East Dundee, IL-Dr. Harry Niemczyk, Emeritus Professor Turfgrass Entomology at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, The Ohio State University, Wooster, Ohio, was the proud recipient of the Turfgrass Producers International (TPI) Honorary Member Award.
TPI Past President. Louis Brooking, Jr., owner of Brookmeade Sod Farm in Doswell, VA presented the award to Niemczyk during the association’s annual awards banquet at SeaWorld of Florida on February 7, 2008.
During his opening remarks, Brooking reflected on Niemczyk’s career and dedication to serving the turfgrass industry stating, “Dr. Harry Niemczyk is Emeritus Professor Turfgrass Entomology at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, The Ohio State University, Wooster, Ohio. He has been a member of the faculty since 1964. His research on behavior and mobility of pesticides in turf and the biology, ecology, and control of insects and other arthropods in turfgrass has been published in scientific journals and frequently in trade publications. His own book, “Destructive Turf Insects” which he collaborated with Dr. David Shetler, continues to be a practical guide serving turfgrass producers, sports field managers, lawn service operators, golf course superintendents and students. He is a private consultant to the turfgrass management industry, and has developed training and insect control programs for lawn care firms, turfgrass sod farms and golf courses”.
Brooking went on to add, “Dr. Harry Niemczyk has been the proud recipient of the Professional Excellence, Man-of-the-Year, and Lifetime Membership awards from the Ohio Turfgrass Foundation; he is involved in numerous associations in addition to TPI, and he is an active participant on The Lawn Institute Research Committee. I can’t recall a TPI Conference or Convention where Dr. Harry Niemczyk wasn’t present. It should also be pointed out that TPI’s Honorary Membership Award was established in 1973 to recognize an individual who has contributed to the research, planting, growing and marketing of turfgrass sod. In TPI’s 40 year history, only 24 individuals have been designated Honorary Members.
Doguet receives TPI Distinguished Service Award
David Doguet, President of Bladerunner Farms in Poteet, Texas was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award. TPI Past President, Arthur Milberger of King Ranch Turfgrass, Bay City, Texas presented the award to Doguet on behalf of the Board of Trustees and the entire membership.
The Distinguished Service Award was established to recognize an individual who has provided outstanding devotion of time, talent and energy to TPI, its programs and objectives for five or more years.
In presenting the award, Milberger acknowledged many of Doguet’s accomplishments including his active participation in the association for more than twenty years; having served on the Board for seven years including all officer positions; serving as TPI’s President in 97-98; chairing TPI’s Public Relations Working Group for more than a decade and having served as the host of two conventions at his farms. Milberger went on to add, “Under David’s supervision and management, Bladerunner Farms now owns one of the largest collections of warm season grasses in the United States and licenses growers to produce and market these grasses in different areas of the country. For those of you who know David, or have worked with him, you’ve seen first hand how dedicated and committed he is to our industry and our association. It is with a great deal of honor that I present TPI’s Distinguished Service Award to David Doguet of Bladerunner Farms for this dedication, commitment and contribution to TPI and the industry he so proudly represents.”