UAM forestry faculty earn top regional honors for leadership, excellence
Both awardees were nominated by a collection of their peers within the forestry community and selected by the Arkansas Division of the Ouachita Society of American Foresters. Their accomplishments underscore UAM’s reputation for excellence in forestry education and research.
Oct. 20, 2025
By Traci Rushing
U of A System Division of Agriculture – UAM College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources
Fast Fact:
- Matthew Pelkki, Sagar Chhetri were honored for their contributions to the forestry industry
- Pelkki received the Ted Chancey Career Award for dedication to the forestry industry
- Chhetri received the Tim Ku Young Forester Award in recognition of his innovative contributions to the forestry industry
#480 words with art
MONTICELLO, Ark. — Two forestry professors with the University of Arkansas at Monticello were recently recognized by their peers for their outstanding contributions to the profession –Matthew Pelkki for his distinguished years of service and impact on the forestry industry and Sagar Godar Chhetri as a rising leader in the field.
certificates honoring from Jaret Rushing, extension forestry instructor. (UAM image)
Pelkki, UAM professor of forest business, director of the Arkansas Center for Forest Business and George Clippert endowed chair, received the Ted Chancey Career Award and Chhetri, UAM assistant professor of forest economics, received the Dr. Tim Ku Young Forester Award at the 2025 Western Gulf States Society of American Foresters meeting. Both awardees were nominated by a collection of their peers within the forestry community and selected by the Arkansas Division of the Ouachita Society of American Foresters. Their accomplishments underscore UAM’s reputation for excellence in forestry education and research.
“It’s great to see Drs. Pelkki and Chhetri be recognized by the Arkansas forest community like this,” said Dr. Michael Blazier, dean of the College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources. “It highlights that the Arkansas Center for Forest Business has service-minded, valued experts at all stages of an academic career.”
Pelkki – Recipient of the Ted Chancey Career Award
Pelkki has been a member of the UAM forestry faculty since 2001. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing the forestry profession through education, research and service. His teaching and research focus on forest-based economic development, forest management and forest products and markets. During his tenure, Pelkki established the Arkansas Center for Forest Business and actively serves as its director.
The Ted Chancey Career Award honors a distinguished career of service characterized by outstanding contributions, diverse accomplishments and leadership in advancing the forestry profession at the local, regional and national levels.
“Dr. Pelkki’s reputations speaks for itself,” said Dr. Shaun Tanger, associate director of the Arkansas Center for Forest Business. “The award is obviously well-deserved given the multitude of contributions to Arkansas forestry over the last twenty plus years.”
Chhetri – Recipient of the Dr. Tim Ku Young Forester Award
Chhetri joined the UAM forestry faculty in 2022 specializing in forest economics, policy, finance and taxation. His research integrates social, economic and ecological perspectives to promote sustainable forest management. Chhetri also has over five years of professional experience in international forestry projects related to forest carbon inventories, forest certification, econometric and geospatial modeling, REDD+ programs — Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, plus conservation, sustainable management of forests, and the enhancement of forest carbon stocks — and ecosystem service valuation.
The Dr. Tim Ku Young Forester Award honors emerging forestry professionals who, within the first decade of service, have shown exemplary leadership and meaningful contributions to the advancement of the forestry profession.
“Dr. Chhetri has been a great addition to the business center and the school,” said Tanger. “The thing that stands out to me has been his eagerness to volunteer when it comes to service assignments. He always answers the call with a positive attitude.”
About the College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Arkansas Forest Resources Center
The College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources, and the Arkansas Forest Resources Center, a University of Arkansas System Center of Excellence, brings together interdisciplinary expertise through a partnership between the University of Arkansas at Monticello and the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. The College and Center are headquartered at the University of Arkansas at Monticello campus, but their programs range statewide with the mission of developing and delivering teaching, research, and extension programs that enhance and ensure the sustainability and productivity of forest-based natural resources and agricultural systems. Academic programs are delivered by the College of Forestry, Agriculture, and Natural Resources through the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Through the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, research is administered by the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, and extension and outreach activities are coordinated by the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.
Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.
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Media Contact: Traci Rushing • trushing@uada.edu • 870-460-1852