University of Wisconsin System Fellow and Professor of Global Conservation at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP), as well as former chief of the U.S. Forest Service and former director of the Bureau of Land Management, Michael Dombeck, will be receiving an honorary degree from Haverford College in Pennsylvania. A native of Wisconsin, Dombeck�s honorary degree will be conferred during Haverford�s commencement exercises on May 20.

Dombeck received his bachelor�s degree in biology and master�s degree in biology and education from UWSP. He also received a master�s in zoology from the University of Minnesota and a doctorate in fisheries biology from Iowa State University.

Traditionally, Haverford awards four honorary degrees annually to individuals who have distinguished themselves in the sciences, letters, or the arts.

"I am delighted to receive such an honor from one of America�s most prestigious liberal arts institutions," said Dombeck. "My hope is to live up to this honor and to the high ideals of Haverford."

A member of the UWSP faculty since 2001, Dombeck is a nationally renowned conservationist with over 25 years experience in managing federal lands and natural resources. Dombeck has focused much of his efforts on sustainable forest ecosystem management, watershed health and restoration, fisheries management, and countless public speaking engagements both nationally and internationally. He is the recipient of the prestigious Lady Bird Johnson Conservation Award, the Audubon Medal and the Distinguished Executive Award, the highest award in federal service.

A prolific author, Dombeck has authored, co-authored, and edited over 200 scholarly and popular publications. Two of his personal works are "Watershed Restoration: Principles and Practices," and "From Conquest to Conservation: Our Public Lands Legacy." He led the U.S. Department of Agriculture�s Forest Service from 1997 to April 2001 and the Department of the Interior�s Bureau of Land Management from 1994 to 1997. Dombeck is the only person ever to have led the two largest land management agencies in the United States involving nearly 500 million acres of public lands.

He resides near Stevens Point with his wife, Patricia.