Note to Editors: A photo of Larry Johnson is available by contacting Mary Lou Peter-Blecha at 785-532-1164 or mlpeter@ksu.edu.

Released: January 22, 2007

Lawrence Johnson Receives K-State Distinguished Service Award

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Lawrence A. Johnson, professor of food science and human nutrition at Iowa State University, has been named the recipient of the Kansas State University Distinguished Service in Agriculture Award for Teaching and Research.

He was honored at a ceremony and reception Jan. 19 at the K-State Alumni Center. While on campus, Johnson -- who is director of Iowa State’s Center for Crops Utilization Research (CCUR) -- presented a university-wide seminar: “Biorefineries – A Revolution in American Agriculture.” He also gave presentations to two grain science classes and met with K-State administrators and faculty.

“We are pleased to be able to honor Dr. Johnson, who has made significant contributions in the field of crops utilization for food, feed and industrial applications,” said Fred Cholick, dean of K-State’s College of Agriculture and director of K-State Research and Extension. “Dr. Johnson is also an extraordinary educator.”

ISU’s Center for Crops Utilization Research, established in 1987, is a multidisciplinary research, development, and technology-transfer program, focused on new processes, products, and markets for corn, soybeans and other Midwestern crops.

The CCUR explores new food, feed and non-food industrial uses with problem-oriented research directed at expanding Midwestern crop utilization.

“I nominated Dr. Johnson because of his success in building the Center for Crops Utilization Research in the mid to late1980s and for his success in teaching, research and leadership in renewable materials,” said Paul Seib, K-State professor of biochemistry in the grain science department.

Johnson earned a bachelor’s degree in food technology at The Ohio State University, a master’s degree in food science at North Carolina State University, and a Ph.D. in food science with an emphasis in grain science and engineering technology at K-State.

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K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.

Story by:
Mary Lou Peter-Blecha
mlpeter@oznet.ksu.edu
K-State Research& Extension News