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CORVALLIS - The College of Forestry at Oregon State University has named one of its key laboratories after a Veneta family in recognition of the family's contributions to the college, the Forest Engineering Department, forestry research, and the natural resources industry.

The "Sam Konnie Family Forest Surveying and Road Design Laboratory" is named for the president of Swanson Brothers Lumber Co. and his family, including his wife, Bobbie Konnie, and son, Larry Konnie, who are partners in the corporation.

A 1951 graduate of OSU, Sam Konnie has been with Swanson Brothers for 47 years.

"The need for careful stewardship of our natural resources has never been greater, and the designation of this key teaching and research laboratory to honor the Konnie family is most appropriate," said Hal Salwasser, dean of the OSU College of Forestry. "The faculty and student work conducted in the lab is critical to the continued health of the industry, and the support of the Konnie family has been invaluable."

Support from the Konnie family has been directed toward the Department of Forest Engineering for equipment needs in the study of surveying and hydrology, two scholarships, a graduate teaching fellowship, a seminar series, undergraduate teaching resources, and student travel.

Sam Konnie is past president of the Oregon Logging Conference, and was the 1969 Tree Farmer of the Year. He also was tabbed as "Fisherman of the Year" by the Northwest Steelheaders Association in 1993 for work in restoring salmon and steelhead runs, and as "West Lane County Man of the Year" in 1994. Konnie is active in Habitat for Humanity, the Oregon Community Fund, and the Veneta Library.