Department of Crop and Soil Sciences Funding Priorities
Endowed Chair in Production Ecology/Plant Pest Ecology (jointly with Forestry, Entomology, Horticulture and Plant Pathology) Expansion of interdisciplinary research and education programs in production and plant pest ecology is needed to diversify and sustain agricultural productivity. An endowed position would expand linkages among crop production and protection disciplines to address fundamental research that links commodity and resource issues and to prepare undergraduate and graduate students for the complex issues facing plant production and related industries. Endowment may be designed to enhance an existing program or to create a new program.
Graduate Program Enhancement Endowments This initiative is designed to encourage excellence in Crop and Science Graduate programs by providing resources to attract outstanding graduate students and to provide them with unique research and teaching experiences. Funds will be used for fellowships and assistantships for outstanding students, support to attend special conferences and workshops, visiting lectureships and seminars, and state-of-the-art equipment. Varying levels of endowments are needed.
Research Endowment Moving into a new area of science often requires investments in equipment, training and personnel. However, it is often difficult to secure funding at early stages of concept development. This endowment will focus on providing funds for faculty members and students to carry out new lines of research, to travel, and to obtain specialized equipment that will allow the department flexibility to explore novel ideas that may develop into the next frontiers of science.
James B. and Harriet Beard Endowed Graduate Fellowship in Turfgrass Science MSU has a history of excellence in research in turfgrass science. The goal of this endowment is to build on this tradition by attracting and retaining high quality graduate students working to apply fundamental sciences to turfgrass culture and genetics. In addition, this fellowship will allow us to match other funds to compete with other institutions for the highest quality students and to enhance the graduate experience through travel, participation in national and international scientific meetings, and unique educational opportunities.
Undergraduate Student Professional Enhancement Endowment This initiative will focus on expanding educational opportunities by providing undergraduate students in Crop and Soil Sciences with greater hands-on experience and an enhanced perspective of the professional world. The goal to help graduates enter the job market better prepared to respond to the rapidly changing industry. Examples of activities designed to enhance the educational experience include field trips, lectures by practicing professionals, trips to professional conferences and workshops, judging teams, biotechnology laboratories, web site development, mock interviews, and other participatory learning experiences.