The “insect-hunting sweetheart” of the IAA
Image Credit: Edwin Remsberg
1. If you could be any insect, what would you be and why?
Any of the beetles (Coleoptera) would be a good insect for me to be. As a group they have a hard exoskeleton that allows them to be resilient and generally they fly well and run fast. Great attributes to have to stay out of trouble at the IAA!
2. What is your favorite insect?
The Assassin Bug! It has such a nice ring to it!
3. What do you love about turfgrass?
I don’t love turfgrass however I enjoy learning as much as I can about management practices that may range from turfgrass IPM to turfgrass fertilization programs that enhance turfgrass health and aesthetics.
4. Why did you choose teaching?
A long, long time ago I received a phone call from Dr. Seibel and he wanted to know if I was interested in teaching at the IAA. At the time I was working in the turfgrass industry and I had always wanted to go back to school and work on my Ph. D. I agreed to teach at the IAA and also work on my advanced degree in the Department of Entomology. Since research work never goes the way you think, it took me a longer time period to complete my degree requirements. It was during this period, 1980-1988, that I also began to get more involved in developing the teaching program at the IAA. It has been extremely rewarding for me to see how strong the program has become and how our students have moved into management and leadership positions in the turf and landscape industries.
5. What’s been your favorite class to teach?
My favorite class! I have enjoyed all of them but my Insect Class would rate at the top. It is amazing how I and the students can inject humor in this area of study. I will never forget the creative insect collections that have been submitted to me. Even our office staff, Carole Dingess, submitted an insect collection! And let’s not forget how Sheila Brown, a former secretary, and our Director, Glori Hyman, kidnapped a number of my insects and left a $1,000,000 ransom note!!!!
6. How did you acquire the moniker “the Good Doctor”?
I believe a student was trying to get extra credit and thus the term “the Good Doctor” was born.
7. If you had a day off and could do anything, what would you do and why?
If I had a day off! Sure!!!! When I retire I will get up at the crack of dawn and go fishing for small mouth bass in the Potomac and then proceed to the nearest golf course and play 18 holes. After that I would catch a Nationals (Go Nats) game.
8. What has been your favorite moment at the IAA?
The practical joke that we played on Glori Hyman before she became the IAA Director! Gary Johnson, Ted Street, and myself decided to tie cans on the rear end of Glori’s car before she left to go home. I can remember all of us looking out the window when she started to leave. We saw her stop and get out of the car, realize she could not untie them, and then proceeded to travel 60 plus miles on Interstate 95 and acknowledging all kinds of expressions from her fellow motorist. This is possibly why I have not received a pay increase over the last several years!!!!
9. What’s the craziest story you have from teaching?
A student rigged his collection to trigger a loud explosive sound that brought everyone in Jull Hall to my room. As I opened the top of the collection cover a little further I saw that the student had collected an assassin bug and placed a very small toy-like revolver next to the assassin bug with this note. Gotcha!
10. What do you look forward to most during turf bowl and sports turf competitions?
The nervousness of the students before the competition starts and then to see their expressions when the Maryland team/s are announced as one of the top teams in the competition.
