Two College of Agriculture and Life Sciences alumni were among 13 N.C. State University graduates honored as outstanding alumni at the university’s annual Distinguished Alumni Awards Luncheon on Oct. 26 at the McKimmon Center. At this event, each of the university’s 10 colleges recognized alumni for their career achievements and service to the university.

Chosen as Distinguished Alumni by the College were Dr. Durward F. Bateman and S. Lawrence Davenport.

Bateman of Raleigh, a 1956 College graduate, retired from N.C. State in 1997 after serving as dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences for 11 years. He has served as president of the American Phytopathological Society, Southern Association of Agricultural Scientists and N.C. Board of Agriculture and Farm Organizations. He has received the North Carolina Ambassador of Agriculture Award from the N.C. Department of Agriculture, the Lifetime Membership Award from the Turfgrass Council of North Carolina, and the Distinguished Service Award to Agriculture from the N.C. Farm Bureau.

Davenport of Greenville is a 1965 graduate of the College. He is president of J.P. Davenport and Son, Inc. and part-owner and secretary- treasurer of Pitt-Martin Fertilizer Co. and Roanoke-Tar Cotton Inc. He serves as chair of the Golden LEAF Foundation and is a member of the Board of Visitors at N.C. State. He has received the N.C. State Watauga Medal and has served as co-chair of N.C. State’s Century II Campaign. He has served as president of the N.C. Crop Protection Association and the N.C. Foundation Seed Producers, director of the Tobacco Grower’s Association of North Carolina, and as a member of the U.S. Advisory Commission for Tobacco Inspection.

Bateman and Davenport were also honored in November at a reception hosted by College Dean James L. Oblinger, as well as at Tailgate 2001.

—Terri Leith