Sightings | Alumni Profile

Bo Shaw:
Forestry -- and generosity -- are in his blood

by Laura Ertel

Bartow "Bo" Shaw F'64 grew up in the forestry business. His great-grandfather started a lumber mill back in the late 1800s, and as a child, Shaw visited the family mill often. His father and uncle sold forest products in their building supply business, and when his family acquired some timberland, young Shaw enjoyed working with the foresters each summer. So when it came time to choose his field of study, the decision was easy.

The South Carolinian earned a bachelor of science degree in forestry at Clemson University in 1963, then came to Duke for the one-year master of forestry program. "I wanted to focus on forest economics. That's the main reason I chose Duke," he explains. "The Duke faculty was internationally known; a lot of the old American forestry textbooks were written by Duke faculty members."

Today, Shaw is chairman of American Forest Management Inc., a consulting firm that provides services to private and corporate timberland owners, primarily in the Southeast and the Lake states, in forest and land management; also real estate brokering, investment and appraisal services, data management and technology and environmental management. One focus is helping a variety of timberland owners develop sustainable forestry systems.
"I feel good to have assembled a group of really fine, highly competent people in a company culture that stresses integrity," Shaw says. "Working together with a common goal, we've not only provided service to a lot of people; we've also made an impact on today's forestry landscape."

Shaw and his wife of 36 years, Vickey, have four grown children. It looks like the Shaw family's forestry lineage may end at this generation: as of now, none have followed in their father's woodland footsteps. He is especially proud of what all four of his children have accomplished in their chosen career paths. They all retain a deep appreciation of the outdoors, of what it can offer when managed properly, and of what responsibilities we all have to practice good stewardship. The Sumter, S.C., resident has many interests - church, golf, hunting, fishing and flying (he has had a pilot's license for 37 years) - but modestly claims, "I'm a master of none!"

Shaw says the impact Duke has had on his career goes far beyond the year he spent earning his degree. "There's no question that the people I was exposed to while I was at Duke broadened my thought process. I have maintained contact with people at the university ever since, getting input and going back for continuing education courses to enhance what I know and what I'm able to pass along. One of the unique things about Duke is the number of professional schools there and its interdisciplinary philosophy. It gives you different perspectives and broadens your view."

Much of Shaw's ongoing connection with Duke has been maintained through his contributions as a volunteer. For 10 years, he represented the Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences on the Duke Annual Fund Executive Committee, and he remains an active member of the school's Board of Visitors. In 1999, Shaw and his family established the Bartow Shaw Family Fellowship to provide support for graduate students at the Nicholas School.

"I've always felt that you can make an impact by enabling some really capable and bright young people to take advantage of what Duke has to offer," he says. "I know it's a clich?, but I've always believed that you receive much more when you give. Through my involvement with Duke, I've met other people who are giving because they love the university, and I've made some great friends."

In appreciation for all that he has given to this institution and to the field of forestry, on April 11 Shaw received the Ralston Distinguished Alumni Award, the Nicholas School's highest alumni honor. It was a small way that Duke could give back for all that the university has received from this generous gentleman.

Laura Ertel is a freelance writer based in Durham, N.C. She writes regularly for programs and publications at Duke and other North Carolina universities, organizations, and companies.