Wildlife, Fisheries, & Aquaculture
Endowed Chairs


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Bryan Endowment for Bobwhite Restoration


James C. Kennedy Endowed Chair in Upland Gamebird Ecology

Jimmy Bryan, established the Bryan Endowment for Bobwhite Habitat Restoration at MSU with the mission to “…advance restoration of bobwhite quail populations and southeastern native grasslands as a component of working agricultural landscapes through research, conservation and education.”

James C. Kennedy established the James C. Kennedy Endowed Chair in Upland Bird Ecology at MSU. Kennedy, who funded an endowed chair in waterfowl ecology at MSU, is an avid waterfowl hunter and conservationist.

The combined commitments to science-driven conservation by Bryan and Kennedy provide new passion, energy, and resources to train students and conduct cutting-edge research to restore bobwhite quail and upland bird populations throughout the Midsouth.

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St. John Family Endowed Professor of Wildlife Management


Drew and Kathy St. John established the St. John Family Endowed Professorship in Wildlife Management. The professorship provides support for Dr. Bronson Strickland, to lead an educational program in applied wildlife science and assist landowners with better management of natural resources.

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Image Alternative Text: white-tailed deer

Taylor Chair in Applied Big Game Research and Instruction


Established by Phyllis Taylor and the late Patrick Taylor, the Taylor Chair is Dr. Steve Demarais, a founding member of the MSU Deer Lab. The Taylor Chair provides oversight and direction to the MSU Deer Lab’s efforts to solve contemporary problems facing natural resource agencies, managers, and private landowners.

2020 Annual Report   2023 Annual Report


Image Alternative Text: student holding a duck

James C. Kennedy Endowed Chair in Waterfowl and Wetlands Conservation


The Mission of the James C. Kennedy Endowed Chair in Waterfowl & Wetlands Conservation

Sustain in perpetuity an internationally recognized, university program in teaching, research, and service focused on (1) gaining science-based knowledge for understanding and conserving waterfowl and other wetland wildlife species, populations, and communities, as well as their habitats; (2) educating current and future waterfowl and wetlands scientists and conservationists; and (3) providing outreach on waterfowl and wetlands ecology and conservation for public and private stake-holders.

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