Plant Biology Centennial

 

Plant biology has been taught since Cornell University first opened its doors to students in 1868. In recognition of it’s 145 years of history and service to the University, the Department of Plant Biology celebrated by organizing a two-day series of events. The celebration started with a keynote lecture by Dr. Marcus A. McFerren (Friday, June 28, 2013), entitled A Journey Through Plant Biology: Botanical Medicine & All It’s Warts. The lecture was followed the next day (Saturday, June 29, 2013) with introductory remarks by Dr. William L. Crepet (Chair of the Department of Plant Biology), Dr. Jan Nyrop (Senior Associate Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences), and Mr. Simon Zhou (a first-year graduate student) all of whom welcomed the approximately 175 attendees. These welcoming remarks were followed by five-30 minute talks: The Early History of Botany at Cornell (delivered by Mr. Edward D. Cobb, who organized the entire celebration), The McClintock Years (delivered by Dr. Lee B. Kass), The Early Integrated History of the Four Cornell Herbaria (delivered by Mr. Robert Dirig), Modern Herbaria and the Future Why Do We Need them Now? (delivered by Dr. Kevin C. Nixon), and Plant Biology in the Next 100 Years (delivered by Dr. Adrienne Roeder, the newest faculty member in the Department of Plant Biology). These lectures were followed by a banquet held at the Statler Hotel.

Photo at top-right: The Centennial Celebration Committee: (l-r) Edward D. Cobb, Maria Alejandra Gandolfo Nixon and Karl J. Niklas

Recent Submissions

  • 08_Plant Biology in the Next 100 Years 

    Roeder, Adrienne (Internet-First University Press, 2013-06-29)
    Dr. Adrienne Roeder reviewed the many changes that have occurred since the University was first founded, and made the important point that “If we can predict the scientific developments in the next 100 years, we have failed ...

  • 06_The Early Integrated History of the Four Cornell Herbaria 

    Dirig, Robert (Internet-First University Press, 2013-06-29)
    Mr. Robert Dirig discussed the history of Cornell University’s four major herbaria, which include collections of vascular plants, algae, fungi, and lichens, and showed how these herbaria contributed to the University’s prestige.

  • 07_The Tompkins County Flora: A new life for a cherished collection 

    Nixon, Kevin C. (Internet-First University Press, 2013-06-29)
    Dr. Kevin C. Nixon developed the theme of how herbaria influence (and will continue to influence) both basic and applied research.

  • 05_The McClintock Years 

    Kass, Lee B. (Internet-First University Press, 2013-06-29)
    Dr. Lee B. Kass discussed the important contributions of previous faculty to the development of Barbara McClintock’s research, which ultimately resulted in her receiving a Nobel Prize in 1983.

  • 03_Introduction by Shaoqun (Simon) Zhou 

    Zhou, Shaoqun (Internet-First University Press, 2013-06-29)
    Mr. Shaogun (Simon) Zhou represented the many, highly diverse graduate students currently in the Department and pointed out the importance of graduate training.

  • 01_Introduction by Bill Crepet 

    Crepet, William L. (Internet-First University Press, 2013-06-29)
    Dr. William L. Crepet welcomed the attendees and speakers by pointing out the diversity of research and services provided by the Department. He also drew upon many personnel anecdotes from his long career as Chair.

  • 02_Introduction by Dr. Jan Nyrop 

    Nyrop, Jan (Internet-First University Press, 2013-06-29)
    Dr. Jan Nyrop also welcomed the attendees and discussed the current and future important roles of the College and the College’s commitment to agriculture in New York State.

  • 04_Early History of Botany at Cornell 

    Cobb, Edward D. (Internet-First University Press, 2013-06-29)
    Mr. Edward D. Cobb presented a lecture outlining the first 75 plus years of botanical history at the University and showed how the study of plants influenced the early growth of Cornell.

  • 00_Keynote Lecture Dr. Marcus A. McFerren: A Journey Through Plant Biology: Botanical Medicine & All It’s Warts 

    McFerren, Marcus A. (Internet-First University Press, 2013-06-28)
    Dr. Marcus A. McFerren presented numerous examples of how the discovery of plant secondary products have helped fight human diseases and how future plant explorations will likely continue to lead to new pharmaceuticals.

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