News Release
July 18, 2007

Growers, UW honor former director during Powell field day

Plaques and honors were presented to the former director of the University of Wyoming Powell Research and Extension Center (PREC) at a luncheon during the station’s field day Tuesday, July 10.

Alan Gray became center director in 1997 and retired May 18. Gray sustained serious injuries during an accident at the center July 27, 2005, and has been recuperating. Abdel Mesbah, who was interim director, has been named director.

“You can’t have success without good people,” Gray told those attending the luncheon. “We really do have good people here. We’ve had really good cooperation by the county agents and the administration. They’ve been very supportive.”

Gray received plaques and honors from the UW College of Agriculture, Wyoming Crop Improvement Association (WCIA), Wyoming Alfalfa Seed Grower Association, PREC Advisory Board, UW Department of Plant Sciences, Wyoming Business Council, PREC, UW Seed Certification Service, Denny J. Smith Seed Memorial Analysis Laboratory, and University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service (UW CES).

Gray received his bachelor’s degree in botany from Fort Hays State University in 1969, his master’s in range science from Utah State University in 1975, and his doctorate in agronomy from the University of Nebraska in 1980. He joined UW in 1984 as a forage extension specialist in the Department of Plant Sciences in the College of Agriculture.

“I want to thank everyone for coming,” he told the audience. “I’m overwhelmed by what’s going on here and how the station looks. Abdel is doing a fantastic job. I don’t think the station has ever looked this good. Abdel and the staff have really been wonderful. I’m going to miss you.”

Plaques and honors Gray received include:

* The College of Agriculture Award – Presented to Gray by Frank Galey, dean of the College of Agriculture, and Steve Miller, associate dean and director of the Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station, for dedicated service to the College of Agriculture, PREC and the forage industry.

* The Wyoming Crop Improvement Association Award – Presented by WCIP President Mike Forman in appreciation to Gray for service to WCIA and dedication to the Wyoming seed industry.

* John Grover, president of the Alfalfa Seed Growers Association, presented a check for $2,500 in Gray’s name to the Big Horn and Wind River Basin Applied Research Fund for applied research projects in northwest Wyoming.

* The Alan Gray Award, presented by Scott Keith of the Wyoming Business Council, to be awarded along with $200 for Best of Show at the Wyoming State Fair and Rodeo Hay Show.

* Barbecue grill with a plaque was presented by Kelly Speiring, chairman of the PREC Advisory Board, on behalf of producers, PREC Advisory Board members, and faculty and staff members at the plant sciences department, seed certification, seed laboratory and PREC.

* Gift Bag – Presented by UW CES director Glen Whipple.

On the Web: http://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/uwexpstn/Powell.asp

Contact: Steven L. Miller, Senior Editor
Phone: (307) 766-6342
E-mail: slmiller@uwyo.edu
Archived News Site http://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/UWAG/news.asp

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