A $5 million commitment from the head of Roseburg Forest Products and his wife has created an endowment for the College of Forestry dean’s position at Oregon State University.

“For more than a century, the College of Forestry has been at the forefront of OSU’s efforts to produce research and graduates that enhance the state of Oregon,” said OSU President Ed Ray. “Today it is considered among the best forestry programs in the world, and it is a critical part of the university’s focus on sustainable earth ecosystems and economic growth.

“This visionary gift from Allyn and Cheryl Ford illustrates that in tough economic times smart people redouble efforts to preserve the path to excellence,” Ray said. “Their investment assures that the college will have outstanding leadership for the next century and beyond.”