An entomologist, a plant pathologist, an economist and a sociologist are the newest William Neal Reynolds Professors in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at N.C. State University.

The William Neal Reynolds Professorship is one of the highest distinctions available to N.C. State faculty members.

The four newest Reynolds professors are Dr. Rick Brandenburg, professor of entomology and a North Carolina Cooperative Extension entomologist; Dr. Margaret Daub, professor and head, Department of Plant Biology; Dr. Walter Thurman, professor of agricultural and resource economics; and Dr. Michael Schulman, professor of sociology and anthropology and a nationally and internationally known rural sociologist.

The Reynolds Professorships were established in 1950 by William Neal Reynolds, long-time president and board chairman of the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., to recognize and support outstanding faculty achievement in research, teaching and extension. According to the endowment agreement, the professorships "will be for the purpose of selecting and retaining in the College's faculty and staff - great scholars, great teachers, great scientists and great interpreters."

Since then, N.C. State and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences have awarded 72 William Neal Reynolds Professorships, including this year's four.

- Dave Caldwell