Memorials

Gary A. Herzog

The Junior Research Scientist Award is presented in memory of Gary A. Herzog (1947-2001).

Gary Herzog portrait

Dr. Herzog began his career as a Research Cotton Entomologist at the University of Georgia in 1977.

Gary received his B.S. degree at Texas Tech and then served two years in the army before entering Graduate School at the University of Arkansas.

During his tenure at Tifton, Gary presented 129 scientific papers, 57 invitational papers, and assisted with 144 in-service training sessions. He held 69 national or regional offices during his career, plus served as Chairman of the Cotton Insect Research and Control Conference for 10 years. Gary also served as President of the Southeastern Branch of the ESA and was on the Governing Board of the ESA. Dr. Herzog published 37 refereed scientific papers, including 7 book chapters. He also produced 64 abstracts and proceedings, 153 Experiment Station and Extension Publications, and numerous popular press articles.

While at UGA, Dr. Herzog received approximately 3.1 million dollars in grant funds due to his national and international reputation. A new research farm was purchased for the UGA Tifton Campus in the mid-1990's from Dr. Herzog's grant funds.

Gary Herzog loved farming. His greatest joy was driving a tractor and being in the field. His academic achievements were many, although he would consider his greatest achievement to have been providing useful information to the cotton farmer.

Dr. Herzog died of cancer in 2001. But a UGA endowment ensures his work continues. The Gary A. Herzog Fellowship Fund for Applied Research in Cotton Agroecosystems provides academic support to UGA graduate students working to find real-world solutions to problems facing the cotton industry in Georgia and the U.S. today.


Michael J. Bader

The Junior Extension Scientist Award is presented in memory of Michael J. Bader (1952-2002).

Michael J. Bader portraitMike Bader was an Extension Engineer with the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department at the University of Georgia Rural Development Center in Tifton, Georgia.

A 1970 graduate of Dexter Mo. High School, Dr. Bader received a bachelor's degree in agricultural engineering in 1974, his master's degree in agricultural engineering in 1982 from the University of Missouri. He received his Ph.D. in agricultural engineering at the University of Kentucky in 1989.

Dr. Bader joined the University of Georgia in 1989 to provide educational support to the peanut industry. Later, he assumed duties in both cotton and peanuts, and in 1997 was asked to devote his full efforts toward engineering issues in cotton.

Mike was a humble, quiet man with incredible technical skill. With his vast practical knowledge and willingness to help, he supported the entire UGA and USDA cotton efforts in Tifton and across Georgia. He was the consummate team player. His common sense and sense of decency provided stability and direction for us all.

Dr. Bader passed away in June 2002 after an extended battle with cancer. The Dr. Mike Bader Memorial Scholarship was established for undergraduate students working at the UGA Tifton Campus and enrolled full-time at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.