Axe ’Em, Jacks!
STEM-based, career-focused programs
Have you always loved science, technology, engineering and mathematics courses? Are you passionate about the outdoors, plants, animal science or the environment? Do you want a college experience that includes hands-on learning, community outreach projects and opportunities for amazing internships? Are you looking for an exciting, high-paying career?
If you answered "yes" to any of the questions above, the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture might be exactly what you're looking for. During your time as a student here, you'll work with passionate, dedicated professors who truly care about your success. You'll get out of the classroom and participate in transformative, hands-on learning activities.
Most importantly, you'll earn a degree in a high-paying field where jobs are plentiful. Our graduates work for national parks, state and government agencies, oil and gas companies and universities. They work in commercial agriculture and they become veterinarians, land surveyors, teachers and cattle producers.
A message from the dean, Dr. Hans Williams
Welcome to the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture.
It is an exciting time to earn a degree in agriculture, environmental science, forestry or spatial science. Career opportunities are plentiful with our graduating classes experiencing near 100% employment. Our undergraduate programs focus on experience-based learning. Students work closely with the faculty learning theory in the classroom and application in the field. Students enrolled in our master's and doctoral degree programs work collaboratively with the faculty researching the important issues affecting our nation's natural resources. Through service to the community, our faculty and students apply what they have learned to promote sustainable natural resources management to improve the lives of the citizens of Texas and the nation.
We invite you to visit us on the SFA campus. I believe you will see that the learning and living environment is second-to-none. Do not hesitate to contact us, if we can provide more information about our programs or be of service.
Hans Williams, PhD
Dean, Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture
936.468.2313
hwilliams@sfasu.edu
About Arthur Temple Jr.
Arthur Temple Jr. was born in Texarkana, Arkansas, on April 8, 1920. His grandfather, T. L. L. Temple, founded the Southern Pine Lumber Company, and Arthur Jr. grew up in the lumber business. He worked as a bookkeeper at a company lumberyard at Paris and in 1941 became manager of a company lumberyard at Lufkin, making it one of the company's most profitable.
Following brief service in the U.S. Navy during World War II, he became executive vice president and general manager of Southern Pine Lumber Company, and following the death of his father, became company president in 1951. Temple began to modernize the company, which in 1963 became Temple Industries. Most notably, he advocated hiring college-trained foresters, led efforts in pioneering wood fiber and engineered wood technologies, and engaged in mortgage financing and banking.
Following Time Inc.'s 1973 acquisition of Temple Industries, Temple became vice chairman of the media conglomerate, and after Time Inc. spun off Temple-Inland in 1984, Temple served as board chairman of that company until 1991 and emeritus board chairman until his retirement in 1994.
As the head of a Fortune 500 company, Temple was a pioneer of environmental responsibility. He advocated the preservation of wildlife habitat at a time when the industry placed little value on such efforts, and Temple Industries became an industry leader in conservation and stewardship. Temple himself was the first major industry leader to support creation of the Big Thicket National Preserve.
Temple's philanthropic efforts through the T. L. L. Temple Foundation helped build libraries and schools in East Texas. He served on the boards of Lufkin's Salvation Army and Hospice in the Pines, the Humane Society of Angelina County, and Duke University. He received honorary doctorate degrees from both SFA and Pepperdine University and was named to the Texas Business Hall of Fame in 1983.