John Major ‘77
Major: Geology and Biology
Profession: Chief of the Bureau of Wildlife, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Hometown: Schenectady, NY

As a St. Lawrence student, John Major always had an interest in the outdoors. But it was through his relationships with two of his professors that he learned how much he enjoyed working with wildlife. As a double major in biology and geology, he was a teaching assistant for botany and ecology classes. He also conducted research in coyote tracking with Prof. John Green and vertebrate zoology research with small mammals with Prof. Ken Crowell (both are now retired). He has used many of the research skills he learned at St. Lawrence in his graduate research and in his career in wildlife management.

After he graduated from St. Lawrence, John obtained his master’s degree in wildlife management and Ph.D. in forest resources. He worked for the US Agency for International Development as a consulting ecologist in Washington, DC, and several African countries. He joined the DEC in 1984 and has held several positions. He also is the author of several scientific publications and is an avid outdoor recreationist. His education and mentoring by his professors at St. Lawrence University helped him to deepen his knowledge of and love for wildlife and the outdoors.