to honor plant pathologist
J. Lawrence Apple
In ceremonies
Jan. 15, the J. Lawrence Apple Endowment was created in honor of Dr.
J. Lawrence Apple, professor emeritus of plant pathology in the College
of Agriculture and Life Sciences at N.C.
State University. The endowment was established through a gift from
Apple’s wife, Ella, and will support graduate fellowships in the
Plant Pathology Department
of the College.
Dr. James L.
Oblinger, dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, described
the endowment as “one of the most flexible, yet targeted, endowments
that I’ve seen. It will be built to benefit plant pathology, focusing
on enhancement of graduate education through assistantship dollars.
“At a
time when the university has made a decision to grow its graduate program,
these dollars are appreciated,” said Oblinger.
Terry Wood,
vice chancellor for University Advancement, said, “The enduring
legacy of this endowment will help people remember what wonderful people
Lawrence and Ella are and his service across the university.” Apple
is also widely known for his work in international agricultural development.
A native of
Guilford County, he holds three N.C. State degrees: a 1949 bachelor’s
degree in agronomy, as well as a 1953 master’s and a 1955 Ph.D.
in plant pathology. He served as superintendent of the Lower Coastal
Plain Research Station in Greenville from 1949 to 1951. From 1955, he
served as an N.C. State faculty member in the Plant Pathology Department
and became professor of plant pathology and genetics in 1963. That same
year he was plant pathology adviser to the university’s mission
to Peru, laying a foundation for a research program that would deliver
sustainable solutions to world hunger. He served as chief-of-party of
that mission from 1965 to 1967.
In 1967 he
became assistant director of research and academic affairs in the College
of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and in 1976 he was named assistant
director for biological sciences and international programs at N.C.
State. He went on to serve as the College’s director of the Institute
of Biological Sciences and then as associate director of research and
international programs. He retired as the university’s international
programs coordinator in 1991.
Still professionally
active after retirement, Apple was elected secretary general of the
International Association for
the Plant Protection Sciences in 1999. He has been listed in Who’s
Who in the South and Southwest, American Men and Women of Science and
Personalities of the South.
At the endowment-signing
ceremony, Dr. James Moyer, head of the Plant Pathology Department, told
Apple, “Those who have worked with you closely know you were prominent
in the formation of the department in a critical time. Now your helping
in this way ensures your role will be remembered for years to come.”
Noting Apple’s
efforts, from development of the College’s plant pathology program
to support of NCSU Libraries to international activities, Moyer added,
“He’s always been there when needed.”
—Terri
Leith
