ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The Society of American Florists (SAF) presented the 2011 Alex Laurie Award for Research and Education to Kansas educator Raymond Cloyd, Ph.D., during the Industry Awards Dinner at SAF's 127th Annual Convention, held in Rancho Mirage, Calif.
SAF awards committee member and fellow professor Terril Nell, Ph.D., AAF, tried to paint a picture of what it's like to be one of Cloyd’s students: “When you walk into Ray Cloyd’s classroom at Kansas State University, strangely, you might find students testing Mountain Dew or lavender oil to see how effective they are in combating pests on floriculture crops,” Nell said. “But for Ray and his students, that wouldn’t be an unusual sight. Instead, it’s just one example of his engaging and often humorous pragmatism.”
Nell went on to talk about Cloyd’s passion for combatting pests in environmentally friendly and cost effective ways and praised him as “one of the most productive researchers in the country” and for the “legacy of students trained in ornamental horticulture.” Dr. Cloyd is an associate professor and extension specialist in ornamental entomology and integrated pest management at KSU.
A very “humbled and honored” Dr. Cloyd came to the podium and took the opportunity to thank those who’ve helped him. “I want to acknowledge the support of the American Floral Endowment, whose funds made it possible to conduct research against many pests and diseases.”
Read the complete text of the award presentation below.
2011 Alex Laurie Award for Research and Education Tribute to Dr. Raymond Cloyd, Kansas State University
(Presented by Dr. Terril Nell, AAF, Sept. 15, 2011 at the Westin Mission Hills Resort, Palm Springs, Calif.)
When you walk into Ray Cloyd’s classroom at Kansas State University, strangely, you might find students testing Mountain Dew or lavender oil to see how effective they are in combating pests on floriculture crops. But for Ray and his students, that wouldn’t be an unusual sight. Instead, it’s just one example of his engaging and often humorous pragmatism.
To those who know him or who have been in his classroom, it’s clear that Ray has a talent for sharing information. As an associate professor and extension specialist in entomology, Ray has been a star attraction at many venues across the country. He is equally at ease explaining the “ick” factor about bed bugs to college students as he is in delivering no-nonsense, bottom-line analysis to growers. He can help garden club members learn about more environmentally-safe pest controls, or show commercial growers how to save money and combat pests at the same time.
Clearly, Ray is passionate about entomology. He even takes trips to places like Enterprise, Alabama, so he can pay homage to the boll weevil monument as seen here.
Armed with a Ph.D. in entomology from Purdue University, Ray is considered one of the most productive researchers in the country. He has published more than 60 scientifically refereed journal articles, 35 extension publications, and nearly 400 articles in trade journals and newsletters. He also has authored or co-authored several books, technical reports, and manuals.
Ray is in high demand on the lecture circuit educating people at the commercial, consumer and university level. Ray has given more than 600 presentations in his career at professional societies, trade shows and garden clubs.
He also leaves of legacy of students trained in ornamental horticulture. He has been the major advisor or co-advisor for nine graduate students, and currently has three graduate students he is advising.
Although ultimately it may never be documented in his resume, some believe the results of Ray’s work will significantly decrease applications of insecticides on floriculture crops, resulting in safer working conditions and less impact on the environment.
Ray has been actively involved in a wide variety of industry organizations and professional societies and has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the Outstanding Service Award from the Entomological Society of America.
For his important contributions to insect pest management and his ambitious, productive and ongoing research in the field, it is my great honor to once again present to you this year’s winner of the Alex Laurie Award for Research and Education, Dr. Raymond Cloyd.
Source: Society of American Florists
