In addition to the regularly scheduled seminars during each semester, the Department sponsors three special seminar or lecture programs.
Mike Duke Memorial Seminar
Entomology graduate students sponsor a special annual seminar, the Mike Duke Memorial Seminar, typically during the spring semester. This seminar series was established in 1988 in honor of Michael E. Duke, a graduate student in entomology who died tragically shortly after he received his master's degree from NCSU. This seminar series serves as a focal point with which we honor not only the contributions of graduate students to entomology but also as a reminder of the potential for excellence that exists within every individual. Each year the graduate students in the department invite a distinguished speaker who has made substantial achievements and represents the standards of excellence. As hosts of the speaker, students have the opportunity to interact with and learn from an outstanding scientist. This interaction allows students to gain insight into their own research and offers a model with which to base their own future careers in entomology. The Mike Duke Seminar is therefore an event to commemorate excellence that is already present and excellence that is yet to come. Past Speakers:

• 2009: Justin O. Schmidt, Carl Hayden Bee Lab. Ret.
• 2007: John Acorn, The Nature Nut
• 2006: Dr. Neil Tsutsui. University of California - Irvine
• 2005: Dr. Doug Landis, Michigan State University
• 2004: Dr. Bill Conner, Wake Forest University
• 2003: Dr. Jane Mainschein, Arizona State University
• 2002: Dr. Wade Worthen, Furman University
• 2001: Dr. Bill Shear, Hampden-Sydney College
• 2000: Dr. Ken Raffa, University of Wisconsin-Madison
• 1999: Dr. Lawrence I. Gilbert , UNC-Chapel Hill
• 1998: Dr. Randy Gaugler , Rutgers University
• 1997: Dr. Marjorie A. Hoy, University of Florida
• 1996: Dr. Fred Nijhout, Duke University
• 1995: Dr. Wendell Roelofs, Cornell University
• 1994: Dr. Mark Rausher, Duke University
• 1993: Dr. Lee Goff, University of Hawaii-Manoa
• 1992: Dr. Randall Beer, Case Western University
• 1991: Dr. Rick Roush, Cornell University
• 1990: Dr. Murray Blum, University of Georgia
• 1989: Dr. Donald Herzog, University of Florida
• 1988: Dr. May Berenbaum, University of Illinois

Vince Parman Memorial Lecture Series This lecture series was established in memory of Vince Parman, a graduate student who passed away in 2007 while in the final stages of completing his Ph.D. degree in Entomology at NC State. Vince had a B.S. and M.S. in Entomology from Purdue University. He spent 26 years in pest management research and development. At the time of his death, Vince was Senior Research Scientist in Field Research and Development with Bayer Environmental Sciences, where he provided development and technical support in the area of urban pest management. To pursue his life-long passion for entomology and to deliver ever stronger scientific support for the pest management industry, Vince entered the Ph.D. program in Entomology in 2001. The many important results he generated during his doctoral research will continue to impact both the scientific and pest management communities for years to come. Bayer Environmental Sciences has generously sponsored this annual lecture series to honor Vince's memory and to inspire future generations of urban entomologists committed to scientifically sound urban pest management. Speakers:

• 2009: Dr. Nan Yao-Su, University of Florida (Ft. Lauderdale)
• 2008: Dr. Michael Rust. University of California - Riverside