Wildlife, fisheries and aquaculture students at Mississippi State University recently received top honors from the Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society.

Members of MSU’s student organization affiliated with the American Fisheries Society received the 2012 Outstanding Subunit Award during the society’s regional meeting held in early February in Nashville. To be considered for the award, student chapters throughout the Southeast submitted a list of activities and community service projects performed throughout 2012 and a letter of recommendation.

“The AFS subunit at MSU is one of the most active and professional student-led organizations within the College of Forest Resources,” said Wes Neal, faculty advisor and associate Extension professor of fisheries. “They are known for always displaying professionalism while representing the department, college and university. The MSU subunit has had a tremendous year, and I believe they are truly deserving of this award.”

During 2012, MSU’s student AFS chapter helped conduct the 2012 AFS Southern Division meeting, held in Biloxi. They assisted the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks with fish sampling and habitat creation at Lake Lowndes near Columbus. The group helped clean up local streams and taught fish biology and aquatic ecology to the Starkville Science Club.

Members of the AFS student chapter serve their communities and gain skills that shape their career paths.

“Such an achievement by these highly motivated students in our program reflects well on their professional development and future contributions towards our critically important fisheries resources,” said Bruce Leopold, executive director of the Center for Human-Wildlife Conflicts in MSU’s Forest and Wildlife Research Center and head of the department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture in MSU’s College of Forest Resources. “It truly demonstrates teamwork, professionalism, and collegiality --keys to any successful professional.”