 HOME |
 TURF TIPS |
 PUBLICATIONS |
 ACADEMICS |
 TURF LINKS |
Last updated 6/20/04 |
 |
TURF
ALUMNI NEWS June 2004 |
|
Dr. Doug Richmond recently accepted the turfgrass entomology faculty position at Purdue University. Doug is the first of the projected six positions of Purdue’s initiative on sustainable urban ecosystems. Dr. Richmond joins the Turf Program after completing his M.S. and Ph.D. at Ohio State University in Columbus under Dr. David Shetlar and his Post Doctorate at Ohio State Agricultural Research Center in Wooster under Dr. Parvandi Grewal. Doug’s extensive training in basic research makes him a perfect fit for this position, which has a research focus on fundamental questions of insect biology and behavior. Doug will also have minor teaching responsibilities for an undergraduate turf entomology class. The Turf Program is thrilled with Doug’s hire and looks forward to a strong synergism between Doug’s basic research, Dr. Tim Gibb’s applied research and extension, and the rest of the Turf Program. Doug officially began his position June 1, but will be traveling between West Lafayette and Wooster all summer completing a number of current research projects. Your first chance to meet Doug will be at the Midwest Regional Field Day on July 27 in West Lafayette.
May 2004
Bachelor of Science Degree Field of Employment Location Todd Armbruster lawn care/landscaping Aurora , IN Kristopher Barnett lawn care/landscaping Pendleton , IN Jonathan Bokmeyer graduate school Rutgers University Maureen Clark golf course Indianapolis , IN Robert Cline Andrew Eick golf course New York Bradley Eversole golf course Indianapolis , IN Kurt Germann golf course Ft. Wayne , IN Jordan Gill golf course Arizona Kevin Hamilton Jeffery Hermesch sports fields Indianapolis , IN Samuel Hippensteel landscaping Ft. Wayne , IN Joseph Postel golf course Ohio Phillip Werner lawn care/landscaping Jasper, IN
Dr. James B. Beard (MS ’59, PhD ’61) received an Honorary Doctorate on May 15, 2004. This award is the highest honor Purdue University can bestow upon an individual. He has a distinguished career as a scientist, teacher, and a worldwide leader in the turfgrass industry.
Jim Beard’s contributions to the turfgrass industry are immeasurable. He has authored or coauthored 131 refereed papers, 216 research reports, 455 popular articles, and 7 book chapters. In addition to these achievements, he has written six books, two of which are the customary references for the industry. “Turfgrass: Science and Culture” is in its 18th printing and is the most widely used textbook for undergraduate turf courses. “Turf Management for Golf Courses” is in its 2nd edition and is the standard for the golf industry. Jim’s research over the years has led to tremendous advances in the understanding of environmental stress physiology including winterkill, heat and drought, shade, and wear. He has impacted thousands of turf professionals all over the world.
His biggest supporter is his wife Harriett. The two of them grew up in Ohio. Though they attended different schools, they lived just across the road from one another. Jim and Harriett spend the summer in Michigan and the other six months in Texas. His two main forms of relaxation are fishing and writing. The latter often involves travel. He is currently working on a book that required travel to England for research of the subject.
A small reception was held in Dr. Beard’s honor at the W.H. Daniel Turfgrass Research and Diagnostic Center. Those in attendance included graduate students and professors during the time Jim was working toward his degrees at Purdue, current faculty and staff of Purdue, and students and colleagues from Michigan State University.
 |
| Jim and Harriett Beard |
 |
| Gwen Daniel (sitting), Steve Frazier, Charles Tadge, Gene Johanningsmeier, Jim Beard, Ted Woehrle, Ed Jordon, Don Clemans |
 |
| (Sitting) Diana Jordan, Christine Tadge, Gwen Daniel, Harriett Beard, Barbara Johanningsmeier, Mary Woerhle, and Ann Rieke (Standing) Dave Bolyard, Ed Jordan, Charlie Tadge, Gene Johanningsmeier, Jim Newman, Merle Teale, Jim Beard, Don Clemans, Ozzie Luetkemeier, Craig Beyrouty, Pete Cookingham, Cale Bigelow, Valerie Beyrouty, Ted Woehrle, Ashley Bigelow, Paul Rieke, Paul Vermuellen, Julie Vermuellen, Jim Ahlrichs, and Steve Frazier |
Lee Schmidt was honored as a Distinguished Ag Alumnus on April 2, 2004. He has a distinguished career as a golf course designer and developer. Lee and his wife, Jean and their children Kyle, 28, and Kelly, 26, have lived all over the world building golf courses. Lee and Jean now reside in Scottsdale, Arizona. However, there is still extensive travel involved in their lives with trips all over the world to oversee construction golf courses Lee is involved with.
Lee has been involved with the design and construction of over 70 golf courses worldwide since graduating from Purdue in 1970. In 1998 Lee Schmidt and Brian Curley created Schmidt-Curley Design. In its first five years, Schmidt-Curley has developed many highly acclaimed golf courses, including one of the largest golf developments ever, the Mission Hills Golf Club in Shenzhen, China. Lee has also developed several world-renowned golf courses with prominent golf professionals such as Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Fred Couples, Nick Faldo, and Annika Sorenstam.
There have been many Purdue graduates from the Schmidt family. To carry on the family’s Purdue legacy, Lee, his sister Lynn (home economics ’68), and brothers Tim (biology ’72) and Eric (ag sciences ’79) have established an endowed scholarship in the name of their parents Charles (animals sciences ’42) and Rosalee (home economics education ’39). The scholarship will be awarded each year to one student in Agronomy and one student in the School of Consumer and Family Sciences.
 |
(Front Row) Kelly, Rosalee, Charles, and Jean. |
Send corrections, suggestions, and comments to biehlj@purdue.edu