We would like to take time to recognize two outstanding Hocking alumni: Christopher Dodge and Jeremy Cross. 

Dodge, a 2006 graduate of Wildlife Management and Forest Management, has started a new position as a state wildlife officer in Ohio. On October 9, 2011 he began active duty in Hocking County. Before becoming a state wildlife officer, Dodge worked at Deer Creek State Park and Deer Creek Wildlife Area of Mount Sterling, Ohio.

"I'm excited about my new assignment," said Dodge, "and I'm looking forward to working with the sportsmen and women of Hocking County."   
 
Dodge will be responsible for enforcing wildlife laws on public and private lands and providing assistance to other law enforcement agencies as needed. He will also contact many Ohio sportsmen and women in the field, perform fish and wildlife surveys, advise on nuisance wildlife issues and give presentations on wildlife management, hunter education, trapping and fishing. 

Jeremy Cross, a 2002 Ranger Services graduate, was selected on October 17, 2011 as the Wood County parks director in Wood County, West Virginia. Wood County commissioners voted Cross in after a series of interviews. More than 40 people applied for this newly created position. Prior to the appointment, Cross was a park superintendent at Hawks Nest State Park. 

The new job will include supervision of all three Wood County parks: Mountwood, Veterans and Fort Boreman Historic Park. Commissioners said he has been previously responsible for a multitude of duties, including personnel supervision, budgeting, fundraising, new projects, recreation and park management.