Dr. Hans Williams, professor of forestry and associate dean of the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture at Stephen F. Austin State University, has been named Regents Professor for the 2010-11 academic year.
The SFA Board of regents names one Regents Professor each spring. The honored faculty members each receive a medal and a $2,000 grant to support their research efforts.
Williams joined the SFA faculty in 1993 as an assistant professor of forestry and was promoted to associate professor and awarded tenure in 1999. Since 2003, he has held the highest academic rank of professor, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in forest ecology, tree physiology, environmental assessment, urban forestry and wetlands functional assessment.
Williams' research emphases include the physiological response of planted pine and bottomland hardwood seedlings to environmental stresses, forested wetlands delineation and functional assessment, and forested wetlands restoration. He also serves as the urban forestry student adviser.
Prior to his service at SFA, Williams was employed as a wetlands ecologist for the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers Waterways Experiment Station in Vicksburg, Miss., where he conducted research in woody plant flood tolerance and wetland reforestation.
The professor was named a finalist for the SFA Foundation Achievement Award in 1996, 1998 and 2006. Other honors include: the College of Forestry and Agriculture Teaching Excellence Award in 1998, 2002 and 2005; the Kenneth Nelson Distinguished Professorship in 2004; and three performance commendations from the Department of the Army in 1991, 1992 and 1993. His professional memberships include the Society of American Foresters, the International Society of Arboriculture and the Texas Forestry Association.
Williams earned his Bachelor of Science in forestry from Purdue University in 1980. He later received a Master of Science in forestry from Clemson University in 1983 and a Doctor of Philosophy from Auburn University in 1989.
Axe ’Em, Jacks!