Born 1923
Professor of Agronomy
Earned notoriety as acclaimed geneticist

Shed New Light on Crop Genetics

In 45 years of teaching, research and administration at Cornell, Iowa State, Purdue and Colorado State universities, Agronomy Legend Wayne F. Keim, now retired, made significant contributions as a teacher and researcher.

His coursework centered on genetics. His research included genetics, breeding, physiology, cytology and seed production in perennial forage legumes.

He particularly enjoyed recruiting young people to the field, often visiting Indiana high schools while a professor at Purdue, where he twice was named Best Teacher. His genetics labs were popular and effective because of the hands-on experiences offered, and his lectures often spiced with humor.
 
Keim published widely, served as president of the Crop Science Society of America and received the Agronomic Education Award from the American Society of Agronomy, among other honors. He was also active in the Genetics Society of America, Botanical Society of America and American Genetics Association.

Education
1947                B.S., with distinction, University of Nebraska, agronomy and mathematics
1949                M.S., Cornell University, genetics
1952                Ph.D., Cornell University, genetics and plant breeding

Purdue Years
1956 – 1975

Career Highlights
1952 – 1956    Instructor and Professor, Iowa State University
1956 – 1958    Assistant Professor of Agronomy, Purdue University
1958 – 1961    Associate Professor of Agronomy, Purdue University
1961 – 1975    Professor of Agronomy, Purdue University
1962 – 1963    Science Faculty Fellow, National Science Foundation
                           Lund University, Sweden
1965                  Best Teacher, Purdue School of Agriculture (also in 1968)
1968                  American Society of Agronomy, Fellow
1970                  Harbison-Danforth Foundation Teaching Award
1971 – 1972     Visiting Professor, Colorado State University
                           American Society of Agronomy, Agronomic Education Award
1975 – 1992    Professor and Agronomy Department Head, Colorado State University