A Tribute to Norman Borlaug

by Dr. Richard Zeyen

• Norman Borlaug, one of the University of Minnesota Department of Plant Pathology’s most distinguished alumni, passed away at his home in Dallas, Texas, on September 12, 2009. He was 95. Born in 1914 on a farm near Cresco, Iowa, he came to the University of Minnesota in 1933 as an undergraduate. He attracted the attention of another distinguished plant pathologist, Professor Elvin C. Stakman, during a Big Ten Wrestling match. In turn, a seminar given by Stakman about rust diseases of cereal plants greatly influenced the future course of Norman’s life. After earning a B.S. degree in forestry, Borlaug began graduate work in plant pathology, where he researched box elder wood deterioration for his M.S. (1941), and, later, flax wilt for his Ph.D. (1942). After graduating, he took a position in industry, but was soon recruited by Stakman, on behalf of the Rockefeller Foundation, to go to Mexico in 1944 to assist in increasing that country’s wheat production. Working tirelessly along side others, Borlaug pioneered breeding, cultivation, and training strategies that guided Mexico into achieving self-sufficiency in wheat production in only 12 years. Similar successes were repeated in Pakistan, China and India. Borlaug’s work, along with those others, was to become known as the “Green Revolution”. This revolution in agriculture and agricultural education had enormous worldwide impact. As one of the prime representatives of these revolutionary advances in applied plant science, Borlaug was awarded the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize for the direct impact his work had on food security and hence political stability. In subsequent years, he garnered many other awards, but remained a humble and confident citizen of the world. He became a lifelong advocate for the elimination of hunger and poverty through agricultural improvement and education. He exemplified the Land Grant University tradition.

  
  

  Norman Borlaug maintained a close relationship with his many friends in the Department of Plant Pathology. He was instrumental in getting many of its graduates to join international agricultural programs. Whenever possible, he would visit the plant pathology department on the St. Paul campus. His visits were often informal, coffee hour gatherings and field/laboratory discussions and the like. In 2007, he joined the department in celebrating its 100th anniversary.

  
  

  On Thursday, October 8, 2009, the University of Minnesota will give tribute to Norman Borlaug at the McNamara Alumni Center on the Minneapolis Campus. All students, faculty and staff are invited to attend. Further details about the memorial will be posted soon.

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• The Plant Pathology Library is subject-oriented, specializing in plant diseases, plant virology, mycology, mycotoxicology, and the effects of air pollution on vegetation.
• The Plant Pathology Library is a branch of the University Libraries.
• The collection serves not only the Department of Plant Pathology faculty and students, but also the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities community at large and the general public.



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