The College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, or CFWE, at Auburn University has announced the retirement of Edward Loewenstein, the college’s former associate dean of academic affairs.
Loewenstein, who is an expert in uneven-aged forest management selection, silvics, natural regeneration and the ecology and silviculture of oaks, also was the former associate professor of silviculture.
Loewenstein served as associate dean for academic affairs for four years before returning to an academic role as a professor of silviculture, where he taught environmental ethics, silviculture, senior capstone project, undergraduate seminar and introduction to renewable natural resources. He co-instructed Forest Biology as part of the Forestry Summer Practicum at the Solon Dixon Forestry Education Center from 2008-22.
At the college, Loewenstein was honored with the CFWE Forestry Club Teacher of the Year Award in 2003 and 2011. He also received the Harold E. Christen Award for Service to Teaching in 2019 and the Harry Murphy Award for Excellence in Advising in 2021.
The primary emphasis of his research during his career has focused on uneven-aged silviculture. His competitive research funding as either the principal investigator or co-principal investigator totals over five million dollars. Loewenstein has peer reviewed more than 75 articles submitted to various scientific journals. Since 2011, he has served as an associate editor for the “Open Journal of Forestry.”
Loewenstein has been a Society of American Foresters, or SAF, member since 1985. He served as the treasurer of the Alabama division from 2007-22, twice served as the chair of the local War Eagle chapter in 2010 and 2019 and served as chair of the Southeastern Division in 2012. He was elected an SAF Fellow in 2013 and currently serves on the Southeastern SAF fellows selection committee.
Loewenstein also was recently added to the Alabama Forester’s Hall of Fame.
A graduate of the Auburn University Forest Biology master’s program, Loewenstein earned his doctorate from the University of Missouri in 1996 in silviculture. He then served as a research forester for six years with the U.S. Forest Service.
Loewenstein plans to remain in Auburn with his wife Nancy Loewenstein, an extension specialist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.
“Dr. Loewenstein has been a valuable faculty member in our college through his fostering of engaging classroom environments and successful research efforts in both writing and reviewing projects,” said Janaki Alavalapati, dean of the College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment. “He has certainly left a positive impact on this institution and the college is deeply grateful for his hard work and dedication.”
(Written by Avanelle Elmore)
