News Release
For Immediate Release — September 18, 2009
Agricultural Economics Department Celebrates 90th Anniversary with Alumni Dinner
Not many of us were around in 1919. The first World War had just come to an end.
Woodrow Wilson was our nation’s president, and he governed over 48 states. Cheers to Prohibition, as it was just kicking off. There was even an outbreak of flu that year.
Here on the University of Tennessee Agricultural campus, there was a little bit of academic history made that year too. Not only did construction start on Morgan Hall - where the Institute of Agriculture is headquartered - but the University also began offering classes in Agricultural Economics. The department was born Sept. 1, 1919.
Fast forward almost a century, and Ag Econ celebrates a 90th anniversary this year.
Today it is one of the first and oldest Ag Econ departments among our nation’s universities.
“Our department conducts dynamic research, teaching and Extension programs,” says Dr. Delton Gerloff, Department Head. “It thrives on change and its history reflects that dynamic nature. From our work in farm management and policy economics in the 20's and 30's, to our modern-day research in bio-energy, natural resources, precision agriculture and financial management - the department continues to set the standard for land grant universities,” he says.
To mark the occasion of the 90th Anniversary, friends and alumni of Ag Economics are invited to a Celebration Dinner in Room 156 of the Plant BioTech Building on the UT Ag campus, Friday evening, September 25, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $10, and that includes dinner and dessert catered by Calhoun’s Restaurant.
Those wishing to attend are asked to RSVP by calling 865-974-7231 or registering online at http://economics.ag.utk.edu/
The evening will include a brief presentation by Dr. Gerloff on the latest news from the department and memories from alumnus Phil Baggett. Mr. Baggett is Vice Chairman of Community Education Partners, a provider of academic and behavior improvement programs for students in grades 6 through 12 in the Nashville area.
“This event will honor those who have paved the way for the current successes, acknowledge those who are involved in present-day accomplishments, and set our sights on even bigger and better things in the future,” says Dr. Gerloff.
The department today has nearly 100 students enrolled in 23 undergraduate courses and 22 graduate courses. Since 1919, the department has awarded undergraduate degrees to more than 2,000 students, more than 450 MS degrees, nearly 100 Ph. Ds, and today has nearly 1,200 living alumni. The department also recently started a joint MS-MBA program with the College of Business Administration. The MS is earned in Ag Econ, and the MBA in Business, and both degrees can be earned within a two-year period.
Current students say they appreciate the department’s history and tradition, and are excited about the career possibilities their degrees will offer.
“Agricultural Economics and Business is an ideal major for me because of the opportunities, experiences, and importance to our world,” says Sarah McDonald, a junior from Carthage. Sarah’s family farms several thousand acres in Smith County in middle Tennessee.
“It’s a wonderful learning environment with great staff and student relationships. The faculty strives to help students learn and guide them in the right direction for their future,” Sarah says.
Agricultural Economics is a department within the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, a unit of the UT Institute of Agriculture.
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Contact: Dr. Delton Gerloff - 865-974-7231, quince@tennessee.edu
Contact: Mark Clark - 865-974-5315, mclark4@tennessee.edu
Contact: Chuck Denney - 865-974-7367, cmdenney@utk.edu