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Weyerhaeuser donates half million to OSU College of Forestry

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[5]CORVALLIS, Ore. – The Weyerhaeuser Company Foundation has made a $500,000 gift to Oregon State University, home to one of the premier academic forestry programs in North America.

The gift to the OSU College of Forestry will create an endowed scholarship fund to attract top students from diverse backgrounds to the college’s programs in forest engineering, forest management, forest operations management, and wood science and technology.

“The OSU College of Forestry produces graduates who enter the professional world with a very solid background in active forest management,” said Rich Wininger, Weyerhaeuser’s vice president of western timberlands, who graduated from OSU in 1979 with a degree in forest engineering.

“At OSU, students are able to access nearby teaching, research and demonstration forests,” Wininger pointed out. “This proximity means that they’re used to working in the woods and are technically prepared to make an immediate contribution in the forestry business.”

Hal Salwasser, dean of forestry at OSU, said he and his faculty repeatedly hear that OSU produces some of the best employees for the forest products sector.

“This very generous gift reflects the importance of our graduates to the vitality of the industry,” Salwasser said. “Weyerhaeuser has been a terrific partner for many years, supporting research facilities, scholarships and graduate fellowships, all of which contribute to us maintaining our distinction as one of the premier forestry programs in North America.”

Weyerhaeuser Company and the Weyerhaeuser Company Foundation have given nearly $4 million to OSU to date, including this gift, but this is the largest gift targeted at scholarships.

“Weyerhaeuser is proud to support the stellar forestry program at Oregon State University and promote student excellence by providing scholarships for forestry students,” said Bruce Amundson, president of the Weyerhaeuser Company Foundation.

Salwasser said that scholarships can be the key to attracting standout students to study forestry at OSU. “We’re grateful to Weyerhaeuser for their vision and generosity,” Salwasser said.

The gift is part of the university’s $625 million Campaign for OSU, which is on track to raise $100 million for scholarships and fellowships.

About Weyerhaeuser Company: Weyerhaeuser Company, one of the world’s largest forest products companies, was incorporated in 1900. In 2008, sales were $8 billion. It has offices or operations in 10 countries, with customers worldwide. Weyerhaeuser is principally engaged in the growing and harvesting of timber; the manufacture, distribution and sale of forest products; and real estate construction and development. Additional information about Weyerhaeuser’s businesses, products and practices is available at http://www.weyerhaeuser.com.

About Weyerhaeuser Company Foundation: The mission of the Weyerhaeuser Company Foundation, established in 1948, is to release the potential in people to strengthen our communities and advance sustainability. Over the last 60 years, the Foundation has directed more than $200 million to the communities where Weyerhaeuser employees work, live and play. To learn more about the Weyerhaeuser Company Foundation, visit: http://www.weyerhaeuser.com/sustainability/foundation.

The Campaign for OSU is the university’s first comprehensive fundraising campaign. Guided by OSU’s strategic plan, the campaign seeks $625 million to provide opportunities for students, strengthen the Oregon economy, and conduct research that changes the world. More than $480 million has been committed to date, including more than $76 million toward a $100 million goal for scholarships and fellowships. To learn more about The Campaign for OSU, visit: http://campaignforosu.org.