Chair’s Message

The sound of the future is ringing in my ears! Outside ofmy second floor office are the beginnings of a new faceon venerable Johnson Hall on the Pullman campus.Groundbreaking began in Summer 2003 to build a newwing along Stadium Way—Plant Biosciences I. The researchand teaching labs in this new wing will support many of ourstate and federal research and teaching programs. Checkout the live web cam linked to our http://css.wsu.edu/web page to view the building progress! The USDA alsoapproved funding for the design of another addition onthe east side of Johnson Hall, which will provide futurefacilities for remaining ARS and state programs. Plans foradditional new buildings at Prosser and Mt. Vernon promiseto provide modernized facilities for our programs at thoselocations as well.

We have a new boss with a familiar face! Dr. R. James Cook,endowed Chair of Wheat Research and CSS instructor ofCrops 403/503, Cropping Systems, has taken on the positionof interim Dean of the College after Dr. James J. Zuichesstepped down this past summer. Dr. Zuiches was instrumen-tal in guiding the building projects described above, and healso successfully lobbied for a change in the name of ourcollege to the College of Agricultural, Human, and NaturalResource Sciences. Dr. Zuiches was a staunch supporter ofCSS programs and we thank him for his years of dedicatedadministrative service to CSS, the College, and WSU.Dr. Cook is rolling up his sleeves to be an active leader.In his own words, “The last thing I want to be is a lameduck Dean.” Dr. Cook is challenging us to redesign ourundergraduate programs under larger cross-unit andpotentially cross-college degree programs such as PlantSciences and Agricultural Systems. Dr. Cook provides uswith a strong voice of advocacy for mission-directed,science-based research, teaching, and outreach.

A continuing decline in state support for higher educationtook its toll again this year, as our state funding for CSSprograms was cut by $250,000. Ongoing budget pressuresare forcing us to shift the funding base of our researchtechnological staff from state to grant support. Fortunately,our outstanding faculty and staff brought in over $6 millionin new grants and contracts to support our programs thispast year. Unfortunately, the newly created program inweed science/weed ecology at Prosser was eliminated whenDr. Marty Williams accepted an ARS position in Illinois.Additional technologist support at Prosser was also lost withthe budget cut. On the brighter side, we are pleased towelcome Dr. Richard Koenig and spouse, Dr. Theresa Cerny.Dr. Koenig is filling the soil fertility research/extensionposition vacated by Dr. Greg Schwab, who accepted a

position at the University of Kentucky. Dr. Koenig earnedhis Ph.D. in our program (1993) and spent time at ColoradoState and Utah State Universities before coming back home.Dr. Cerny, an ornamental horticulturist by training, will becontributing to CSS and Horticulture teaching programs.We also welcomed geostatistician Dr. Rick Rossi, anotherWSU grad, back to Johnson Hall as a member of the Centerfor Precision Agriculture team directed by Dr. Fran Pierce.Dr. Shiou Kuo returned home from his professional leave inTaiwan where he studied environmental soils issues.

Kudos to Dr. Tim Miller, who was promoted to E-3, associateextension specialist in 2003; Tim is initiating a weed sciencegraduate training program at the Mt. Vernon R&E Center.Thanks to Dr. Bill Johnston for his collaboration with WallaWalla Community College to institutionalize an articulationagreement for transferring turf students.

Provost Robert Bates paid a visit to our department and wegave him an overview of our diverse programs. Dr. Batesis challenging us to raise our game to the next level. Lastspring we held a statewide faculty and staff retreat at theLazy F ranch near Ellensburg. It was a great opportunityfor us to get reacquainted with our statewide colleagues.We tackled some tough issues of accountability, respect,team building, and communication; all essential founda-tions for moving us to that next level. The retreat providedan excellent starting point from which our department willimprove our focus and direction.

Operations in the CSS main office are settling down asnew staffers John Brabb, Dori Emerson, and Nancy Beanare adding new energy and expertise while Mary KateAlexander, Deb Marsh, Judi Wutzke, and Paul Gyllingrealign their roles and responsibilities to best coordinateteam efforts and to best utilize talents of the new staff.Improved efficiencies in financial management andreporting, improved faculty, and student services are beingrealized with these changes . . . as the jack hammers andconstruction trucks continue to rumble just a few feet away.

• Bill Pan, Chair

On the front cover:Plant Biosciences Building Groundbreaking, L to R: State Sen. Larry Sheahan;WSU Regent Peter Goldmark; State Rep. Mark Schoesler; WSU President V. LaneRawlins; Joseph Jen, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Undersecretary for Research,Education, and Economics; R. James Cook, interim dean of the College ofAgricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences; Antoinette Betschart,area director of the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service’sPacific West area.

Put Me in theGame, Coach!

So Coach Doba thinks he has it toughfilling positions when players get injured?We have been continually challenged tooffer the best academic experiences possibleto our students and we are indebted toseveral key instructors who have filled theranks as faculty retire, positions are lost tobudget cuts, and other faculty take profes-sional leave. Dr. Cathy Perillo has played anessential role in teaching many soils courseswhile creating some exciting new courses insustainable agriculture. Dr. Chris Pannkuk islending his international experiences to ourcourse on World Cropping Systems with Dr. SteveUllrich, while Dr. Lynne Carpenter-Boggs, KathyColin-Peck, and Blake Ketchum have stepped upto fill temporary voids created during facultyprofessional leaves being taken by Dr. John Reganoldand Dr. Alan Busacca. Dr. Colin Campbell, scientistwith Decagon Devices, Inc., generously offers his timeand energy to instruct Environmental Biophysics,a course established by his father, Dr. Gaylon Campbell.Dr. Perillo, Dr. Joan Davenport and Dr. Stevens taughtSoil Fertility as I stepped into the Chair position. Specialthanks to Joan and Bob for all of that travel between Prosserand Pullman, and to other faculty such as Dr. Craig Coggerand Dr. Eric Miltner for making the occasional trek to Pullman to deliver guest lectures! Dr. Gwen Stahnke developed twoweb-based courses for our ever growing turf program (61% of CSS undergraduate majors) which she manages from Puyallup.Dr. Kim Campbell, USDA-ARS wheat geneticist, continues to donate her time and energy in instructing our undergraduateseminar course and team-teaching our graduate crop breeding course while directing the Central Asia project that was initiatedby Dr. Tom Lumpkin prior to his departure.

• Bill Pan, Chair

1

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Dr. Dave Somers earned a B.S. in Soil Science in 1974 from the University of Maine, and hisM.S. and Ph.D. in 1978 and 1983, respectively under the mentorship of Drs. Andy Kleinhofsand Bob Warner. He was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Plant Genetic Manipulation

Group, Botany Department, University of Nottingham, UK in 1983 before accepting aposition at the Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, University of Minnesota as

assistant professor in 1984. In 1993, Dave accepted an endowed chair position in the Depart-ment of Agronomy and Genetics titled “Applications of Molecular Genetics to Crop Improvement.”

In 1999, he was inducted as Fellow of the Crop Science Society of America and the American Society of Agronomy.Recently, he received the Award of Merit from the Minnesota Chapter of Gamma Sigma Delta, the Honor Society ofAgriculture.

Dave has already achieved high distinction in science and he gives much of the credit to his training and experience atWashington State University, although I must add that his native intelligence and drive for achievement and perfectionalso has much to do with it. The Department of Agronomy and Genetics at the University of Minnesota is very fortunateto have Dave as a faculty member and the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences at Washington State University is veryproud to have him as an alumnus.

Dave enjoys fishing as a compelling hobby, particularly with a fly. While at WSU, he became an avid steelhead fishermanand we spent many an enjoyable hour together on the river and often discussed science while driving back and forth. Ithink that some of our better research ideas evolved from those discussions. Dave continues his love affair with fishing,but the opportunities in Minnesota are more limited. Therefore, he makes occasional trips back to Washington state tofish for steelhead. Dave is married to his long-time sweetheart Ann and they have three lovely daughters who are almostgrown up now.

• Andy Kleinhofs, Professor/Scientist

Kathy Colin-Peck speaks on the subject of organicgardening and farming

ARCPACSARCPACS

2

Musings of an Emeritus

My sympathy to the departmentchairman. If he can only figureout some way to print money,then everybody will be happy.The battle for funds is awe-some and requires understand-ing and support from all of us.

It is heartwarming to see theadded emphasis on attention to ourstudents. We should be sobered by thefact that only 5–10% of them will be filling positionsin academia. We need to prepare the other 90% foremployment in the non-academic arena. They are theones who justify our existence as a department. I hopewe instill in them the philosophy of professionalism asfollowed by doctors, engineers, foresters, etc. Indeed, weare all professionals, and if we are successful in our endeav-ors, we must live up to that philosophy of helping othersand helping society. To be identified as professionals inour field, all agronomists, especially those in non-academicarenas, should be certified through ARCPACS (AmericanRegistry of Certified Professionals in Agronomy, Crops andSoils). It provides the right mind-set and identifies us astruly qualified professionals with valid expertise. It wasnone other than our Dr. Jim Engibous who initiated thisinstitution!

• B. Rodney Bertramson, CPAg

Editor’s Note: Dr. Bertramson was former faculty andchair of the Department of Agronomy and Soils at WSUfrom 1949–1979. At age 90, he continues to attend theweekly seminar series, and remains involved in manycivic activities around Pullman.

As an emeritus of theDepartment of Cropand Soil Sciences, Isalute Dr. Bill Panand former ChairDr. Thomas Lumpkin

for their vision andleadership. Surely, Tom

is harnessing agronomyto the problems of crop

production in Asia. PresentChair Bill Pan has a good feel for

our responsibility to our constituents. With more and moreof our funding coming from out-of-state, it is difficult toremember we are a Land grant institution with a toppriority of serving the needs of the people of the state.They expect our utmost attention to serving their needsand want the closest of communication and support.We need to be ever mindful that state support is essentialand we must constantly earn it. Failing to do so results inreduced funding.

The halo over “basic research” is inviting, but we mustnever forget that our research must yield value—knowl-edge—of some benefit to our state. A former director ofthe Washington Agricultural Experiment Station oncetouted “basic research,” whatever that is, as many timesmore valuable than “applied research.” Whatever kindof research Orville Vogel used really paid off with thedevelopment of the semi-dwarfs. Gaines in the first decadereturned more wealth to the state of Washington than allthe funds to the Experiment Station from its inception tothat time. And of course, benefits around the world weremany more times that amount. We can’t have victorieslike that every year, but we can strive for repeats.

2003 Statewide Tour for Graduate Students

On August 17, Dr. Dave Bezdicek, Dr. Kim Kidwell, andformer Graduate Programs Coordinator Lynn Kamalheaded west with seven graduate students from the Dept.of Crop and Soil Sciences to participate in a 2 1/2 daytour of the Puyallup and Prosser areas. The goal of thisexcursion was to expose students to different facets ofagricultural research at our off-campus locations.Drs. Gwen Stahnke and Craig Cogger coordinated thePuyallup tour, which consisted of fabulous tours of asmall local organic farm, sustainable organic researchplots, and turf research plots. The group then headedto Prosser where Drs. Bob Stevens and Joan Davenportcoordinated tours of various research projects involvinggrapes, hops, tree fruits, and potatoes.Dr. Bob Parker served as our tour guide during theProsser trip, which included a visit to the ColumbiaCrest winery. Students were extremely pleased tohave the opportunity to interact with off-stationfaculty, and were all truly amazed at the wide rangeof cutting edge research that is being conducted atour off-station facilities.

• Kim Kidwell, Associate Professor/Scientist

Participant Mary Bodley visits Dr. Gwen Stahnke’sornamental grass display at the WSU turf research

facility in Puyallup.

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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Back to the Future

Where will the future generation of crop and soil scientists come from? Our faculty,staff, and students hope to inspire that next generation of bright young minds inK-12 by letting them know about the opportunities in crop and soil sciences.Over the past year we have put on workshops and tours for K-12 science teachersand students, participated in various recruiting events, and sponsored high schoolscience competitions.

Amanda McKinley, B.S. Crop Science, has been a leader in the CAHNRS AmbassadorsProgram that has conducted numerous high school visits to inform students aboutopportunities for college study.

Laylah Scarnecchia took over the reins of the Crop and Soils Club and organizedthe Annual FFA Agronomy Competition in Moses Lake with over 50 high schoolstudents from various Washington high schools. Tim Riebe, Eric Choker, LeahBaugher, Bruce Frazier, Joe Yenish, Cathy Perillo, Bill Pan, Steve Ullrich, and BradyCarter assisted in the organization and supervision of this event. Laylah alsoorganized a summer Ag Teachers Workshop on soil characterization, and weed,insect, and pathogen identification.

Steve Jones’ research team sponsored a summer workshop for gifted middle schoolstudents from the Spokane-area Libby Center on crop breeding and genetics.Ann Kennedy’s team put on a soil biology workshop for Pullman area gradeschoolers. Rob Gallagher and Stewart Higgins mentored Pullman High Schoolstudents on an organic farming project.

Bill Johnston showed off his turf research plots next to the WSU Student RecreationCenter to a group of visiting high school students during Future Cougar Days whileBill Pan met with prospective students during the information and recruiting fair inBeasley Coliseum.

Our faculty and staff at the off-campus research and extension centers have alwaysbeen active in their communities. Gwen Stahnke was a science judge at the WesternWashington Fair in Puyallup, and Andy Bary, Eric Miltner and Gwen were sciencefair judges for K-12 at the Puyallup Fairgrounds. Bob Stevens is mentoring a coupleof high school students on their soil science projects.

Washington State University was host tothe Washington State Science Teachers’Association 2003 Annual Conferenceon the Pullman campus, and CSS wasa major participant. Kim Kidwelldelivered a keynote address on geneti-cally modified crops. Mary Fauci andDave Bezdicek organized a tour of theWSU compost facility. Steve Jones leada tour of the greenhouse facilities anddiscussed crop breeding techniqueswhile Ann Kennedy offered a workshopon soil biology. Nancy Bean assembledworkshop materials and posted adepartmental display during theconference.

These are just some examples of howour dedicated CSS faculty, staff, andstudents are reaching back to the futurecrop and soil scientists at the K-12 level.

• Bill Pan, Chair

Teaching Assistant Travis Ricard (L) describing thecharacteristics of turfgrass species for vegetative

identification in Crops 301 lab, Turfgrass Culture.

Earning a B.S. in Crop Science (Turf Managementoption) has never been easier (i.e. quicker) for WallaWalla Community College (WWCC) Turf Managementstudents, who decide to come to WSU. WSU and WWCCare currently in the process of signing a Memorandumof Understanding for graduates of the WWCC Associatein Applied Arts and Sciences degree (AAAS) in TurfManagement who matriculate into the WSU B.S. degreein Crop Science, Turf Management Option.

The partnership is intended to eliminate duplicationof coursework and better integrate the two turf manage-ment programs to ensure a more efficient pathway tograduation. Turf students who complete the WWCCAAAS in Turf Management with a 2.0 cumulative gradepoint average will be granted Junior standing at WSU andwill need to take only 60 semester credits while attendingWSU. To assist students and advisors, the agreementspecifies in detail the proposed term-by-term (or semester-by-semester) course of study as offered by WWCC and WSU.When the plan of study is followed, WWCC turf studentswill now be able to graduate from WSU in two years.

• Bill Johnston, Professor/Scientist

WSU Senior Scientific Assistant Steven Lyonassists children from the Spokane Libby Center

(a school for gifted children) withwheat hybridization.

Turfgrass Management Partnership: WSU and Walla Walla Community College

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Teaching the History andEthics of Genetics

Most days you cannot turn on the national news oropen up a newspaper without hearing or readingabout the latest genetic breakthrough. These new

genetic discoveries, while offering great hope, in somecases are also causing society to question what “these

mad scientists” are up to now.

As we teach the next generation of scientists at WSU,it is imperative that we instill not only an appreciationfor history but also the idea that what we do may haveimplications far beyond those that we had anticipatedfor the future.

The history and ethics of genetics (Crops 512/MBios 525)has been taught in the Department of Crop and SoilSciences since 1997. The class had 25 students duringSpring 2003 semester and has drawn graduate studentsfrom the University of Idaho and three different depart-ments on the WSU campus during its six-year history.The students decide which topics to cover and they haveincluded: eugenics (the science of human breeding);science stars of WSU; early plant breeders; theories ofevolution before Darwin; did Mendel fake it? therelationship between science fiction and science; genetherapy; science and religion; and genetically modifiedturf grass.

Some courses that rely on discussion rather than lecturescan result in a situation where a few students do all thetalking. That problem is overcome in this course becausethe majority of the grade is based on preparation andparticipation. Each student is required to enter into the

discussions and with the wide range of topics, it is rare that a student does not havesomething to say.

Over the years that the course has been taught it has evolved from mainly historical topicsto now include ethical and philosophical perspectives. Students want to do what’s rightwhen they leave WSU and by learning of the mistakes and triumphs of the past they willbe better prepared to do so.

• Stephen Jones, Associate Professor/Scientist

What is Really Going On Out on the Farm?

informal discussions of our observations, our understandingof “sustainability,” and understanding how our foodsystem works with respect to production practices andenvironmental stewardship, as well as economic and socialsustainability. Student teams put together oral presenta-tions and subsequently turned in written analyses of theirexperiences, the sites, and the insights they gained.

Students and faculty alike found the experience to beintensive and highly valuable from an educational perspec-tive. In the words of one student, “We met visionaries,realists, idealists, businessmen, healers, and vanishingtribes.” We would like to make this a permanent course,continue to offer it using a similar immersion approach,and invite farmers and other agricultural professionals whomight be interested in taking it for continuing education.

• Cathy Perillo, Instructor

In August 2003, in the window between summer and fallclasses, the Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences piloted a newcourse in conjunction with the University of Idahoentitled “Field Analysis of Sustainable Food Systems.”This was an intensive, week-long immersion course inwhich eight upper-level undergraduate and graduatestudents and two faculty, Dr. Cathy Perillo (WSU), andDr. Cinda Williams (UI), visited a variety of farming,ranching, marketing, and processing facilities in theInland Northwest. Some of these operations were large,others small; some were “organic,” and others “conven-tional”; some fit our pre-conceived notions of practicesand approaches—many did not!

During the days we explored the different operationsand had in-depth discussions with the farmers and sitemanagers. The evenings were spent in formal and

5

Honors and Activities

Frank Young was named Outstanding Weed Scientist by theWestern Society of Weed Science. What’s more, he receivedthe award at the March 2003 regional meeting in Lihue,Kauai!

Kim Kidwell is recipient of the 2003 award for CSSA YoungCrop Scientist of the Year for her stellar research in cropgenetics and breeding that blends classical wheat breedingwith current techniques in biotechnology to improve yieldand end-use quality in spring wheat. Her outstandingteaching at both lower and upper divisions of our CropScience program is also recognized. Additionally, both Kimand Dr. Joan Davenport were selected to be participants inthe 13th annual ESCOP/ACOP-sponsored LeadershipDevelopment Program for emerging leaders in agriculturalexperiment stations.

Bob Stevens is a member of the Nutrient and Pest Manage-ment Training Development Team that developed a trainingmodel that will be adopted nationwide by NRCS. They wereawarded the 2003 Department of Agriculture Honor Awardfor Maintaining and Enhancing the Nation’s NaturalResources and Environment. This is one of just a few USDAHonor Awards that are given each year for notable contribu-tions to the Department’s mission, the Nation, or publicservice.

Gwen Stahnke was named Chair of Division C5, CropScience Society of America, at the 2002 annual meetingin Indianapolis, Indiana. She will serve a one-year term.This is an elected position, voted on by members of C5.

Ryan Higginbotham, Crop Science M.S. student, was a“highlighted” graduate student from CAHNRS at theDecember 2003 graduation, and Amanda McKinley, doublemajor in Crop Science and Ag Econ, was the highlightedCAHNRS undergrad. In words and in true spirit, bothstudents embody the phrase “World Class. Face to Face.”

Congratulations to Gary Shelton, recipient of the 2003WSCIA O.A. Vogel Crop Improvement Association Award.Gary was presented his award at the WSCIA annual meetingin Moscow, Idaho on November 18. The award wasestablished in 1973 in honor of Dr. Orville A. Vogel’sachievements and contributions to agriculture in the PacificNorthwest. Today, through this prestigious award, individu-als who have made significant contributions to the pureseed program and/or crop production in Washingtoncontinue to be acknowledged.

The Department of Crop and Soil Sciences safety committee,chaired by Vic DeMacon, received an award from Environ-mental Health Services at WSU for a most active andeffective safety committee.

USDA-ARS Grain Legume Genetics and Physiology ResearchUnit continues to sponsor their annual Groundhog’s Daylentil/legume cook-off. The cook-off had a record numberof participants in 2003—including the renowned Taste E.Lentil. Recipes and pictures are posted to their web pageat http://pwa.ars.usda.gov/pullman/glgp. Lorna Bell-Burns’Hot Crab-Lentil Casserole received the overall grand prizefor 2003.

Amanda McKinley, senior in Crop Science, was a recipientof the President’s Award for 2003, giving recognition toexcellence in leadership and service—to those whoseleadership and service to the campus and the communitywill leave a lasting impact. Faculty, administrators, andpeers nominate the candidates; a committee reviews eachcandidate on the characteristics of leadership, values, self-awareness, and responsibility; and then selects the recipi-ents. From the over 200 nominations submitted, 80 studentswere selected for this honor. The recipients represented allof the academic colleges, all campuses, and undergraduate,graduate and professional students.

Eighteen graduate students participated in the secondannual Ropes course at Quaker Hill in McCall, Idaho onSeptember 27. Rope courses present physical and mentalchallenges aimed at improveing communication, teamwork,and self-awareness. This group approached each challengewith a commendable amount of enthusiasm. From leapingoff a 30-foot pole to leading the blindfolded, each learnedto trust one another and themselves as they pushed theirphysical and mental limits. Placing 18 graduate studentssimultaneously on a two-foot square platform also instilledthe value of teamwork. Not only did the experience buildstrong relationships among Crop and Soil Science graduatestudents, but it reminded them of the cultural diversity thatmakes this department so unique. Graduate students whoparticipated, and some that didn’t, helped sell black awneddurum wheat at the Moscow Farmer’s Market to raise funds.Additionally, many thanks go to the faculty and thedepartment for providing financial support.

Craig Cogger was presented with the 2003 Kenneth J.Morrison Award at Spillman Field Day on July 10 inrecognition of his work to improve soil and water qualityand to facilitate recycling of organic wastes. The awardhonors the memory of Kenneth J. Morrison, who servedas WSU extension agronomist from 1950 to 1987.

The School of Molecular Biosciences (SMB) at WSU hasawarded Matthew Arterburn, winter wheat breedingdoctoral candidate, with the Stephen Fodor and JanelleBenoit Fellowship for having the highest GPA earnedamong third year SMB graduate students.

Michael Hecht, a physicist with NASA’s Jet PropulsionLaboratory, delivered the inaugural Gaylon CampbellLecture in Environmental Soil and Water Science titled,“The Phoenix Mission to the Mars Polar Regions: GettingDown on Dirty” on November 18, 2003. Hecht is leadinvestigator for the Microscopy, Electrochemistry, andConductivity Analyzer, a soil analysis payload scheduled tofly to Mars on the Phoenix mission in 2007. The CampbellLecture was created to help further understanding ofenvironmental soil science. It is named for Gaylon Campbell,who spent nearly 30 years as a professor of environmentalbiophysics and soil physics in WSU’s Department of Cropand Soil Sciences. He retired from WSU in 1998 to becomevice president of engineering at Decagon Devices, a localmanufacturer of biophysical research instrumentation. Thelecture was created through gifts from Campbell Scientific,Inc., and Decagon Devices, Inc.

6

Comedian/scientist “Bill Nye the Science Guy” and five membersof his production crew paid Stephen Jones and the winter wheat laba visit May 14, 2003 to film the thirteenth episode of Nye’s scienceshow targeted for adult viewers. The focus of the episode will be“GM Food.” They were interested in topics including how tocross wheat and the history of wheat breeding, as well as issuesof concern regarding the private ownership of genes and ideas.The episode aired fall 2003 and included interviews withscientists at the University of California, Berkeley and U.C.Davis. Bill Nye stars as the host of the show designed to get kidsinterested in the science of everyday, and some not-so-everyday,things. On a full range of subjects, including ecology, biology,chemistry, and physics, Nye gives an easy-to-understand, yetinformative, lesson that both kids and grownups can enjoy.His shows have received 17 Emmy awards.

Under the direction of advisors Dr. William Johnston andgraduate student Travis Ricard, the Turf Club has continuedto thrive and be a viable outlet for students interested in theturfgrass world. Membership this year has increased toeighteen. Incoming President John Hicks, Vice PresidentMichael Picha, Secretary Casey Krueger, Treasurer Curt

• • • • • • • • Bill Nye and Steve Jones

Chambers, and Publicity Chairman John Ball are currently active in the planning, development, and implementation of analumni newsletter, coordination of the club spring field trip, planning the annual spring golf tournament fundraiser, andcoordinating guest speakers, as well as involvement in university and Department of Crop and Soil Sciences activities.

Faculty Excellence in Extension: Robert G. Stevens.Stationed at the WSU Prosser Irrigated Agricultural Researchand Extension Center, Bob has conducted field research onfive of Washington’s top ten agricultural commodities. Overthe past 17 years, he has made 567 presentations to variousgroups covering a broad spectrum of topics, includingcontamination of heavy metals in fertilizers, an issue thatreceived widespread attention in the media in the late 1990s.

Classified Staff Excellence Award: Debra J. Marsh. Debrahas been the senior secretary for the Pullman-based Cropand Soil Sciences extension faculty since 2000. Additionally,she provides media support to the department by way ofweb page design, departmental seminars, Tull Tales editor,and alumni newsletter coordinator.

Team Excellence Award: Columbia Plateau PM-10 WindErosion Quality Project. Since 1993, this multi-agency,multi-disciplinary team of faculty and staff from WSU, theUniversity of Idaho, Oregon State University, and the USDAAgricultural Research Service has been conducting researchthat has led to a greater understanding of the physics of soil

erosion in the Columbia Basin Plateau. Their research haslinked high levels of particulate matter of 2.5 microns to 10microns in size to strokes and heart disease.

Outstanding Senior: Carol Powers. A Pullman native, Carolreceived her B.S. in 2003 in Crop Science—Biotechnologyoption, as well as a B.S. in Genetics and Cell Biology.An Honors Program student, Carol conducted molecularbreeding research under the advise of Dr. Kim Kidwell.She is pursuing her M.S. degree at Oregon State Universityworking with Steve Knapp, alternative crop breeder, doingmolecular characterization work with cuphea.

ASA 2002 Outstanding Senior: Aivars Nollendorfs. Aivarsreceived his B.S. in 2003 in Crop Science—Turf Managementoption. Aivars celebrated his graduation with a trip abroadto attend his family reunion in Latvia, where he touredEurope and played at several notable golf courses. He isnow working for Mountain Star Golf Course, a course underconstruction near Cle Elem, WA on the summit off of I-90where he is doing the grow-in work. Expected completiondate for the golf course is summer 2004.

Honors and Activities (continued)

2003 CAHNRS Awards • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

7

2003–2004 Academic Scholarship Awards

Roscoe & Francis Cox Scholarship Fund:Jamie BaleyHarvinder BennypaulAlysia GrecoEric HartvigsonLori HoaglandAmanda McKinleyGrant MortonClaudia OsorioEric PageJesse RadoslovichLatha ReddyJennifer ReeveTravis RicardChad SteinerCanming Xiao

Roy L. Goss Turfgrass Scholarship:John BallJohn HicksDaniel Salois

Washington State Federation of Garden Clubs:Amanda McKinley

Max Hinrichs, Jr, Scholarship:Eric Hartvigson

Max Hinrichs, Sr, Scholarship:John Hicks

Charles Dawson Moodie Memorial Fund:John BallJeffrey BrownJohn HicksChristina MaierAmanda McKinleyRichard SakumaDaniel SaloisBrandon Wilhelm

Reynolds-Biersner Scholarship:Eric HartvigsonLaylah ScarnecchiaDavid SolerTimothy WagonerKyle Watt

O.A. Vogel Washington State CropImprovement Association:

Jamie BaleyGreg Van HollebekeTravis RicardDaniel SaloisNu Nu WaiLaura Wendling

Washington-North Idaho Seed Association:Christina MaierAmanda McKinley

Alumni Feedback

Tamara Thomas, M.S. in Soil Science, 2002, resides inWoodinville, WA where she owns Terre-Source (www.Terre-Source.com), a business that supports the composting/recycling industry with permit application assistance,facility design, process consulting, and test interpretation.They also specialize in environmental oversight of contami-nated site remediation. Tamara enjoys the freedom, thecommute, the time for kayaking, and her cat—but missesthe Palouse—“There’s no where like it on earth!”

Ian Wildey, M.S. in Soil Science, 2002, works forE.I. DuPont Company in their crop protection division, outof their Stine-Haskell Research Center in Newark, Delaware.He really enjoys his job. Ian and his wife recently boughttheir first home in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, just outside ofPhiladelphia. He invites anyone coming to the east coast tostay with them, and hopes to see all at the SSSA conferences.

Pam Frohne, M.S. in Soil Science, 1997, accepted a positionas Soil Scientist with the U.S. Forest Service in Ketchikan,Alaska. Prior to that she worked for Ann Kennedy, USDALand Management unit at Pullman. Pam had lots of funand adventures, and enjoyed learning about forest soils.This past year she transferred within NRCS back to theWillamette Valley in Oregon.

Toby Rodgers, M.S. in Soil Science, 2000, accepteda Soil Scientist position with the USDA-NRCS Soil Survey atMt. Vernon, WA. He is currently mapping soils in San Juanand Island counties and is soon expected to map soils ofeither Mt. Rainier or North Cascades National Park. He isstill very much involved with the Washington Society ofProfessional Soil Scientists, and travels as much as he can.Toby hopes to return to Australia in 2004 to catch up withold friends. He is a proud uncle (nephew and two nieces),so trips home are happily spent with all of his family.

MemoriamsRoger J. Veseth, 51, conservation tillage specialist forWashington State University and University of Idaho, diedSeptember 9, 2003 at Gritman Medical Center. Roger hailedfrom Montana and received a bachelor’s degree and a masterof agronomy in soil science from Montana Sate University.He married in 1982 and worked in North Dakota for a yearbefore coming to the Palouse to work with conservationtillage for the two universities. His passion as well as hisjob was promoting direct-seed farming. Veseth was theprincipal organizer for the annual STEEP conference, whichevolved into the widely popular Direct Seed CroppingSystems Conference. He developed the “PNW ConservationTillage Handbook” that is a reference for issues dealing withconservation tillage. He co-authored the book “WheatHealth Management” in 1991. Veseth was also the principleextension educator on the Columbia Plateau Wind Erosion/Air Quality Project. He received numerous awards, includ-ing the Kenneth J. Morrison Extension Award and the WSUCollege of Agriculture and Home Economic ExtensionFaculty Excellence Award. Over the last six months, Rogercourageously struggled to heal from a broken neck andresulting paralysis. He handled the challenges of his injurywith grace, dignity, and a great deal of faith. Roger enjoyedplaying the mandolin and had played often before thesledding accident. He played by ear and could pick up anytune. He loved the outdoors, especially cross-country skiing,

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running, hiking, and biking with his family. His greatestjoy was his children and the time he spent with them. Heis survived by his wife, Claire; children Rachel, Brian, Julia,and Anne; his mother, Clara of Malta, MT; his sister OlineBarta of Helena, MT; his brother Fred of Malta, MT; andthree nephews and a niece. He was preceded in death byhis father. Memorials are suggested to St. Mary’s CatholicSchool Foundation, 412 N. Monroe, Moscow, ID 83843.

David L. Guettinger, 71, former WSU Extension soilsspecialist, passed away October 2, 2003 in Seattle, due tocomplications from heart surgery. David received his B.S.,M.S., and Ph.D. in soil science from WSU. After working asExtension specialist for a number of years, he later joinedCominco American in Spokane, where he worked for 23years and retired in 1992. Throughout his life, he served hischurch and communities in many leadership roles, andvolunteered with the Service Corp of Retired Executives inSeattle for 10 years. He was an avid fly fisherman, skier, fix-it-man, pancake cook, and gardener. David is survived byhis wife of 50 years, Audrey, and his five children and theirspouses: Linda and Phil Safar, of Wenatchee; Mary Jane andMarc Davis, of Bellingham; Julie and Dan Little, ScottGuettinger and Lisa Emerson, and Teresa and ChrisPiddington, all of Seattle. He is also survived by his sister,Jessie, and her husband Norm Druffel, of Pullman. Davidhad 12 grandchildren. Remembrances can be made to theColton Educational Foundation, PO Box 109, Colton, WA99113 or Morningstar Boys Ranch, PO Box 8087, Spokane,WA 99203-0087.

L. Clint Luce, 78, passed away January 15, 2003 at Pullman.He received his B.S.(’52) and M.S. (’58) degrees fromWashington State University. Clint built his career asWhitman County Extension agent from 1954–1988.After his retirement, he continued to volunteer his servicesto the Washington State Fair Commission, the WashingtonState 4-H Foundation Trustees, and the Spokane JuniorLivestock show. He is survived by his wife of 57 years,Ruth, at their Pullman home; his son, David Luce andwife Mavis Rose of Santa Monica, CA; his daughter DeniseLuce Wirth and husband David Wirth, of Wellesley, MA;three grandchildren, Philip Wirth, Allan Wirth, and ElaineWirth of Wellesley, MA; and one sister, Nova Helvey, ofSpringfield, MO. Memoriams may be sent to the WhitmanCounty 4-H Council, c/o WSU Cooperative Extension,Whitman County, 310 N. Main, Colfax, WA 99111.

Tracy Vincent, 38, died Monday, March 24, 2003 at Albion,WA. She was student in the Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciencesat WSU at the time of her death. Tracy served in the U.S.Army following high school, doing a four-year enlistment inradio communications. She was honorably dischargedfollowing her tour. Tracy attended William Rainey HarperValley Junior College in Illinois, receiving her associatesdegree in natural sciences. She returned to Washington stateand worked in the fish processing industry in the Bering Seafor several years. She continued to pursue her degree inCrop Science at WSU and was applying for graduate school.A major fellowship she aspired for was approved two daysafter her death. Tracy had a green thumb and loved plantsof all types. She was also fond of animals, music, and travel.She is survived by her mother, Nolda Sharp, of Bothell, WA;her father, Gerald Lee Sharp, of Palmer, AK; and her sister,Lynn Sharp of Granite Falls, WA. In memoriam, her friendsand colleagues at WSU gathered to plant a red oak adjacentto the greenhouse where she worked as a student assistantwith USDA-ARS Western Regional Plant Introduction CoolSeason Food Legume germplasm program.

Welcome New Alums

August 2002:Michael T. Fitzpatrick, B.S.

Crop Science (Turf)Tamara N. Thomas, M.S.

Soil Science

December 2002:Jennifer Mae Noelani Bell, M.S.

Soil ScienceRyan D. Bond, B.S.

Crop Science (Turf)Samantha M. Bungart, B.S.

Crop Science (Turf)Ghana Shyam Giri, M.S.

Crop SciencePhilip J. Hancock, B.S.

Crop Science (Turf)James A. Little, B.S.

Crop Science (Turf)Ian C. Johnson, B.S.

Crop Science (Turf)Greg J. Stern, B.S.

Crop Science (Turf)

May 2003:Hesham Mohamed Abdou, Ph.D.

Soil ScienceMark R. Anderson, B.S.

Crop Science (Turf)John M. Casey, B.S.

Crop Science (Turf)Patrick M. Christoffer, M.S.

Crop Science (Turf)Aivars P. Nollendorfs, B.S.

Crop Science (Turf)Carol A. Powers, B.S.

Crop Science (Biotechnology, Cum Laude)Renee A. Rathke, B.S.

Soil Science (Sustainable Agriculture)Greg M. St. Pierre, B.S.

Crop Science (Turf)Catlynn G. Swan, B.S.

Crop Science (Biotechnology)Thomas Ian Wildey, M.S.

Soil Science

August 2003:Christopher M. Kleene, M.S.

Crop Science (Turf)

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2002–2003 Donor Roll

In appreciation of gifts (>$100) to the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences fromJuly 1, 2002 to June 30, 2003

Philip AbelsonAgrium U.S., IncorporatedRobert & Carolyn AllanOtto & Doris AmenAmerican Malting Barley AssociationAndersons, IncorporatedAnne S. Reynolds Charitable Lead TrustAventisBASF CorporationBayer CorportionDavid & Patricia BezdicekE. Donald & Jane BiersnerStanton & JoAnn BrauenKurt & Chris BraunwartBrotherton SeedCampbell Scientific, IncorporatedGaylon & Judith CampbellLucille ChristiansonBarbara CleaveColfax Grange Supply Company, IncorporatedComposting Council of OregonR. James & Beverly CookCooperative Agricultural Producers Inc.Decagon Devices, IncorporatedNorman DonaldsonE.I. Du Pont de Nemours & CompanyTracy & April EriksenFetzer VineyardsFleener, IncorporatedChris & Rosemary FleenerMarkus Flury & Joan WuFMC CorporationFoundation for Agronomic ResearchGlen FranklinRaymond & Julie FreyGenesee Union Warehouse CompanyCurtis GeringGlenn M. Leitz TrustHarry & Edith GoldsworthyRoy & Marcella Goss

Gustafson LLCHarder BrothersWilliam HarderRoss & Kandice HeimbignerDavid Huggins & Catherine PerilloJames D. Moore CompanyEugene KahnW. Keith KennedyJohn & M. A. KillingsworthLand InstituteLehnskov, IncorporatedMichael & Betty LeinweberGlenn LeitzLoveland Industries, IncorporatedJoseph MajkaMALTAGENAlec McErlichMcGregor CompanyAlex & Linda McGregorMac & Karen MillsMonsanto CompanyJames & Ann MooreNu Chem LimitedProGene, LLCTimothy & Megan RiebeW. J. RingwoodRKJK Farms, IncorporatedScotts CompanySt. John Hardware & Implement Company, Inc.Charles & Shirley StaibSyngenta Crop Protection, Inc.United States Golf AssociationValent USA CorporationDietrich & Penny Von WettsteinRon & Barbara WachterTerry Warwick & Rochelle BafusWashington-North Idaho Seed AssociationWheat Growers Association of Whitman CountyGary & Judith Wutzke

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGEPAID

PULLMAN, WAPERMIT NO 1

DEPARTMENT OF CROP & SOIL SCIENCESWASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITYPO BOX 646420PULLMAN, WA 99164-6420