Campus Life

'Favorite trees' is topic of Colloquy Series talk at Penn State Mont Alto

Departing Penn State Mont Alto faculty member to lead arboretum tour during farewell reception

Beth Brantley, Penn State Mont Alto associate teaching professor of forest technology, will lead a tour of the Mont Alto Arboretum during her farewell reception on April 10, 2019. Credit: Debra Collins / Penn State. Creative Commons

MONT ALTO, Pa. — Penn State Mont Alto will host its final Colloquy Series talk of the spring semester on April 10, when Associate Teaching Professor of Forest Technology Elizabeth (Beth) Brantley will lead a tour of the Penn State Mont Alto Arboretum during a farewell reception in her honor from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Heritage Room of The Mill Café.

Brantley’s tour will run from 12:20 to 1:10 p.m., during which time she will stop along the way to discuss her favorite trees and answer questions from the audience.

The reception and tour are open to the public and free of charge. Members of the campus and local communities, as well as former students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends, are invited to attend the reception and join in the tour.

“I am excited to share some of the special trees in the Mont Alto Arboretum and their interesting stories,” said Brantley. “Penn State Mont Alto has provided a wonderful opportunity to watch the trees grow over the years and to learn with the incredible students at this campus.”

Brantley first came to Penn State Mont Alto in 1997 and has taught courses in forestry, plant biology, and wildlife. In June, she will assume a new position with Bartlett Tree Experts — a scientific tree and shrub care company, according to its website.

“While we are happy for Beth as she moves her career in a new direction, we are sorry to see her go,” said Penn State Mont Alto Chief Academic Officer Michael Doncheski. “Her dedication to forestry, our program, and teaching in general has played an important role in shaping the future of hundreds of forestry students. We wish her the best in her new position. I know she will continue to find important ways to share her expertise.”

Brantley holds a bachelor of science in biology from Stetson University, a master of forestry in forest resource management from Duke University, and a doctorate in plant pathology from Penn State.

Her research interests include forest health monitoring, butternut canker, tree risk assessment, and fungal-plant community interactions.

For more information about the event, contact Debra Collins, director of public relations and marketing, at dlc43@psu.edu or 717-749-6112.

Last Updated April 8, 2019