Penn State Turfgrass Science Student Wins Watson Scholarship

Posted by Andy McNitt

Mr. Nicholas Gialloreto (Senior Turfgrass Science) was presented with the prestigious Watson undergraduate scholarship at the Sports Turf Manager's Conference in San Jose, CA.  Nick has extensive experience in the turfgrass industry. He started out in Golf Turf but has since made the switch to athletic field management and has worked for both the single A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates and interned at PNC Park home of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Nick is currently Penn State's turf club president and will be interning with the Pittsburgh Steelers this season.

The Watson Scholarship is the highest undergraduate scholarship offered by the Sports Turf Manager's Association and is named for the first Ph.D. in Turfgrass Science, Dr. James Watson who received his Ph.D. from Penn State in 1950.

Turfgrass Science Student Wins GCSAA Essay Contest

Posted by Andy McNitt

Mark Brotherton won the 2008 Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) Student Essay Contest. Mark is from Oak Ridge, N.J. and was a fourth-year undergraduate student at Penn State University when the award was granted. Mark won the first place scholarship of $2,000 for his essay: "How Well Do You Know Your Topdressing Sand?"

Joe Duich Named Penn State Distinguished Alumnus

By Kendra Confer, PSU Ag Science News
UNIVERSITY PARK -- Joseph M. Duich, professor emeritus of turfgrass science in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, was recently selected by the university's board of trustees to receive the 2008 Distinguished Alumni Award, the university's highest award for an individual.

As a faculty member in agronomy at Penn State from 1955 to 1991, Duich developed turfgrass species for use on golf courses and athletic fields. While in graduate school, he worked with his advisor, H.B. Musser, on the development of Penncross bentgrass, which was released in 1954. Today Penncross is the most widely used bentgrass on golf courses around the world.

Among other Penn turf varieties that Duich developed are Pennfine perennial ryegrass, Pennstar Kentucky bluegrass, Pennlinks, Penneagle, six Penn A and G series bentgrasses, and Seaside II.

Duich donated his patent royalties from the sale of these turfgrass varieties to Penn State, which established an endowment in his name. Today, the Joseph M. Duich Turfgrass Endowment stands at nearly $2.5 million, interest income from which is the major source of support for Penn State's Joseph Valentine Turfgrass Research Center, which Duich helped establish.

Throughout his 36 years teaching at Penn State, Duich taught eight turf courses, mentored 21 master's and doctoral students, and formed the Musser International Turfgrass Foundation in honor of his mentor. This foundation annually presents its Award of Excellence and $20,000 to a qualified doctoral candidate to help pay for the student's continued study in turfgrass science.

In addition to breeding turfgrass, Duich is credited with writing more than 100 technical publications on topics such as turfgrass weed and disease control, nitrogen fertilization, putting-green speed management, species competition, renovation, soil modification and seed priming.

Duich has been honored with 15 awards for his dedication to the science and business of agronomy. In recognition of his lifelong devotion to improving the game of golf by breeding new turfgrasses, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America selected Duich to receive the 2006 Old Tom Morris Award - its most prestigious honor.

Duich grew up in Farrell and Hickory Township, Pa. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1946 to 1948 before earning a bachelor's degree in agronomy in 1952 and a doctorate in agronomy in 1957, both from Penn State. He retired from teaching at Penn State in 1991 but continues his work as a turfgrass consultant and scientist. Duich and his wife, Patricia, who live in State College, Pa., have three children.

Students Win Turf Bowl Competition

First place 4-year team from left to right: Matt Elmore, Nick Gialolreto, Tanner Devalle, and Nick Leviere.

At this year's National Sports Turf Manager's Associations National Conference in San Jose, CA all three of Penn State's Competitive Student Teams placed in their divisions. One four-year turfgrass science team placed first and a second placed third out about 30 competing teams from Universities across the country in a written exam covering sports turf management topics as well as plant, insect, and disease ID.

In the Two-Year division out Penn State team placed second out of 15 teams competing. All team participants were in their second year of Penn State's Two Year Turfgrass Certificate Program. The awards are currently on display in The Hamilton Turf Club Room in ASI.

All three teams and awards: Front Row (left to right) Josh Kravik, Matthew Elmore, Drew Barnett, Brandon Crim, Nicholas Gialloreto, Back row: Kyle Hivner, Dina Avvakumova, Dustin LeVan, Ryan Golay, Jasmine Steinke, Nicholas LeViere, Tanner DelValle.

Penn State Students site seeing in San Francisco.

Faculty advisor Andy McNitt points out that "Matt Naedel should be commended for his hard work and focus on the quality training these students received. Matt sets the tone and the students have obviously responded." This is the first time in the history of the competition that a University has successfully defended their title. Last year Penn State took first in both the four-year and two-year divisions and the only University to place each year of the competition. The Students would like to thank Keystone Athletic Field Manager's Association and TORO for their financial assistance in attending the conference. The students would also like to thank those who took the time to help with evening training sessions including: Dr. Andrew McNitt (faculty advisor), Dr. Peter Landschoot, Dr. Max Schlossberg, Dr. Al Jarret, Ms. Dianne Petrunak, Mr. Steve LeGros, Mr. Jeff Borger, Mr. Dave Livingston, and Mr. Jeff Fowler.

For the STMA newsrelease click here.

Posted by Andy McNitt