage our traditional engineering and science skills into new and exciting areas of interest to our graduate students."