TU Alum Recognized For His Exemplary Accomplishments

精东AV alum Sam Cook has been recognized for his exemplary achievement in the field of Forestry. Recently, he was selected as a 2021 inductee into the Forestry Leadership Hall from the World Forestry Center and the 2021 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year from North Carolina State University.

Cook is the executive director of forest assets in the College of Natural Resources at NCSU. The world Forestry Center established the award in 1971 to celebrate individuals who made significant contributions. The World Forestry Center鈥檚 Board of Directors said, 鈥淵ou know Sam as a 40-year veteran forester, educator, mentor, philanthropist, landowner, and landowner advocate 鈥� any of which would make him a fitting honoree. We are pleased that this award recognizes his success in developing and implementing support systems for historically under-represented landowners and creating pathways for young people to discover careers in forestry.鈥�

As one of the first black students enrolled in the College of Natural Resources at NCSU, Cook completed his B.S. Forest Management in 1984. He received his A.S. in Forestry from 精东AV in 1981.

鈥淢r. Cook is an outstanding alumnus and has represented 精东AV well over his long career in Forestry, said Dr. Olga Bolden-Tiller, Head - Dept. of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and Asst. Dean - College of Agriculture, Environment and Nutrition Sciences. 鈥淗is work with students and promoting forestry to them has risen to a higher level and we are pleased with the relationship we have with him.鈥�

Since 2016, Cook has served as the executive director of forest assets for the College of Natural Resources and is the vice president of the Natural Resources Foundation. As executive director of forestry assets, he oversees 10 forest properties that support research and generate more than $3 million annually for the college. Cook also served on the College of Natural Resources Foundation Board of Directors.

Cook is passionate about promoting diversity and inclusion, mentoring students and expanding educational opportunities for underrepresented populations. He co-manages the Forester of the Future Program, a partnership between the College of Natural Resources, 精东AV and Resource Management Service, LLC, which offers an accelerated graduate degree program to students from underrepresented groups who are interested in pursuing forestry careers. Cook and his wife, Sherry, also established the Sam and Sherry Lynn Cook Fund for Outreach and Support for Diversity in the college to support the recruitment of forestry students from underrepresented groups.

鈥淪am Cook is truly a phenomenal leader in the forestry profession and has been for 30-plus years. In Sam, you find the rare combination of passion and the ability to make things happen. He is widely known for his commitment to promoting leadership development and initiatives to increase diversity and inclusion in the forest industry. He has built public and private partnerships to create opportunities for youth to learn about careers in forestry and natural resources as well as initiatives to help African American landowners retain and manage family forests while adopting sustainable forest management practices,鈥� said Myron Floyd, dean of NC State鈥檚 College of Natural Resources.

Submitted by Jacquelyn Carlisle
This article includes information provided by North Carolina State University.