NEWS Agriculture and Life Sciences A Publication for Alumni and Friends of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University/August 1998 Modem Odyssey An ALS alumna and nine other voyagers will travel around the world by land and by sea. Following them will be a million school kids hooked up to the Internet. You can go too.
n September, on her 25th birthday. events, and helping the team make deci the Jesuit Volunteer Corps) as a commu is going to l»e the one that lias fewer misun Monica Flores ’94 will set out for sions about travel routes or how to handle nity health worker at $75 per month plus derstandings about other people." she Antigua. Guatemala, on the first leg difficult situations. room and board at the Los Angeles Free says. “1 want to lie a part of that." of a two-year, 50,000-mile journey. Clinic, a medical and social services pro Among the other nine Odyssey team Mena Winter No air travel allowed. members is Pierre Allard, a Montreal at gram She stayed there a year, then Flores is off to see the world slowly and torney with 30 years of international work bumped her salary up to $ 100 a month as fromI the ground. Along the way she'll the beekeeper at Slide Ranch, a small under his belt, who is currently coordi take the time to help out others—while nating the establishment of a home for farm in the coastal wilderness outside electronically sharing her every adven abandoned children in Amapala, Hondu San Francisco, where Inner-city kids come Itinerary ture with a million American secondary ras. Also on the trip will be Erika Lomax, to get a taste of country life. Both experi Antigua, Guatemala school students. You. too, can go along program director of Teach for America, ences. she says, solidified her commit All you need is a modem, a computer, the national teacher corps that places ment to volunteering. Cuzco, Peru and an Internet connection. Tl»e Web teachers in under-resourced urban and Flores is currently developing Braille Bamako. Mali address is
Old Buildings Slated for Renovation and New Construction
downside of being one of the oldest agricultural colleges in the United States is that we also have some of the oldest buildings in the country. This is a problem we've been wrestling with for several decades. Not only do we have to contend with the lack of environ mental controls in many of our classrooms and labs, we also face theA responsibility of keeping our buildings up to date in terms of teaching, research, and comm unication technologies. It's no coincidence that thedramatic increase in college costs over the past 15 years has paralleled the continuous iven their propensity for horror which is perfect for a college student, and development of new—and expensive—tools that we can use to better serve our movie behavior, it's little wonder she's a great conversation piece." students and stakeholders that spiders provoke an immediate In addition to understanding spider be Fortunately, the State of New York and SUNY have recognized this fact and Greaction of fear and disgust from students.havior and how they adjust to their envi provided some of the funds needed to refurbish and even replace some of our That's why entomology instructor Linda ronment. students learn the relative risks oldest facilities. Those of you who haven't returned to campus in recent years Rayor does something very unusual; she of poisonous spiders and how silk works. haven't had the chance to visit Roberts and Kennedy Halls. These striking new begins her course on spiders by using “Because spiders are a model organism for buildings frame the western entrance to the Ag Quad and represent the faceof the education to cure her students of other facets of biology, 1 sneak in a fair bit of knowledge, more than the students ex college for the next century. arachnophobia—the fear of spiders. She pect," Rayor says. Our long-term plans include both renovation and new construction. The major shows them a comedy-horror film called Perhaps one of the best agricultural project at the moment is the much-needed addition to Mann Library. Built in 1952 Arachnophobia; she talks about spiders in terms of enthusiasm, curiosity, and excite predators, spiders might be among the from plans drawn up nearly 20 years earlier, Mann was obsolete almost from the ment; and she constantly exposes her stu least understood Currently, only36.000 of moment it first opened its doors. The $40 million addition will double the size of dents to all manner of spiders the potential 170,000 spider species have the library and provide it with the technology, climate controls, and additional "People are so scared of spiders, I just been described in academic journals. space needed to keep it at the forefront of the world's agricultural libraries. don't understand it.” says Rayor, who has Famed arachnologist W. S. Bristowe once Following the Mann project, we hope to begin renovations of Stocking Hall and been teaching her class. Entomology 215, estimated that an average country acre the Plant Science building. The first phase of the Stocking project will replace the "Spider Biology: Life on a Silken Thread," was home to 2.5 million spiders making serious contributions to reducing insect building's central section, which is terribly deteriorated. Plans for the new since 1994. building include laboratories, the dairy pilot plant, and a new dining facility. The "People are not as frightened by insects pests in the field. Many of thestudentsopt for buying their second phase will renovate the west part of the building, the tower, to accommo as they are of spiders," she says "Maybe own tarantulas, but Rayor tells the class. date offices and classroom functions. Plant Science plans include refurbishing it's the spiders' long legs, their furriness, and multipleeyes. And people regard their “If you buy an adult tarantula, you are the greenhouses and upgrading the air supply and electrical systems. getting an animal that is 3 to 11 years old Other projects on the horizon include new research greenhouse units for silk as really gross." But eventually her psychology pays off and deserves to be treated with respect." Guterman Lab; room renovations in Riley-Robb. Bruckner, and Plant Science; and as Rayor watches a class full of They are easy to care for, she says, but an asbestos removal project and greenhouse replacement on the Geneva cam arachnophobes turn into freshly minted need moist, warm areas to live in and to be pus. Even our oldest building. Fernow Hall, is getting some attention with the arachnophiles by semester's end. The two- fed once every one to three weeks. installation of new windows. An important building in which many of you spent credit course, the only Cornell class to Some tarantula species are aggressive some hours is Bailey Hall. Its renovation is currently in the SUNY Construction offer a specific, full course on spiders, has and fast, and even Rayor does not handle Fund five-year plan. become such a success that Rayor re them. “They have half-inch fangs and a How long will all this take? At least 15 years. In the very distant future we may ceives requests from universities across feisty nature." she says. “You don't cuddle even see a new wing added on to Plant Science, which will extend on to the site the United Stales for her syllabus. your fish. I tell students not to cuddle their spiders." of old Roberts Hall. I look forward to keeping you informed of our progress on the Jennifer Chow, a junior from Voorhees. NJ., arrived in the class last August with They also have urticating hairs coated bricks and mortar in future issues of ALS News the usual fear and loathing of spiders. She with chemicals that itch the skin or inflame ended the class owning a Zebra tarantula membranes. (Aphonopelma seemanni) with venomous “I have known people who have gotten fangs and irritating hair. urticating hairs of tarantulas in their eyes "Although I can't take her out of her home, and needed surgery to have the hairs re since she has fangs, I have grown very fond moved." Rayor says. Daryl Lund, the Ronald P. Lynch Dean of Agriculture and Life Sciences of her," says Chow of her eight-legged pet. “She's as low maintenance as a goldfish. Blaine P Friedlander Jr
FACULTY OBITUARIES
David B. Hand, emeritus professor of bio Elizabeth B. Keller, a biochemist who made Millman spent a large part of his career Science and Technology at the New York chemistry and former chairman of the fundamental contributions to the under- studying standardized testing of high State Experiment Station in Geneva, died Department of Food Science and Technol standingof how proteins are made in living school and college students, developing Dec. 28.1997. He was 79. ogy at the New York State Agricultural cells, died Dec. 20.1997. She was 79. evaluation guidelines forteachers, and try Robinson established an international Experiment Station in Geneva, died Jan. 22. A professor emeritus of biochemistry, ing to find accurate ways to measure hu reputation in his career as a food chemist 1998. He was 92. molecular and cell biology. Keller still was man performance in an academic setting. and enologist. He was recognized as an Highlighting his tenure as department actively engaged in research and teaching In 1992 Millman was commissioned by authority on nutrition and food safety. He chairman was the construction of the Food until a week before her death. the New York State Court of Appeals to was a member of several committees of Research Laboratory in 1960. His research Early in her career. Keller worked closely study whether t he New York Bar exam was the National Research Council of the Na focused on the processing and nutritive with Robert Holley in a study of the struc biased. He concluded that although pass tional Academy of Sciences. As a consult value of plant proteins, measurement of ture of transfer RNA, which culminated in ing rates differed across groups, the bar ant to the U S Interdepartmental Commit food quality, and use of food additives. his winning the Nobel Prize. More recently exam was not biased. He also studied the tee on Nutrition for National Development, Hand had an abiding interest in the use her research focused on genes that cause appropriate use of the Scholastic Aptitude he served as food technologist for nutri of food technology to improve nutrition in cancer. Test. tionsurveys in Colombia. Bolivia, and Hon this country and developing nations. He duras. served on several national councils and Jason Millman. professor of education Willard B. Robinson, retired director of advisory boards. and an expert on standardizing testing the Cornell Institute of Food Science and methods, died Feb. 22,1998, at the age of 64. retired chair of the Department of Food Irradiation Puts the Juice Back in Burgers
The Food and Drug Administration has given the nod to irradiating beef. But will consumers buy burgers that have been treated with gamma rays? They should, says food scientist Robert Gravani.
But remember, Gravani says, nobody ’Despite common beliefs, in the food industry sees irradiation as a the consumer drives the food silver bullet that can be used to solve ail system," Gravani explains. of our food safety problems, cover up “People may think that the bad food, or replace proper handling, food industry is trying to storage, and temperature control as food push irradiated foods on moves from farm to table. Only top qual us. but It doesn't work that ity and wholesome foods should be pro way. A company can pro cessed with this technology If food is of duce as much of a prod questionable quality, it should not be uct as it wants, but if nobody buys the prod irradiated. Gravani suggests looking at irradiation uct. it won't be on the By low all irradiated foods must as just one more preservation technol grocery shelves very be labeled with the international ogy alongside heat preservation (such as long." symbol for irradiation: simple pasteurization and canning), freezing, de Irradiation pas green petals (representing the teurizes food by us hydrating. concentrating, fermenting, smoking, or sealing in modified-atmo- food) in a broken circle ing radiant energy, just as milk is pas sphere packaging. (representing the rays from the "Irradiation is just another arrow in the teurized using energy source). This symbol must industry's quiver that should be used as heat. The food is be accompanied by the words, part of an overall program to ensure the passed through a 'treated by irradiation" or "treated safety and wholesomeness of our foods." field of gamma rays released with radiation " by the common medical radioisotope Gravani says. "I believe people should a to irradiated cobalt-60. As the rays pass through the have choice buy products food, much as light passes through a if they want them." Metta Winter window, they kill insects, fungi, and bac n a weekend last January teria that cause disease or food spoilage when more than 41 mil by disrupting their DNA lion Americans turned to Because the energy is not strong enough their newspaper supple to change the nuclei of atoms in the food, ment, they came face to the food itself cannot become radioac Pasteurization Faced a Battle, Too face with a steer whose otherwisetive. A benign variety of techniques are used to countenanceO glowed a menacing hot pink. maintain the taste, texture, or nutritional In 1886 the German chemist Soxhlet recommended improving the health The photo and headline—Should You Eat quality of the foods. related qualities of milk by using the heat treatment developed by Louis Pasteur Irradiated Meat?—were real grabbers. We are routinely exposed to irradiated The copy for this cover story in the USA products in daily life. Surgical gloves, 20 years earlier Io prevent spoilage in wine and laler, in beer Public contro Weekend magazine questions why con sutures, bandages, intravenous fluids, versy raged. Even though it soon came to be recognized that raw milk carried medical and dental instruments, drugs, sumers remain leery of irradiated meat, diseoses including diphtheria, typhoid, tuberculosis, and scarlet fever, it wasn't even though experts say it is safe. cosmetics, and nonstick cookware coat until the 1920s that pasteurized milk become common throughout the United When professor of food science Robert ings are all made safe by irradiation. The B. Gravani MS '69. PhD ’75 asks his stu risk of foodborne illnesses in space is States and Canada dents what picture comes to mind when wiped out by irradiating the foods that What eventually turned the tide was a rising concern for the public's health. he uses the words "irradiated food,” they the astronauts eat during flight. Today acceptance of irrodiation is being hastened by widespread outbreaks of invariably say nuclear power plants such The main advantage to irradiating as Three Mile Island or Chernobyl . There’s ground beef is that the deadly bacterium foodborne illness, such as that of the dozen people who became seriously ill the rub that for nearly 40 years has put E coll 0157.H7 can be destroyed and last summer from ground beef contaminated by the virulent bocterium E coli consumers can enjoy their hamburgers the brakes on adopting a safe, well-re- 0157:H7. The incident prompted the nation's largest meat recall—25 million cooked pink and juicy. The only other way to kill this bacterium is by cooking pounds of beef patties had to be pulled from the food supply. the meat to 160 degrees F. until it is well The main advantage to irradiating done. Compare these early false objections to pasteurization with those beef is that there is no heat in It's this assurance of safety that makes currently leveled against irraaiation:
volved. So hamburger lovers can irradiation advantageous when used with • Pasteurization may be used Io mask lowquality milk. eat their burgers rare and juicy with other foods as well. Low doses can kill at least 99.9 percent of Salmonella bacteria • Pasteurization gives rise to a false sense of security no fear of the deadly in poultry. In grains and spices (usually E. coll 0157:H7. imported from other countries) irradia • Pasteurization destroys beneficent enzymes, antibodies, and hormones and tion can destroy pathogenic bacteria and lakes the 'life' out of milk. parasites along with insects and insect • Pasteurization significantly lowers the nutritive value of milk searched food preservation technology larvae that otherwise would have to be killed by fumigation. t hat can help ensure the safety and whole • Pasteurization is not necessary in a country where milk goes directly and someness of our food. Consumers in 28 Irradiated foods have been commer promptly from producer Io consumer. other countries around the world eat cially available since the late 1950s, and irradiated foods with no ill effect. research on the safety of food irradiation • Pasteurization is unnecessary, because raw milk does not give rise to has been conducted for nearly 50 years. Now that the Food and Drug Adminis tuberculosis. tration has given the OK to irradiating Scientists who have studied food irradia beef, it can join the U.S. approved com tion strongly support this food preserva • Pasteurization impairs the flavor of milk. modities list along with wheat flour (avail tion technology Many prestigious inter able since 1963). pork, poultry, spices, national and national organizations and • Pasteurization fails to destroy bacterial toxins in milk fruits, and vegetables. But irradiated agencies endorse food irradiation. For foods will be on the grocery shelves only example, the World Health Organization (Adapted from food trrodtahon o Gmdefaool by Monon Solin. Technomc Publishing Co . Inc . if consumers want them. And that will urges people to choose irradiated foods lanawer Po , ond Basel, Switzerland. 1993, pp 98 and 99) happen only when we are convinced that whenever they can. The American Medi they are safe and that the technology is to cal Association and the American Dietetic our advantage. Association vouch for them. too. Grad Students Work Behind the Scenes
raduate students sometimes seem like the invisible throngs in the College of Who Gains, Who Loses with Dairy Trade Rules? Phil Bishop in agricultural, resource, and managerial economics is looking at interna Agriculture and Life Sciences. Who are the grad students? How are their stud tional trade in dairy products. In many countries, dairy products make up a large ies funded? And what is their contribution to the college and the university? proportion of food expenditures. As governments move toward less subsidization of The following statistics give a snapshot of ALS grad students for the 1997-1998 agriculture and as trade negotiations move toward free access to foreign markets, the academic year. G United States, as the largest dairy producer and the largest dairy consumer, must Demographics carefully consider the consequences of changes to existing trading rules. For example,
• 42 percent are foreign students who stands to gain and who stands to lose?
• 90 countries are represented
• ages range from 22 to 58
• 475 are female. 517 are male Spinach Goes Hydroponic “The spinach is amazing. It has no damaged leaves or dirt and tastes great." says Leslie Degree programs Katzman in floriculture and ornamental horticulture. She is working in controlled
• 706 Ph D. candidates environmental agriculture, growing plants hydroponically for a wide range of markets.
• 274 master's candidates Currently she is germinating spinach for a hydroponic system. Katzman has several reasons for doing this research. • 12 nondegree students Hydroponic crops support local production because they can be grown anywhere at any Financial support time of the year. They have less environmental • 208 teaching assistants, who assist faculty in leaching courses impact than traditional crops do because her
• 19 graduate assistants, who help their departments in a variety of capacities system uses no pesticides and recirculates nutri ents and water. And they have better quality, she • 50 research assistants, who primarily work on faculty members' research protects points out. • 248 groduate research assistants, who work on a funded research project
contributing to their dissertation
• 82 receive Cornell fellowships
• 181 received government and other types of fellowships from outside the university
• 132 ore self-funded
• 72 have unknown funding sources
Here is a sample of the innovative research projects being worked on by ALS graduate students.
What Price for Electricity?
There is a national trend to deregulate the electric power industry and convert it from a regulated, government-owned system to a competitive industry. The way the market is set up could have a tremendous effect on the price of electricity. In spite of the enthusiasm shown for deregulation, research suggests that consumers may not benefit, because current Leslie Katzman holds one of the spinach plants she has industry-proposed markets may not produce the hoped-for germinated to grow in a hydroponic system decreases in electric power prices. John Bernard and Bob Ethier in agricultural, resource, and managerial economics are studying alternative types of market mechanisms for determining the price of electric power under a Plants Remove Lead from Soil Phytoremediation is a new and promising field that combines chemistry and horticul competitive market. tural science in an effort to Improve the earth. Plants can be used as low-maintenance, low-cost tools to extract pollutants, provide surface stabilization, and improve the aesthetic value of contaminated soils. Better Fresh Dough Is Coming Ruby S. Beil in floriculture and ornamental horticulture is examining phytoextraction Fresh dough products cannot be made from whole grain wheat because of the of lead-contaminated soil. Lead is sparingly soluble and therefore difficult to remove discoloration that occurs within hours. The discoloration is caused by the same from soil, and its toxicity to vertebrates, especially human children, is well known and enzyme that causes bananas, apples, or potatoes to brown after they are cut open. especially problematic because of lead's intimate association with human habitation. Molly Cadle in plant breeding has a strategy for genetically engineering wheat to The primary objective of Beil's study is to induce lead uptake into the shoots of low-input produce pizza and bread dough that can be stored longer and has higher quality perennial plants (tall fescue and red maple) by adding synthetic chelation agents to without chemical additives. Her work is novel because it utilizes wild germplasm, contaminated soil. molecular genetics, and transformation and solves a problem that people can identify with. Ants and Plants Are Symbiotic Fabian A Michelangeli, working through the Bailey Hortorium, is researching the Gorillas Use Food as Medicine evolution of the symbiosis between ants andplants, called myrmecophytism. The plant provides the ants with some nesting structure, as well as food, and the ants protect the Recent evidence suggests that animals eat certain plants to plant against herbivores such as other ants, grasshoppers, and caterpillars. control infection, regulate physiology, and otherwise maintain Myrmecophytism is believed to play an important role in maintaining biodiversity health. among plants and ants in the tropics. John P. Berry in plant biology (through the L H. Bailey Michelangeli is focusing on Tococa. a genus enderate to the tropics that comprises Hortorium) is investigating the phytochemistry of food plants in more than 30 species of shrubs, half of which are myrmecophytic. The fact that in a the diet of gorillas, particularly the highly endangered “mountain group of closely related species some present the symbiotic association and others gorilla,' which numbers only about 600 in the world. don't, allows Michelangeli to study the evolution of myrmecophytism within a group Approximately 30 percent of the food plants in the herba with similar ecological and genetic constraints. ceous diet of mountain gorillas were found to contain antibacterial constituents, most of which remain uncharacterized. The continued identification of antibi otics and other compounds used by animals will likely help us explore the wealth of natural products in the plant kingdom. Faculty Profile: Gerald F. Combs Jr. M.S. '71, Ph.D. '74 He Mobilizes People to Avert Malnutrition Rather than thinking of nutritional defiencies as medical problems, Jerry Combs sees malnutrition as a failure of the food system.
he two little girls were both group. It’s an interdisciplinary team within the college that includes plant five years old: Jerry Combs's nutritionists, plant physiologists, agrono lively and determined daugh mists. horticulturists, soil chemists, and ter Kiersten and the other other nutritionists. Together they are one, a wan figure lying back spearheading an international effort to wearily in her mother’s arms. Combs had find permanent food-based solutions to just been shown the x-ray of the second T the diseases of malnutrition. It was Combs girl'schest. Her heart, enlarged five times who came up with the idea of an interna its normal size, pressed right up against tional workshop to promote the approach her rib cage. He knew she wouldn't live long. more broadly. Three years ago he chaired “Food-Based Combs’s Chinese hosts turned to him Approaches to Preventing Micronutrient and said. "Professor Combs, selenium Malnutrition: Setting an International expert, what shall we do?” Research Agenda” held in Salt Lake City. "I could barely keep from crying,” re One hundred opinion leaders from 31 calls Combs, a professor of nutrition with joint appointments in the Division of Nu countries attended. tritional Sciences and the Department ol At 51. Combs says he sees his diverse Animal Science, who had been invited to skills in nutritional biochemistry, ento China in 1980 to investigate reports of mology. animal production, grant writ Keshan disease, a cardiomyopathy in ing, public speaking, and organizational children eating a severely selenium-defi management coming together to further cient diet. this new way of thinking about food pro-1 "I had never felt so impotent in all my duction and health. life. The bench science I had done up to “Your days are the coinage of your life. ~ / Combs says. "So 1 want to spend mine I that point seemed so esoteric and irrel doing something that's worthwhile." I evant. 1 decided that just publishing wasn't enough, that whatever I did from Metta Winter I that point on would need to have rel evance for children like that," he says. On a recent afternoon, Combs's desk in People Taking Savage Hall is strewn with Polaroids of more children. They were taken just Selenium for Photo by Frank Omao weeks before in rural Bangladesh, not far IO years Had from the Burmese border. The long bones Essential Combs: Selenium was the last of the 40 nutrients currently recognized as Fewer Cancers of their lower legs are bent; some have essential for human nutrition. Combs is on expert on selenium and malnutrition
bowed legs, others knock knees. Combs or 15 years, Jerry Combs has been points out that in that society, young venting the diseases of malnutrition. studying the relationship between girls who cannot walk can expect to have vitamin folic acid on the dining room wall F Rather than thinking of these diseases as selenium and cancer In a 1996 report few opportunities and little social in paint, assuring his teenage son not to m the Journal of the American Medical medical problems, they should be seen standing. worry, that the wallpaper they were put Assocation, he and his co-authors from "Rickets," he says, “destines them to ting up later that day would cover it. But. as failures of food systems. Cornell and the University of Arizona become beggars in a country with 40 when wet, the wallpaper didn't cover the “It's no longer good enough to measure were the first scientists to show that a percent unemployment.” paint. Combs says, “We were sweating agricultural production in terms of yield single nutrient can change a cancer A year ago in June, Combs first laid bullets for fear my mother would find the peracre," Combs says. “That way of think ing has left us in a world where 40 percent risk. eyes on these children, who suffer from a paint had bled through!" of the women are anemic and 35 percent ' Although more than 100 animal disease that nutritionists do not expect When Combs Jr. was 16. his dad. as of children under age five are stunted. studies and dozens of epidemiological in tropical countries. Yet more than 15,000 deputy director of nutrition of USAID, led Every day 100 children in Bangladesh Bangladeshi children suffer from It. In the only authoritative nutrition survey of studies have linked high selenium status alone go blind due to a vitamin A defi less than a year he mobilized an interna Bangladesh. And he brought home his to low cancer risk, this is the first double ciency. Instead of thinking of food as a tional consortium of agricultural and own slides of Bangladeshi children. blind, placebocontrolled cancer pre medical experts who, with full participa venlion study with humans that directly tion from the local people, are gearing up supports the thesis that a nutritional to address the children's plight. And he 7f's no longer good enough to measure agricultural produc supplement of selenium, as a single found public and private moneys to the tion in terms of yield per acre. That way of thinking has left agent, can reduce the risk of cancer,' tune of $350,000 per year for each of the Combs soys next three years to support this effort. us in a world where 40 percent of the women are anemic In 1983, the researchers recruited How did he pull off such a comprehen and 35 percent of children under age five are stunted " 1,312 randomized patients with histo sive response to a problem that a local —Combs ries of skin cancer al seven dermatol nongovernmental organization has spent ogy clinics located in low-selenium ar the last seven years trying to stir up eas of the United States. The patients
interest in? Combs has become auda were given either a placebo or a 200- Under ordinary circumstances, people generic commodity, we need to see it as cious, he says, since that afternoon al microgram daily supplement of sele who consume adequate amounts of cal a vehicle for providing nutrients." most 20 years ago when the contrast nium The idea was to see whether between two five-year-old girls "changed cium and phosphorus and are exposed A food systems approach offers the selenium would reduce the average the trajectory” of his life. And he has to enough sun to manufacture their own ultimate virtue—sustainability . Cropping become a famous scientist too; his book Vitamin D won't get rickets. Combs hy systems can be designed to optimize reoccurrence rate Ten years later the results were not The Role of Selenium in Nutrition, which pothesizes that two factors are involved nutrient output while decreasing the significant for skin cancer, but were references 2,000 scientific papers, is the with the Bangladeshi children—a predis needs for fertilizers and other inputs. In 'compelling' for overall cancer inci bible in the field. So with his own weight, posing one that is likely to be a low cal this era of biotechnology, it is possible, dence and mortality rates, Combs says and Cornell s name behind him. he can cium intake and an exacerbating factor, using genetic techniques, to enhance While he and his colleagues are get the job done. possibly heavy metals, that interfere with micronutrients such as vitamin A or beta Looking back at his childhood, you the body's use of calcium. One immedi carotene in the staple grains—rice, wheat, following up on this breakthrough, might say that the writing was on the ate solution is to increase the amount of and maize. (While these grains make up Combs emphasizes the importance ol wall Ask Combs a question, and he'll tell calcium in the children's diets. So you about 90 percent of the diet in developing consuming low-fat diets that are at least you a story One of his favorites is about give them calcium pills, right? countries, they currently provide little adequate in selenium and are bal wallpapering with his dad. Gerald F. Wrong, Combs says That solution is more than calories and some protein.) anced with respect to other essential Combs Sr Ph D ’48. an internationally inherently unsustainable; it will work in Other critical micronutrients could be nutrients The most important dietary renowned poultry nutritionist inclined poor countries only so long as rich ones added to foods, such as by fortifying sources of selenium are meots, fish, and to talk shop. will pay the bill. What Combs proposes table salt with iodine. cereals Susan Lang As the story goes. Combs Sr. had instead is to start thinking smarter by Combs is a central figure in the Food scrawled the chemical structure of the taking a broad systems approach to pre Systems for Improved Health working ALUMNI NOTES
John I Conner Jr. 72 operate a thoroughbred and Planning and t^mlscape Design She has been chairman <4 fossil specimens He still maintain* interest and Imsiness stanrlardlired hone breeding farm His granddaughter. the local historic district commission lor 10 years, and is activity in the kxxl science arena, as well as being ar tivr In Kristie Conner Is a freshman In the class of 2001 active at her own town's Historic House nature crxiserv-atxxi and rxitdorx arxl sport activHx-s. Including Ice hockey George B FlUott '44 of Cortland, N Y ,1s retired, and his five Robert B. Snook D 58 of Bayville. NY, is the president of children are all married and in their 40s RBS Delivery Service Brian F, Mltchr-ll '86 <4 Baldwinsville N Y has wrxked in tlie fiekl r4 <« cujiatkxial safety aixl health fcx the last 11 Robert D. Farrell 48, DMV '51 of Mount Upton. NY. is Thoma* G Faroetl » ol Littlefalls. N.Y. is a dairy farmer years He's happily married to Patty who lias a career as a practicing veterinary medicine. He won the NYS Practitxv thinking about retiring nursejxartitKXx-r Togethertheyhavetwochildren.Tixld nerol the Year In 1995 ami Dana Their freetimr is spent enjoylngoutdrxxactivl- J .***?" 39 '«101 Gainsville N.Y, I* a retired '■""•“■i 01 °* LIS. Army He\ an adjunct professor at the Lawrence lewis '49 of Troupsbury. N.Y. lias retired from ties the US Postal Service as a rural mail carner Ik* has owned University <4 Florida fcx entonx4ogy and nematology David II Pugh *6 of Cobleskill, N Y and hl* wile, Jody, two dairy lanns and lx- sold farm and dairy equipment lor have two children, Jennifer ami Gregory He is the vice- I Karie. N. Hunt 39 ol <>ainesville.was in the franking and 15 years His lather passed awayixi July 6.I997.atage95 president and branch manager of the First lYomvr Farm management Investment fiekllorJSyeiu* Helsnowretired from being the senior vxepreskfc-nt <4 the Liberty National Credit. ACA. aixl continues Io see aixl meet (omell alumni Bank and Trust Company both jx-rvixially aixl jirrjessionally Robert W .Wllmm-39 UNingertands N Y has been retired Phil Wile* 86 of Owego. NY . became a partner at his from the landsc ajxarctuteclure-field fcx 22years Hiswilr- insurance agerxy The Partners Hi* wile Tracy (Keller) Gladys dx-d March 31. 1997. and he later moved from WUe* *88. is the associate director kx the ALS Planned Giving Program Their son Graham, is three year* rXd Firstb. Fla., to his boms- uith.- Beverwyck Retirement living John J. Sullivan '62 of Canandaigua. N Y . works lor Mor Complex In Slingertamls gan Samuels Inc 'Innwad Genetxs Hr cleaLs with interna tional vales and production kx the most din- genet*s of Paula Zehr *86 r41-owvilJe N Y. has taken Ix-r bobby of Ifc4slein cattle In tile work! He is married to Juke Nelson pumpkin growing to a new extreme For Hie past 12 1940s and has six children, live daughters, and one son years six- lias been growing giant pumpkins, which Sandra Kebbe IkuiM-n '63 ol Dexter Mich, spent many brought her the 1996 World Title with a pumpkin years with a large multKlisc Ipllruuy planning ami design wnglung 1061 Its It was nanx-d Tkr Great Can Dor** firm and then i-nlt-red a jiartnershlp with anoflux land Paula arxl Ix-r liusliaml Nathan, r an be seen in the J J* Holbein *5O<4 Biloxi Miss . is a retired general manager scape architect Iromthe same firm. Their enterprise Is now Guizx-iiBao*r/ll.>rWK«rxd»(see|»cturehere) Alcxig of the Michigan Blueberry Growers Association Ik- spent 5-1/2 years old with this excitement, their first child Julian Widrick lOyearsasaconsuttanttothetradeassociatlon Ills major Zehr was Ixxn on Jan 18.1998 David F, Cochrane 66 of Acton. Mass . has been a profes activity now H being |iart of the lives ol 10 grandchildren sor ol biology at Tufts University since 1976 Ik- teac hes and catching crabs from their dock on the Tcboutaca conducts research ami
isitingChinain 1985asaguest rent stacks have no fire protection sys sor of nutrition. Pelletier's research es tablished that even mild forms of malnu Combining an endowment campaign for of the Chinese government, tem and cannot accommodate the instal Mann Library with the state-financed Kraig Adler, professor of lation of one. The addition and renova trition will kill children before starvation renovation and addition to the building neurobiology and behavior, tion will provide the quality and variety does. As a result of this research, health allows (or the naming of spaces within attended a dinner in Fuzhou. of space traditionally found in excellent organizations today view curing malnu the library in recognition of gifts. Below There he met a man in his 80s academicwho had research libraries trition in the same light as vaccinations is a list of naming opportunities associ Vstudied genetics at Cornell in the early Space for technology is also part of the for polio and small pox. Like Adler and ated with the Mann IJbrary Campaign. plans. Mann is a leader in the field of other faculty members. Pelletier finds it 1930s. Because ot this Western influence, Gifts will support endowment for acqui electronic libraries, despite the handi remarkable that his research required no the man had spent the years of the Cul sition. preservation, and innovations tural Revolution toiling in rice fields, and caps inherent in a physical plant built In additional data collection beyond access 1952 from plans originally drawn in the to the resources of Mann Library. Adler may well have been the first West Mann Library Campaign erner to have contact with him since the 1930s When it created the award-win "All of us in the colleges of Agriculture revolution. As he sat down next to Adler ning Mann Gateway in 1991. Mann Li and Life Sciences and Human Ecology Sample Naming Opportunities at the banquet table, the gentleman leaned brary opened itself to the world via the realize that Mann Library is one of the Based on Gift Levels great specialty libraries in the world," over and whispered two pressing ques internet and became one of the first uni Gift: Space to Be Named. tions. "Is Johnny's Big Red Grill still versity "libraries without walls" in the says Dean Lund, "Hard work and wise there?" and "How is that great library?" country. New space designed for tech investment will keep it that way." $2,000,000 New Mom Ererance lobb/ nologywill eliminate wires snaking across Ensuring this level of quality is expen The second question referred to the $1,500,000 Stone Technology Educobon floors and around doorways, and open sive: Mann Library's ability to acquire Albert R. Mann Library in the colleges of Cento Agriculture and Life Sciences and Human up new possibilities for Mann’s leader books, journals, and other publications is being constrained soaring prices. $1000.000 Rare & Antique Cotedion Vau* Ecology. ship in library technology by This price squeeze is compounded by Hearing the praises of Mann Library While New York State supports im $500,000 Preset*** foal/ty spoken around the world is not so unusual. provements to the library building, pre the rapidly multiplying number of sci $250,000 Endowment m Support ol At Mann. Cornell students and faculty serving the knowledge held within its ence journals that spring up as new tech Inrootwe Technology ’Front and people worldwide have access to t he nologies create new academic issues. In Doot' to lhe Electronic library sum total of human achievement in agri addition to inflationary pressures and a culture, biological sciences, environmen rapidly growing knowledge base, some of $ 125.000 Technology Cento lobby Space for technology is also part of the priceless information stored in Mann tal science, human ecology, natural re $ 115,000 library Seminar Room sources, and nutritional science. Mann's the new plans. Mann is a leader in Library is crumbling to dust. The acidic agricultural collections are second in size the field of electronic libraries. paper used in books printed between $75,000 Execitoe Board Room 1850 and 1950 becomes brittle over time. only to the national agriculture library in despite the handicaps inherent in a $50 000 TechnOog,' Cento Semina' Roam Today, 25 percent of the Mann collection Bethesda. Maryland. Adler, who is also physical plant built in 1952 from /current pans cal for mo a three) former chair of the Mann Library Advi is rapidly deteriorating. Acquisition, pres $25,000 Named Distinguished Cotecbon sory Committee, cites the 1993 book he plans originally drawn in the 1930s. ervation, and the use of technology are kx dona interest m any subtea co-authored with Eri-mi Zhao, Herpetol costly, but they are a small price to pay for ensuring that future generations have /bompies olalready named ogy of China. "The book has 2000 refer coledons are laces Bees the vast store of accumulated knowledge ences,” he says. “I checked my records walls is a top priority of Cornell. In April languoge ol Rcwen) and I only had to go off campus for eight, 1998, the university and the colleges of that we enjoy today. so 1,992 came from right here at Cornell, Agriculture and Life Sciences and Human For more information on the endow $20,000 Reodng Room /current pbns col ment Campaign for Mann Library contact hr nine] mostly from Mann." Ecology announced a two-year initiative Kevin Mahaney. Assistant Dean for Pub New York State has realized the impor to raise $4 million in endowment funds $10,000 Named Essential Bock lic Affairs. 260 Roberts Hall, Cornell Uni tant mission of Mann Library and has for the library. Income from the endow Acquisition Endowment Fund (Ths versity. Ithaca. NY 14853, (607) 255-7635, committed nearly $40 million dollars to mentwill support three fundamental func support ocqmsiion in the ward its expansion and renovation One tions at Mann: preservation, acquisition, [email protected]. donor s dace ol one ol fa." areas ogrcjiure, nutihon of the tallest cranes in the United States and innovation. Preservation will rescue Kevin Mahaney and Joseph Schwartz human ecohffy, bahgyl currently rises 390 feet behind the li unique and rare books that are deterio brary. working on a 75,000-square-foot rating daily. Acquisition will ensure that $ 10 000 Named Essenbd Book Preseno addition that will nearly double the size Mann Library's collection remains cur son Endowment Find (This will ol the building When the addition is com rent and comprehensive. Finally, an en support presenratton m the donor s pleted in 1999. work will begin on reno dowment for innovation will enable Mann dxxe ci one ol low areas ogn vating the current building. The result to continue its leadership in library com cuhxe rxtrihon humon ecology, bwtogy will be a modern library with the space, puter technology and as an electronic technology, and climate control needed provider of resources around the globe. $10,000 Ftxub/er Student Carrel leutrent to continue Mann's role as a world-class At the time of the campaign's announce pbns col for 27 to 74| ment, more than $1.5 million had been library. $5.000 Named Endowment far General "Mann's precious print collections have raised toward the $4 million goal Acqwstton /Donor s support w! deteriorated at an alarming rate over the Strengthening Mann through the cur ofcw librarians to each be past decades because of t he lack of proper rent campaign is the highest develop rxtedans as needed, boot ph> humidity and temperaturecontrols," says ment priority of the College of Agricul mg vdt tana he donor) Janet McCue, acting director of Mann ture and Life Sciences, according to Dean hny Amount Jan Oben Endowment (The wi Library Anyone who has studied in the Daryl B Lund. The campaign's success support acawlcns m hata d stacks of Mann on a muggy summer day will help Cornell scholars and others con Jon Ober, tamer director d or with the steam heat at full tilt in winter tinue developing life-saving ideas like Mann Ubraryf can attest to that fact. Further, the cur those of David Pelletier, associate profes Alumni Association
Note: Member from New HAWAII Yock State wete listed /ieterr m the Moy issue GwtfaH Ran H Uate?Hutea7S IMftl 77 (ymhMM fete 71
ItarvChy K Btvwnt »
MwtoS ZaaMwrtch*
T9 LfoydAfttea 44 WryC Wart 17
SLT 13
(MJ. K .taNUi fc'
t- v ;• ■
AmJOMbwtr C II fatefiw R>o* 41 Hua uiurto (xaaMiri *< M H Im 93
(hartal, tawft' V
—------| New ALS Alumni Association Senior Service Award President This year's winner ol the Senior Service Nathan Herendeen 64 ol Gasport Award is Craig Gfeller '98. of livonio. N Y . wos elected president ol the ALS N Y This award goes Io a semoi who Alumni Association at the annuai has demonstrated outstanding voluntary meeting on June 6 He repioces service activities oeyond undergraduate Michael Barrett 71 ol lake Fores' III academic reauiremenfs Gfeller not only Herendeen has serveo as vice pres, served as the ALS Alumni Association s dent for two years ana represented student director but wos also cochair district #20 (Erie and Niagora court- of the AIS Ambassadors and has ties) since 1990 os well os be,ng served on the ALS Academic Integrity chon of the Nominating Committee Board on me ALS Policy Committee as ond Planning Committee He is a Gass of 98 vice president for memoer- regional extension specialist team ship Here Gfeller receives o ploque leader with the Northwestern N Y from Dean Daryl B Lund and H Dean Doiry/Fiefd Crops Progtom for Sutphin, associate dean ond director of Cornell Cooperative Extension academe programs, along with $ 100 from the ALS Alumni Association ’M4G Hmm W SOUTH CAROLINA •rotter Vwoani Healy IT ...... W Mary B Merom* « CmMm Barter M Ibr-a/d 52
GwyR (4br«1 71
WYOMING
lb hard ( Zakofl H
HamyJ RoWmMd M BwaWrr h«rtGC
J L Mfrtort W AUSTRIA
VIRMONT SOUTH DAKOTA
RRAZIL
TINNISSII CANADA Amy J «■ JteMrtFiLrm -I Aualin 1. b<>»aur. Tram 5 (ornrtl S’
artel lar.tr ' .-J. . ' '
II reaa* w.
COLOMBIA , taMJ - RlDffl •
Wfnam
OCNM ARf*
WIST VIRGINIA
2* 91 >«WW« KJ
ManeteR U ■m&Baant* w GUATEMALA
HONDURAS
New Student Director Alumni Gather for Tower Club Reception Jared Halpin 00 ol Odessa. NY. was Joseph A Manelsb '56 hosted a I | . m-v elected student director on lhe ALS Cornell Tower Club Reception on Alumni Association's board of directors May 5. 1998, at his home in McLean ol the association s annual meeting on Vo Pictured here (k) are Mrs Rose - j-’ /F ' V r June 6 He replaces Crag GfeUer '98 Rhodes. Sol M bnowitz, Law‘38 Halpin is active with the Delta Kappa President Emeritus Frank H T Rhodes IP 1 4 Epsilon fraternity, serving os his pledge Mrs Evelyn Linowitz ALS '39 xlij’A ' M 1 Rh class piesident and now as house vice Peter B Stife: A&5 58. ana ■ president He also was an orientation counselor lor the college Halpin is maioring m applied economics and business management and has been active with the Student leadership Committee > '98-'99 ALS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION New Alumni LEADERSHIP A Student Makes A Difference
KII « ihwb: Kotanno (middle) ond her mother, Monel (second from right), itatadK 71 shore a cup of tea and IOJK FWidUrnr-SAeZM laArhmf B conversation with a M7AIU72S1O family in Ralegan Siddni At the end of Katarina's internship, Monel got Io visit India and Ralegan Siddhi
ornell University is made up of many unique, a forum for them to make changes in their commu ambitious students, oneof which is Katariina nity. Tuovinen '98. She is a natural resources Katariina plans to return to Ralegan Siddhi this fall student from Arlington, Ohio. to further help the people. Site wants to work with the As a child. Katariina developed a keen interest in women as well as the men regarding gender issues to international affairs because of her family heritage bring their ideas together Katariina says, “Improving CHer mother is from tlie war-tom country of Sri the lives of the women will ultimately improve the Lanka, and her father hails from tlie beautiful coun family life as a whoje." try of Finland. Growing up. Katariina was intro Katariina would not have been able to accomplish duced to two very different cultures, both of which what she did without die support of her family. They shaped her perspective on life. Both her parents were behind her throughout her academic career also instilled in her the need for ccHiimunity Involve and when she traveled to India. In addition, they are ment. as well as the desire to help others. responsible for Katariina's diverse cultural values. In high school. Katariina was active in the Key There Is another person that has tx-en influential in Club, the International Science Fair, and the Ohio Katariina's life, too. That person is her advisor and Wildlife Center; played field hockey and lacrosse; chairman of the Department of Natural Resources. and graduated as valedictorian of her class Jim Lassoie. “He has always gone out of his way to Influenced by her mother to attend Cornell, help and has given me gotxl suggestk his for direction Katariina set foot on campus, looking for ways to get in the future," she says. involved. The Cornell Greens and United Katariina is making a difference. In a mere six Progressives were the two groups she chose to months. Katariina changed the lives of the people of participate in. This all could soui id pretty ordinary Ralegan Siddhi forever. She is just one of the many for a Cornell student, right? The thing that sets interesting students at Cornell. loan Katariina apart from most other Cornell students is nu
SUIeCowOnMiv formed a women's group in the village as a forum to Brturt BaldM> 71 discuss ideas with one another. She organized work WrallMl MA OICBS shops based on suggestions from the women. Hornet Pimm 99 (<1AMMMI)H amieiZBjo Katariina has made a difference in the lives of many Student Direclot, AIS Alumni Association
1 T«a> of the women of Ralegan Siddhi. She has given them achancetodeveloptheir ideas, and she has created Reunion Breakfast Photos by Robert Barker, University Photography
Retiring Faculty Honored: Reining faculty recognized at the ALS Alumni Association's Reunion Breakfast and Annual Meeting on June 6 ore ileft to right m above photos) David K Bandler '55, MPS '71, Department ol Food Science, R Kenneth Horst, Plant Pathology, and Robert] Lambert Jr , Floriculture and Ornamental Horticulture In each photo, Dean Daryl Lund (left) and Michael R Barrett '71,1997-98 ALS Alumm Association president, present the retirees with plaques Also honored but not present were Martin Alexander. Soil, Crop, and Atmospheric Sciences, Emil J Haller, Education, and Darrell R VanCampen, Animal Science and Nutritional Sciences
(Left) During Reunion Breakfost, incoming 1998-99 ALS Alumni Association president, Nathon Herendeen '64, presents a plaque to Michael Barrett '71, outgoing president, in appreciation of Barrett's service to the Alumni Association.
(Right) Professor Leonard Topoleski of the Department of Fruit and Vegetable Science is presented the 1998 Edgerton Career Teaching Award by Dean Daryl Lund ond Michael Barrett '71, 1997-98 ALS Alumm Association president This award is given each yeor to someone who has had an exemplary leaching career
Homecoming Events-October 17 ALS News, Alumni Forum r Web Page Win Awards
Cost includes football ticket and tailgate party *
ALS Alumni Association members and guests: $ 14 in advance; $10 for youth (12 and under) and seniors (60 and over)
Nonmembers and guests. $16 in advance; $12 for youth (12 and under) and seniors (60 and over).
For those who already have football tickets, you are welcome to come and enjoy the tailgate party at a cost of $4 per person.
______
aip here and mail to the ALS Alumni Affairs Office, Cornell University. 265 Roberts Hall, Ithaca. NY 148534203 ALSNews received a judges' citation or fax to (607)-255-3803, by the October 9 deadline! (second place) in the alumni maga- ^nesynewslettercategtjryofthecom- petition heldI by SUNY's Council for Name University Affairs and Development Class torthe three Issues produced in 1997. Spouse/Guest Name The'judges said, “Reading the won- Class def u! artlcles in this newsletter Address would probably be as instructional as any institution s classes. Great photography and graphics." City State Zip . hi News also ,ook second prize i n the alumni and donor publications Telephone category of the National Agricultural f? umn',a.nd Development Associa Please reserve______tickets for the Homecoming football game 6 a cost of $______each tion s (NAADA) annual competition. The Alumni Forum held on cam Please reserve______tickets for the Homecoming football game @ a cost of $______each pus on April 18, 1998. won second «xVf 'njh^umni projects category No. attending_____ Total Enclosed $______of NAADA s competition. During the Porum, alumni returned to the col Pleate make check* payable to the ALS Alumni Association lege and attended special courses designed for the day. Discover/Mastercard/Visa H______.Exp. date. nm”- Career Development Office s Web page placed third in the Signature (for credit card processing). student/professional Web page cat egory of the NAADA competition. ALS Planned Giving Luncheon Honors Alumni and Friends
t the sixth annual Ali Planned Giving Luncheon held on April 24, Daryl Lund, the Ronald P. Lynch Dean, recognized nearly 100 alumni and friends of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences who have made or are considering Amaking planned gifts. As he expressed appreciation on behalf of the college. Dean Lund explained that planned gifts and other forms of private sup|x>rt are instrumental for the college to maintain its margin of excellence Master of Ceremonies and A15 Planned Giving Committee chair Elwyn Voss ’64 talked about considering the difference between success and significance and creating a personal legacy. Committee member David Nolan '49 highlighted planned gifts made by Helen E. Krebs '32 and Robert '34 and Olive GR Richord Reynolds '36 and granddaughter Kale Reynolds 90 are Dawn and Daryl Lund shore a moment with Henry ‘Hank’ '59 and Boehlecke and explained how everyone greeted by Dean Lund Ruth Ann Parker involved benefits from a planned gift Craig Gfeller 98 noted how much he had learned about “life as a whole" while attending Cor nell and said that the scholarship assistance he received had allowed him to go to Cor nell. He thanked the group for "taking a chance on a country boy and many others like him." Jean Rowley 54 and the Donor Relations Subcommittee planner! the luncheon.
iotas by Charles Harrington, nivorsify Photography Herbert '36 and Mildred Kling of Fonda. N Y Williom Fuerst Jr '39 and Craig Gfeller '98
The ALS Alumni Association I Cornell University Limited Edition Artwork I Order Form Presents this I Mail order form lo I ALS Alumni Association I Cornell University Limited Time Offer... I 265 Roberts Hall | Ithaca, NY 14853-4203
I Please reserve limited edition framed prints at $345.00 each plus *$25 00 shipping, | hondling, and insurance I I I | I PREFER TO PAY AS FOLLOWS I Check: Enclosed please find my check for the full amount due, mode payable to I I "Cornell University" I Credit Cord Please charge my account below: I I Visa [ Mastercard Discover I I Account # Exp. date I I ------I | Signature I I ’ I | FRAMING CHOICE: Please check one I I | Frame Style A: Traditional Look Framed to a size of approx 25"x31 " Triple I matted with a burgundy inner mat. a granite stone beveled fillet, and a mist gray e are proud toannounce that nationally known artist Robin Lauersdorf has been I outer mat surrounded by a twoinch mahogany frame commissioned to create an extraordinary^pencil drawing ofCorndlUmwrsltr I Carefully researched and meticulously drawn, this highly detailed worko art | Frame Style B: Contemporary Look. Framed to a size of approx 25"x31' I Wcaptures the historic significance and the unique beauty of our• campus. It depic Triples matted with a red inner mat. a gramie stone beveled fillet, and mist gray outer Goldwin Smith Hall. Bailey Auditorium, Willard Straight Hall. McGraw Tower. Uris mol surrounded by a two-mch ribbed, slack wood frame. I Library. Beebe Lake Falls, Sage Chapel, and the Ezra Cornell Statue. I Only 500 signed and numbered limited edition prints areJJvaitoWe^ Each prmUramed I Purchaser's Name I to approximately 25 by 31 inches, is ^00 ^Sn rag | ------I quality rag mat boards and a hand-wrapped bevel fillet Acid-free 100 pent nt rag | Street Address______I museumouality paper ensuresalifetime of enjoyment.Framesare available intraditional | City______State______Zip______I mahogany or contemporary black. Each drawing has been thoroughly inspected, and I | Daytime Phone __ I of $345 Approximately one third is tax deductible for which you will receive gift credit I and a Coniell Gift receipt. Proceeds will provide endowment funds for scholarshtpaid for | Items will be shipped lo this name and oddfess unless a different "ship to" is attached to lhe I ALS students and support for other alumni projects. s,riktno Pvoke | order form I This drawing truly captures the spirit of Cornell. Not only will this striking piece evoke | " Shipping charge of $25 per pockage. maximum ol two framed prints per pockoge cherished memories and display your pride In your alma mater, but you 11 be he ping I future students receive an outstandingeducation for yearstocome.Wehope you willtake | " Shipping via UPS in Continental U S. only I advantage of this special opportunity. I______Outstanding Alumni Award Recipents for 1998
the Long Island Nurserymen s Association. Hicks Stephen B. Ashley '62, MBA '64 is has been honored with numerous awards, chairman and chief executive officer of the including being named man of the year in 1990 Ashley Group in Rochester, N.Y. The Group by the Long Island Nurserymen's Association. includes S. B. Ashley Management Corporation. Hicks's energy and enthusiasm have benefited S. B. Ashley Brokerage Corporation, and S. B. the college. From 1990 to 1994 he served on Dean Ashley & Associates Venture Company. LLC. The Call's Advisory Committee. He is a member of the Group specializes in commercial and multifamily Tower Club, has conducted interviews with real estate management, investment, sales, prospective high school seniors, and generously leasing, and financing. Prior to 1995, Ashley was supported Alumni Auditorium. Hicks's gifts have chairman and chief executive officer of the been well employed in service to Cooperative Sibley Mortgage Corporation, a mortgage Extension and its efforts to meet the needs of banking firm that he built and owned. He is also local consumers and “green industry" profession director of Hahn Automotive Warehouse, Inc.; als. His skills benefit the community beyond Essex Fund. Inc.; Manning & Napier Insurance Cornell; he serves as chairman of the board of Fund, inc.; the Genesee Corporation, and Fannie Winthrop University Hospital, as well as chairman Mae, all publicly traded companies. Ashley is former president of the Mortgage ol the Environmental Commission for the Village of Westbury, where he lives with Bankers Association of America. He has served on boards of various local organi zations including the George Eastman House—International Museum of Photogra his wife. Marilyn. They have three children, including Stephen '94. phy, the Rochester Chamber of Commerce, and the Greater Rochester Health System. Ashley has been a member of the Cornell Council since 1971. He has served on Elwyn G. Voss '64, MS '72 owns Elwyn the Annual Planning Committee in 1996, and chaired the Annual Meeting Planning Voss and Associates in Norwich. N.Y. This firm Committees in 1997 and 1998. He currently is chair of the Mann Library Develop- has been associated with New England Life I ment Campaign Committee, as well as a member of his class’s 35th Reunion Major Insurance Company in Boston. Mass., and with I Gifts Committee. He has served as co-chair of the College s Campaign Special Gifts the Kessler Agency of Syracuse. N.Y., for over 22 I Committee as well as chair of the 25th Reunion Major Gifts Committee. He is also years. Voss and staff members service over 600 I a member of the Real Estate Council. Ashley has had extensive involvement with businesses and 2.400 other clients, many of ' the Johnson Graduate School of Management, serving on various committees, them closely held family businesses with an including serving as chair of the Annual Fund Tower Club. He is one of Cornell’s agricultural orientation. In this capacity Voss outstanding volunteers who has worked with a broad range of alumni, faculty and has earned numerous awards and honors, staff. culminating in the President's Award from New Ashley and his wife. Janice, are among Cornell’s foremost benefactors, having England Ute in 1996. This award recognizes established in 1991 the Stephen B. and Janice G. Ashley Graduate Fellowship In exceptional performance throughout an entire the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The Ashley’s also own a 1 .OOO-acre 1 cash crop farm in Livonia, N.Y.. and have three children, including Jillian, who was life insurance sales career. Prior to starting his I in the A1.S class of 1996. own business. Voss worked for Cooperative Extension, earning the Outstanding Young Agent Award while working as an agent in Chenango County. Voss has donated his exceptional skills to the college on many occasions. His Carole Friedman Bitter PhD '81 is master's degree focused on estate planning and he currently shares this expertise president and CEO of Friedman's Supermarkets, as the chair of the college's Planned Giving Committee. He is also a member of a 97-year-old, privately held family business with Cornell Council and has served on the ALS Advisory Council as well as the recent stores in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. After a Cornell Campaign His volunteer activities encompass 4-H. where he functions as year of graduate work at Cornell, Bitter joined a trustee of the New York State 4-H Foundation; as well as the unique Pathfinder Stop & Shop as a management trainee in 1968. Village, an Americana village dedicated to providing a home for patients with Rising quickly through the ranks. Bitter became Downs Syndrome. He and his wife, Angelina (Angie), have five children; the oldest. the first woman, as well as the youngest, super Scott, has joined the business, and the youngest son, Brian, will attend ALS this market manager in the 160-store chain. Leaving in 1973, she earned an MBA from Northwestern and completed her Ph.D. at Cornell in 1981. In 1985 she was named Outstanding Woman in the Pennsylvania Food Industry, and in 1988,1990, Thomas H. Wickham '62, MS '67, 1991, and 1992 she accepted the Grocer's Care PhD '71 has been a leader in the fields of Award for Friedman Supermarket’s dedication to engineering and agriculture. As a recent college the community. In 1988 she was named “Retailer graduate, Wickham traveled to Cambodia, where of the Year" by the Peter J. Schmitt Company. he served as a volunteer and team leader with Bitter has made the trip back to Cornell often. For years, she has returned each the American Friends Service Committee. There spring to be a guest lecturer in the food marketing classes taught by Gene German he carried out agricultural and engineering and the late Wendell Earle. She currently serves on the Cornell Council, the extension work. Later transferred to Vietnam, he Cornell Advisory Committee on Personal Enterprise and Small Business Manage often served as an interpreter for agricultural ment Program, as well as the Cornell Food Industry Management Advisory Board, officers between the two countries. Upon for which she directs a subcommittee that led the effort for the first-ever “Food completion of his graduate work in the Philip Industry Management Alumni Symposium." held on campus in summer 1998. pines in 1971, Wickham joined the International This year. Bitter also learned that she has been chosen as one of Pennsylvania's Rice Research Institute to carry out Best 50 Women in Business for 1998 by the Business Journals of Pennsylvania and groundbreaking work on rice irrigation over the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, an seas. This ultimately led to his selection as the honor based on professional and personal accomplishments affecting the busi first director general of the Irrigation Manage ness community, particularly those on behalf of women. She and her husband. ment Institute based in Colombo, Sri Lanka. After returning to the United States. Wickham became partner and general Frederick, live in Butler. Pa. manager of Wickham’s Fruit Farm in Southold, N.Y. The Wickham Farm (estab lished inl968) was one of the early participants in Suffolk County s program of purchasing development rights to preserve the farming environment of the Alfred H. Hicks '62, MBA '63 has been president of Hicks Nurseries since county. Now expanded to include a diversity of fruits and vegetables, Wickham s 1967. His new state-of-the-art nursery and greenhouses In Nassau County have Fruit Farm is a leader in meeting the desires of local residents for fresh produce. created a gardening fever among the residents while assuring a place for horticul Elected to the position of councilman and eventually supervisor. Wickham helped ture into the 21st century. Hicks has been an outstanding member of the American create a county recycling program and strategies for open-space preservation. Nursery and Landscape Association (formerly known as the American Association Wickham has served on the ALS Advisory Council and is often consulted for of Nurserymen) since 1963. During his recent tenure as president, he helped to advice by those in the agricultural and biological engineering program at Cornell. move the industry in new directions as well as update their corporate name. His Wickham is married to Gelcee and they have one child. other service in this field Includes serving as director of the Horticultural Re search Institute. Florist Mutual. New York State Nurserymen's Association, and Young Alumni Achievement Award 1998 powdery mildew, and Fusarium wilt disease respectively. Munger's work has brought acclaim to the college and his personal list of John M. Clark '80, MBA '86 has Iteen awards and honors is long. Most significantly, he was the first United States dedicated to the field of agriculture since his gradua recipient of the World Seed Prize in 1994. inducted into the Hall of Fame for the tion from the college In his current occupation he American Horticultural Sciences in 1995. and awarded the Luther Burbank Award works as the national accounts manager for Milk (AHAS) in 1996. He continues to serve the college as a professor emeritus. Munger Products, Inc., a division of Land O' Lakes. Focusing and his wife. Norma, live in Ithaca, and have two daughters. on dried milk products used for baby animal feeds and animal health products. Clark was recognized for achieving the largest single sale of any account manager in the company's history. His previous ,\ou are invited! work within agriculture includes positions with Merrik's, Inc.. Empire Harvestor Systems, and VH Annis Dairy, inc., where he helped achieve a 26 jtf£§yllumni'flwards Banquet percent increase in product line sales. Jriday. October 2,1998, 6 p.m. Clark is well known to those within the college, Statler Ballroom, Statler Inn especially within the ALS Alumni Association. He served tirelessly as director for District 12 from 1986 Cornell University, Ithaca, J+ewyork through 1996, wherein he earned high praise from his colleagues for his enthusiasm and innovation. He went on to serve as treasurer, vice president, and then president in 1996- Return reservations by September 22, 1998 to ALS Alumni Association, 265 Roberts Hall. Ithaca, NY 14853-4203. 97. Clark s talents were enlisted as well for the Alumni Auditorium campaign and the most recent dean's search committee. His dedication to Cornell also includes the Johnson Lodging School, where he earned an MBA in 1986. A block of rooms at the Triphammer Lodge & Conference Center Clark's extracurricular activities are manifold. Dedicated to his family, he participates in (800-257-6992)and Econolodge (800-55ECONO) local 4+1 groups and projects, serves on committees for the Saint Frances deSales will be held until September 4, 1998. Regional Catholic School, and is an active member of the New York State Draft Horse Please make reservations directly with the hotels. zXssociation. He and his wife. Patricia '80, DVM '85. live in Mohawk, N.Y., with their two daughters. Name Class
Spouse/guesl
Outstanding Faculty/Staff Award 1998 Address
David L. Call '54, MS '58, PhD '60 City Slate Zip. stepped down as the Ronald P. Lynch Dean of the Telephone ( ) College of Agriculture and Life Sciences 45 years after taking his first undergraduate course at Meal choices ALS Alumni Assoc Member & Guest Nonmember
1998-99 CORNELL CALENDAR UNIVFKSITY Alumni Affairs and Development 265 Roberts Hall College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Cornell University X / Ithaca, New York 14853-1203
Address Correction Requested
New Student and Transfer Student Send-off in District #9 (Saratoga, Wotren, and Washington counhesl For details, contact district director Inside This Issue Mike VaHo 76 at (518) 584-4215 or email “■ Irradiated Burgers ““ Grad Students Professor Homecoming Awards Banquet loofhheodQool com Face Consumer Work Behind Averts , Tailgate Party— Reservation Challenge the Scenes Malnutrition LiL. RSVP Form Avgust 11-13 3 Empire Form Days on lhe Rodman Lott & Sons Form on Route #414 south of Seneca Falls, brews, and a special souvenir gilt For details, N Y For further information contact lhe AIS September 19 November 6 Northern California alumni event, Napa Valley contact district director Ed Stoehr 88 al (315) Transfer Day (or prospective ALS transfer Alumm Affairs Office at (607) 255 7651 Speaker. W Ronnie Coffman, PhD 71, ALS 8897336 or email estoehrOcce Cornell edu students Contact ALS Admissions Office assocvjie deon and director ol research For (607) 255-2036 October 16-18 AIS AJumm Association Deon s Reception with details contact Ray Borton 53 al (530) 756- Homecoming Weekend Dean Daryl Lund ond Merrill Ewert director of 0632 January 23, 1999 Cornel vs Bucknell football game, 1 p m Cornell Cooperative Extension at Empire Farm Cornel vs Colgate hockey gome al Colgate Days 2-4 p m in the Morton Building For September 26 7pm Join fellow ALS alumm from Districts # 12 Springfield Exposition ("Big E'l alumni event 4 p m October 17 further details contact Ted Mullen 55 at and # 13 lor a pregome reception al the Colgate with Dean Daryl Lund For details, contact Patricia ALS Alumm Association Tailgate Party Kile Hill (315)5482544 Inn before lhe game, 4 30 p.m For funhei Chatterton 56.17811444 3822, or Richard parkina lot directly behind lhe stadium before lhe information, contact Bill Davidson 66. District • 13 Cornell vs Bucknell football game Noon to I Baldwin 71 (413)5684981 director al (607) 674-6211 p m For tickets to the game and tailgate party, The Maine Event Weekend Conference entitled 'Natural Resources ond lhe Environment— Our October 2 see reservation form on page 12. Living World" m Bar Harbor Marne at lhe Outstanding Aiumn, Awaids Banauet Stoller Ballroom Stoller Inn. on Cornell campus. 6pm October 17 College of lhe Atlantic campus For details Open House for prospective ALS students contact district director Patricia Chatterton 56 See the reservation form on page 15. Cantoci imda Wyflie, ALS Alumm AHoirs Office Contact ALS Admissions Office. (781)444-3822 at 1607) 255-7651 or email Hw80cornell edu (607)2552036
October 29 VicH Hw College of Agriculture and Summer prcmc lor AIS alumm m District #27 October 4 Dean/Alumni Get-Together for Saratoga LHe Scloncoi' Web cite: (Broome and I«go counhesl For details, Lunch at lhe Gtnny lee Cafe and Tour ol www.cali.cemoll.edu Washington and Warren counties For details, contact district director Ron Cooke 91 c* (607) Wagner s Vineyards and MtcroBrewery beginning al 2 p m Cost $ 17 per person contact district director Mike Valia 76 at (518) Or go directly to Hie ALS Alumni 8493748 or email rcookelOOlOaol com Association: www.cels.comoll.o4w/ includes lunch tour tasting d wines and mcro 5814215 or email toofhheadOool com elwmnl/alwmni.btwi