James McCurdy, Ph.D., assistant professor and turfgrass extension specialist at Mississippi State University, is the winner of the 2014 Award of Excellence by the Musser International Turfgrass Foundation. The award is given to an outstanding Ph.D. candidate who demonstrates excellence in a doctoral program in turfgrass research. McCurdy received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee, Martin, a master’s degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and a doctoral degree from Auburn University. He wrote his doctoral dissertation on the effects and sustainability of legume inclusion within warm-season turf swards.