MSU CANR names Buhler 2018 honorary alumnus
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EmailThe College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) at Michigan State University is honoring six leaders in agriculture and natural resources for their community, state and national leadership.
EAST LANSING, MI — The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) at Michigan State University is honoring six leaders in agriculture and natural resources for their community, state and national leadership. The awards will be presented on March 9 during the annual ANR Week luncheon at the Huntington Club at Spartan Stadium.
Douglas D. Buhler, Ph.D., will receive an Honorary Alumnus Award.
Buhler is the director of MSU AgBioResearch and the assistant vice president of research and graduate studies at MSU. He leads more than 350 researchers from seven MSU colleges, oversees a network of 13 research centers across the state and administers an annual budget of $130 million.
He joined Michigan State University as professor and chair of the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences. From 2005 to 2010 he was associate director of MSU AgBioResearch and CANR associate dean for research. Buhler also served as interim dean of the college from 2011 to 2013 and again in 2016.
According to Phillip Korson, who supported Buhler’s nomination, Buhler has been “a fearless leader who has believed strongly in building a better partnership with Michigan State University and a better future for Michigan farms.” Korson is executive director of the Michigan Cherry Committee and president of the Cherry Marketing Institute.
Through his support of faculty and investment in infrastructure, Buhler has expanded the research portfolio of AgBioResearch and its outside funding ($92 million in 2015-16). During the same period, MSU ranked first in the nation in funding from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Buhler has also been instrumental in the success of ongoing partnerships with the private sector and state government, such as Project GREEEN. The program is an alliance between commodity groups, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, MSU AgBioResearch and MSU Extension that seeks to address pressing issues in Michigan agriculture.
Throughout his tenure, Buhler has expanded global partnerships and supported faculty in international research and outreach. His professional activities have generated more than 330 publications, including 130 refereed journal and review articles. He has also presented over 100 invited seminars, symposia, workshops and traveled extensively to build relationships with global partners.
Buhler serves on many boards and advisory panels, including the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research, the Center for Food Integrity, the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Commission and the Michigan Crop Improvement Association.
Buhler’s innovative, transparent and collaborative leadership has increased the college’s ability to lead efforts in research and outreach on state, national and global agricultural issues.
The Honorary Alumnus Award honors a person who has provided a distinctive contribution to the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources on a state, national or international level; and has relieved the suffering of disadvantaged people; or has contributed to any unique program that benefits humankind.
