This is the Alumni Awards and Honors page for the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at NC State University

In Fall of 2005, The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences initiated recognition of an Outstanding Alumnus Award for each department in CALS. This coincided nicely with the BAE department’s plan to recognize Outstanding Alumnus. The recipient must have received a degree from the BAE department. Nominees should have a record of service to their community, industry, and/or to NC State and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

If you would like to nominate someone for the 2008 award, please submit a nomination letter to the Department Head. Request for nominations are due April 15th. each year. The nomination letter should explain why the nominee deserves the award. The award recipient will be recognized in Fall of each year.

2007 Recipient

Biographical

Dr. Larry Sykes

Dr. Larry Sykes has been named the 2007 BAE Outstanding Alumnus. Dr. Sykes, a native of Franklin County in North Carolina, received three degrees from the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department at North Carolina State University: a BS in 1966, a MS in 1968, and a PhD in 1971.

Following the completion of his PhD in 1971, Dr. Sykes took a job with Philip Morris in Richmond, VA where he remained in various positions until his retirement in early 2004. He retired as Director, Agricultural Programs in the Leaf Department. In this capacity, he directed and initiated liaison for Philip Morris with the United States tobacco production industry concerning tobacco production technology; tobacco production policy; and public issues. Tobacco production activities included responsibility for a Philip Morris grants program in support of research, extension and academic programs at seven land-grant universities in the southeastern United States, including North Carolina State University. This grants program required communications with project leaders, department heads, directors, deans and vice presidents in administering a program in excess of $1 million annually. 

Dr. Sykes has been very instrumental in making Philip Morris, USA the single largest corporate donor to NC State University. They contribute more than $600,000 annually to support the tobacco program at NC State including the Philip Morris Ag Leadership Program for young farmers, the Philip Morris Professorship Endowment supporting outstanding Extension Professors, the Philip Morris Agricultural Institute and Education Scholarships and the Philip Morris Extension Interns and Fellows program. In 2003, Philip Morris announced a major grant of $18 million to NC State for a project to map the tobacco genome.

Dr. Larry Sykes has served as President of the North Carolina Tobacco Foundation, Inc., where he has served as Chairman of the Investment Committee, and has also served as a member of the Board of Directors of the NC State University Alumni Association and the CALS Capital Campaign. He was honored with Alumni Membership in Gamma Sigma Delta, the Honor Society of Agriculture. In 2004 he received a CALS Outstanding Alumnus Award.
Since 1999, Dr. Sykes has served as an Adjunct Professor in the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department and has consulted regularly with faculty within the department concerning research and extension activities with particular emphasis on tobacco programs. He has also made important contributions to this department through a three year term of service on our Advisory Board beginning in 2003.Larry and Rita have endowed the Larry M. and Rita P. Sykes Scholarship to benefit students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at North Carolina State University with priority given to those applicants from County.

2006 Recipient

Biographical

Elijah J. Tyson

Elijah J. (Jim) Tyson was selected the 2006 BAE Outstanding Alumnus Award recipient. Dr. Young officiated at the September reception held at Weaver Labs. Many folks were on hand to recognize Tyson's contributions to the BAE Department, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 4-H, and NC State University in general. Tyson then attended a second reception which honored all the CALS department recipients. Tyson received plaques from CALS and BAE.
Tyson is a native of Union County, North Carolina. He attended NC State from 1953 until 1958 and graduated with a BS of Biological and Agricultural Engineering. He is a veteran of the Korean Conflict and spent his entire professional career (1958-1989) working for the Duke Power Company of Charlotte, NC, retiring as manager of the agricultural engineering division. A leader in the electric power industry he has effectively advanced the area of electrical application for agricultural production. Tyson has been a leader in the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE), serving at the state and national levels. He contributed to committees and served in leadership roles, like chair of the NC Section. In 1987, he was named an ASABE “Fellow” an honor bestowed on few.

Jim is a significant supporter of NCSU and CALS and of youth programs, continuing his involvement in the 4-H Foundation and statewide 4-H activities. He was instrumental in starting BAE’s Student Activities Endowment Fund, and set-up the Elijah J. Tyson Scholarship Endowment Fund, and has designated a remainder trust for scholarship fund.

Jim’s name is etched on a plaque hanging in Weaver Labs that honors all BAE’s named outstanding alumni.

2005 Recipient

Biographical

First recipient of a newly established Outstanding Alumni Award

George Blum

George Blum received his NCSU B.S. (1949) and MAE (1956)
and started working for the Department in Jan.1950- June1991 (41.5 yr.), 22 years as Undergraduate Teaching Coordinator.

Professor Blum is the most outstanding teacher and advisor in the history of the department, and was advisor to over 1900 students. He worked in the department for 41.5 years and was the Undergraduate Teaching Coordinator for 22 years. He was recognized with several outstanding teaching and outstanding advisor awards (see list of awards), including awards from CALS, COE, NC State University, NACTA and American Society of Agricultural Engineers (ASAE). Other special honors from students and former students were the dedication of the 1977 National Student Journal of ASAE to Professor Blum, and the establishment of a scholarship in BAE in his honor (Barbara and George Blum Scholarship).

Supporting statements from students for his nomination to various awards included recognition of traits like: sincerity, genuine concern, friendliness, professionalism, patient counsel, and motivational skills. Professor Blum had a very positive impact on many students as a teacher and advisor. You cannot find a better role model for teacher and advisor to students, as well as friend to other faculty and staff, and true promoter of the BAE department, CALS, and NC State University.

Elected to three three-year terms in the Academy of Outstanding Teachers (1969-71, 1975-77, 1979-81)
Honored by Dedication of the National Student Journal of ASAE (1977)
Elected Alumni Distinguished Professor for three years (1984-1987)
First Annual NACTA Merit Award for Teaching, CALS (1984)
Received NACTA Teacher Fellow Award (1987)
Received CALS Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award (1989-90)
Received College of Engineering “George H. Blessis Outstanding Undergraduate Advisor Award (1989-90). “Given in Recognition of Efforts in Advising, Counseling and Mentoring Students and for Helping Establish the Reputation of NCSU as a Major University”
Received national ASAE Massey-Ferguson Educational Award (1992)
Elected to membership in Alpha Zeta (1968)
Elected to member of Golden Chain (1969)
Elected to membership in Alpha Epsilon (1970)
Elected to Honorary FFA State Farmer (1972)
Served two terms as CALS representative to the Faculty Senate
Scholarship established in BAE department in his honor (Barbara and George Blum Scholarship).