Beard to Receive TPT Founders Award

            Dr. James B. Beard, Professor Emeritus of Turfgrass Science at Texas A&M University, will be presented the Founders Award at the annual conference of the Turfgrass Producers of Texas in Bay City, Texas on January 16, 2007

            Dr. Beard has authored seven books, 265 scientific paper and 382 popular technical articles dealing with turfgrass.  He taught undergraduate and graduate courses at Texas A&M University from 1975 to 1992.  Beard also taught at Michigan State University from 1961 to 1975.  He currently serves as President and Chief Scientist for the International Sports Turf Institute, Inc. 

            During his career, Dr. Beard has filled several leadership roles in the turfgrass industry.  He served as president of the Crop Science Society of America, on the Board of Directors of the Agronomy Society of America and the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology and was the first President of the International Turfgrass Society.

            Numerous honors and awards have been presented to Dr. Beard by universities and organizations.  These include Purdue University, Michigan State University, Ohio State University, USGA, the Agronomy Society of America, the Turfgrass Council of North Carolina, the Golf Course Superintendents Association, the American Sod Producers Association (ASPA) and others.

            Beard was instrumental in organizing ASPA, now knows as Turfgrass Producers International.  He worked closely with Texas sod producers during his tenure at Texas A&M University, conducting several research plots on producers’ farms.

            The Founders Award was initiated to honor those who have made significant contributions to the turfgrass production industry in Texas.  Previous honorees include Dr. Richard Duble, Dr. Wendell Horne, Wallace Menn and the founding directors of TPT.