Dr. Goerndt is an associate professor in the Environmental Plant Sciences and Natural Resources department at the Darr College of Agriculture. During his time at the university, Dr. Goerndt has developed a forestry curriculum that includes courses in forest ecology, forest measurements, silviculture, and dendrology.
During 2021, Dr. Goerndt received an award named Outstanding Forester Award, which was presented by the Missouri Society of American Foresters. This award is presented annually to a recipient for significant contributions to Forestry in Missouri over the course of one calendar year. This time, Dr. Goerndt broke the tradition as he was awarded it based on his building of the Natural Resources program at Missouri State University. His great contributions to the industry and university did not go unnoticed. The individual who nominated Dr. Goerndt for this award was a former student of his who now works for the United States Forest Service in Columbia, Mo.
When asked about receiving this award, Dr. Goerndt proudly shared, “I feel extremely humbled and very grateful for the recognition of my efforts in developing a Forestry Program at MSU. I was very surprised to get the award, as I see my efforts as fulfilling a need for the students and for the field of Forestry in the Missouri Ozarks”. Dr. Goerndt continued, “My greatest pleasure in receiving this award was that Dacoda Maddox nominated and presented it to me. Dacoda was truly my first protégé in Forestry here at MSU and I think of him very fondly.”
Most recently, Dr. Goerndt was rewarded with the Blackjack Forester Award. This is award presented at the annual Missouri Natural Resources Conference. The plaque is a slice of Blackjack oak burl which was found and cut by a Missouri Department of Conservation forester in years past. When asking about how the award is determined, Dr. Goerndt jokingly mentioned, “The Blackjack Forester Award is presented to the forester which displays the following Blackjack characteristics: swollen butt, fire scars, dead limbs, low vigor, low value, poor form, and wormy”. Dr. Goerndt continued to share about the award. “During the Missouri Natural Resources Conference, there are two jars set out at the Missouri Society of American Foresters booth, each with the name of a Missouri Forester taped to the front. The nomination of the two foresters is very informal and usually happens on the spot amongst foresters that are at the conference. This time, I was one of the nominees”. During the first two days of the conference, individuals will put money in the jar of the forester they believe should receive the award. All proceeds go to the Missouri Society of American Foresters.
The Blackjack Forester Award is known to be a fun and engaging award that occurs at the conference. When asked about how Dr. Goerndt feels about receiving this award, he stated “As for the Blackjack award, it just further increases my fondness and feeling of camaraderie with my fellow Missouri Foresters. Missouri has some wonderful Foresters who work well together and care for one another. It has been my pleasure during my time at MSU to forge friendships and fruitful working relationships with many of these individuals. I look forward to continuing our work together in the future”.
Congratulations to Dr. Goerndt, once again, for receiving these awards and continuing to make great contributions to the Darr College of Agriculture’s students and staff