Mississippi Lumber Group Partners with MSU to Advance Mass Timber

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster):  Mississippi State University and the Mississippi Lumber Manufacturers Association have teamed up to drive innovation in mass timber manufacturing, construction and design, with a research emphasis on sustainable wood construction, strength and durability.

The new partnership has established the Mississippi Lumber Manufacturers Association Endowed Professorship in Innovative Wood Construction and Design at MSU. The endowment will be housed in the College of Forest Resources’ Department of Sustainable Bioproducts, with a joint appointment in the College of Architecture, Art and Design’s School of Architecture.

“There are lots of exciting construction technologies using wood that have been developed in recent years, but it’s not guaranteed tomorrow’s architects and structural engineers will get the opportunity to learn about them while in college,” said Trey Hankins, MLMA vice president and chief financial officer of Hankins Inc., a Mississippi-based lumber manufacturer. “Since forestry is such an important part of Mississippi’s economy, MLMA felt it was worth the investment to ensure our state’s students become familiar with innovative wood technologies. That way, Mississippi’s landowners, loggers and sawmill workers can all benefit from the economic growth these innovations will bring.”

Wes Burger, dean of the College of Forest Resources and director of the university’s Forest and Wildlife Research Center, said the endowment further positions MSU as an innovator in sustainable building products and design.

“MSU’s and MLMA’s commitment to advancing education, research and outreach in mass timber is essential for the growth of sustainable construction in our region,” he said. “This partnership empowers MSU to equip future professionals in wood science, architectural design and construction science with the knowledge and skills needed to drive economic development and environmental stewardship throughout Mississippi and beyond.”

Applications for the endowed professorship position will open this fall with an expected starting date of August 2025.
The position will also focus on mass timber learning opportunities for architects in the Magnolia State and across the Southeast.

 Courtesy: www.woodworkingnetwork.com