The North Carolina A&T chapter of Gamma Sigma Delta, the Honor Society of Agriculture, celebrated its 50^th anniversary on October 28 at the University Farm Pavilion.

“Congratulations to the organization for being in existence for 50 years and for representing students, faculty and staff in agriculture,” said CAES Interim Dean Shirley Hymon-Parker, Ph.D. in opening remarks.

N.C. A&T’s chapter in Gamma Sigma Delta, one of 56 established chapters internationally, was installed October 22, 1974. Faculty members during the chapter’s first year included the late A.P. Bell and former CAES dean Burleigh Webb, the namesake of the college’s Webb Animal Science Hall.

Guest speaker Blannie Bowen, Ph.D., one of 1974’s inaugural members and former faculty of the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, reminisced about the establishment of the chapter and commented on the performance of its current, and incoming, members.

“When I look out here in the hall and I see a lot of the poster presentations from the students, I think about some of the other institutions I’ve been a part of that don’t take part in activities like this,” said Bowen. “I think an honor society is something beyond what you put on your resume, so I’m very impressed with what I’ve seen here.”

The celebration included the induction of the chapter’s 23 newest members as well as a panel discussion on diversity in agriculture, featuring CAES professors Kenrett Jefferson-Moore, Ph.D. and Leonard Williams, Ph.D., SAS Director of Crop Science John Gottula, Ph.D., and Regional Extension Director Shannon Wiley, Ph.D.

“In order to impact the agricultural sector, you have to learn how all of our areas of expertise connect and contribute to the food system and food chain, particularly when we think about the threats that we have to our food system,” said Wiley. “You have to be aware of that, learn to collaborate, and network.”