After nearly four decades of leading future foresters through stands of pine trees and into successful careers, Dale Greene, dean of the University of Georgia’s Daniel B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, has announced his retirement. Greene has served as the school’s dean since 2015, though his tenure at Warnell began in 1986 when he joined the school’s faculty. His retirement will be effective January 1, 2024. “Dean Greene has had a remarkable career as a teacher, researcher and administrator who prioritizes student success,” said UGA President Jere W. Morehead. “As a result of his exemplary leadership both as a faculty member and dean, Warnell is one of the top programs in the United States for forestry and natural resources and is well positioned to continue setting the national standard in these fields.” During Greene’s tenure, the Warnell School added several new faculty members; expanded outreach efforts; and grew funding for research, professorships and graduate assistantships. Nearly half of the school’s current faculty members were hired by Greene, with women now making up 20% of the faculty—a record high for the school. Greene also led efforts to increase funding for teaching and learning, more than doubling the number of named professorships, scholarships and fellowships available to faculty and students. Additional donations have supported technology upgrades throughout Warnell’s facilities. And recently, the sale of 2,500 acres of property in South Georgia, which was donated to Warnell in 1989 by Charles Wheatley, secured $18.5 million that will be used for instruction, research and building improvements. “Dean Greene has a clear commitment to UGA and to Warnell, and it has been a pleasure and privilege to work with him,” said S. Jack Hu, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. “His willingness to listen, to think through questions and issues and to act on new ideas have been assets to the school. I wish him all the best.” Teaching has always been Greene’s passion, and he says his hours spent in the classroom are among his favorite memories. He has served as an advisor to 49 graduate students. Today they represent leaders in forest business, logistics, tree health, consulting and other fields. Fellow professor and renowned deer researcher Karl Miller came to Warnell around the same year as Greene. They co-taught the school’s Senior Project capstone class for decades and developed a strong friendship that continues to this day. Miller, who retired in 2019, said Greene always put his students first. “Dale was not very tolerant of mediocrity or failure to do the work that needed to be done, but he was also concerned about students and their performance and their welfare in general,” said Miller. “He would bend over backwards to help them, if they took the initiative.” Over the years, four of Greene’s former students have been named Georgia Logger of the Year. Greene can also claim as his former students the state foresters for Georgia and South Carolina, Tim Lowrimore and Scott Phillips, respectively. Among his numerous teaching and professional awards, Greene received the Herrick Award for Superior Teaching and the Warnell Alumni Association Award for Outstanding Teaching. He was inducted into the Georgia Foresters Hall of Fame in 2007, received the Wise Owl Award from the Georgia Forestry Association in 2011 and was named a fellow of the Society of American Foresters in 2022. Outside of Warnell, Greene is active in many professional and service organizations. After shepherding his son through Boy Scouts, he continued to volunteer with the organization. He received the Silver Beaver Award from the Northeast Georgia Council of Boy Scouts of America in 2013 and the Billy Hudson Distinguished Citizen Award from the organization in 2023. Greene is also an active member or board member of the American Forest Foundation, the Georgia Forestry Association and the Georgia Forestry Foundation. “It’s been an honor and a privilege to be a part of the University of Georgia community and to work alongside some of the best and brightest forestry and natural resources professionals in the country,” said Greene. “I’ll always be a Bulldog, and Warnell will always be home.”
