Jeff Roman Clayton IV
A nationally recognized forestry program, deeply committed faculty and a family-oriented atmosphere helped lure Jeff Roman Clayton IV from his hometown of Theodore, Alabama, to Starkville.
Though once a passionate University of Alabama football fan who envisioned pursuing his higher education in Tuscaloosa, the senior forestry major said an evolving interest in natural resources during high school鈥斺渂ecause of my love for the outdoors鈥濃攍ed him to the sister Southeastern Conference university, Mississippi 大象APP.
鈥淚 toured campus and noticed how close-knit and supportive the community was,鈥 he said, in recalling his first visit to Starkville. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a large university, but the College of Forest Resources is very interconnected.鈥
Clayton said his initial impressions of MSU have held true throughout the last four years. He gives particular credit to David Evans, the college鈥檚 Sharp Professor of Forestry who 鈥渢aught me more than just dendrology; he taught me how to become a professional.鈥
He added, 鈥淎ll the professors here are incredibly helpful and capable. Not only are they knowledgeable about the biology and ecology behind forestry, but they have real-world experience within the industry.鈥
In preparing for a career, the Dean鈥檚 List Scholar has taken advantage of several leadership opportunities. He has enjoyed being a College of Forest Resources Ambassador because 鈥淚 love telling young people about the program, and everything that鈥檚 available to them if they decide to come here. I want to share the opportunities that I had, so they can make an educated life choice.鈥澛
Also, Clayton鈥檚 role as president of the nationally ranked MSU Bass Fishing Club 鈥渉as taught me about leadership, business and marketing鈥 because 鈥渨e do a lot of our own fundraising and, last year, raised $40,000 to help with the cost of fishing tournaments.鈥 Club involvement 鈥渉as honed my abilities as an angler by giving me the chance to compete against some of the nation鈥檚 top anglers in the country.鈥
This is important because 鈥渕y dream job would be working as a professional angler, but I also would thoroughly enjoy working in the timberland industry. I am pursuing both career paths full throttle in preparation for the opportunities that may come my way. I live my life on what my father once told me. He said, 鈥榃ork hard, treat people ethically, and leave the rest to God.鈥欌澛
