College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Forestry

MSU Forestry is pleased to announce the creation of a new endowment by generous donor and forestry alum Richard (Dick) Cooper (B.S., ‘68). The Dr. Bob Marty Endowed Fund for Forestry Education will provide educational opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a degree offered in the Department of Forestry who have demonstrated financial need.

Dick was inspired by current undergraduate student Rachel Adams, featured in the summer 2025 edition of The MSU Forester.

“Rachel’s story of how she ‘discovered’ forestry was almost the same as mine in the 1960s,” said Dick. After graduating from the program with a degree in Forest Management, Dick worked for the State of Idaho Land Department for eight years before starting his own consulting business in northwest lower Michigan. “I’ve been very successful and lucky to have found my ‘calling’ and to have gotten the education at MSU that allowed me to be successful as a consulting forester,” he said.

Dick attributes much of his professional success to the guidance and inspiration of his forest economics professor, Dr. Robert Marty. With a deep appreciation for the opportunities his education provided, Dick established this endowed scholarship to help future students pursue a degree in Forestry. His hope is that this award will increase accessibility and open doors for individuals who share a passion for sustainable forest management and stewardship.

Dick also established the CooperTen National Scholarship through the Practicing Foresters Institute (PFI), which was awarded most recently to Dustin Lambries, an undergraduate student in MSU Forestry. Through this scholarship, Dustin gained hands-on experience in forestry consulting, sustainable practices and resource management across various regions in the United States during summer of 2025.

We are grateful to Dick for his thoughtfulness and generosity. Please visit us online at for.msu.edu/marty if you would like to contribute to the Dr. Bob Marty Endowed Fund for Forestry Education.