Entomology at the Land
Grant University: Perspectives from the Texas A&M University Department
Centenary
Kevin M.
Heinz, Raymond E. Frisbie, and Carlos E. Bogran, Eds.
Texas A&M
University Press, College Station
2005; 341
pp.
Price:
$45.00
ISBN:
I-58544-432-4
During
1999, a series of symposia on a variety of entomological topics were
organized as part of the Texas A&M University Department of Entomology’s
centennial celebration. This edited volume of 24 contributed chapters
from symposia speakers is one outcome of the department’s centenary
program. The topics range from institutional considerations of the
directions and future of entomology departments at land-grant
universities to the scientific, economic, and social importance of the
study of insects. This volume is organized around seven themes for
entomology and entomology departments: the land-grant university’s
mission; the multiple roles of entomology departments; development and
delivery of science-based knowledge to the public; technology transfer,
pest management research and the advancement of science; entomological
science for society; global issues in entomology; and the future of
entomological research.
Entomology
departments in the United States face many issues, shared by all
academic units or disciplines within land-grant universities, i.e.,
undergraduate and graduate education, responsibility and responsiveness
to the citizens of their state, and maintaining balanced, innovative,
and productive research programs. Several chapters of this book focus
on the need for entomology departments to remain relevant within
changing and evolving university environments. One of the key messages
is that, just like the organisms we study, departments must adapt in
response to scientific, societal, and institutional forces.
A second
key message is that change is critical if successful departments of
entomology are to continue contributing to the mission of the land grant
university. As has been pointed out by Parrella et al. (1998), program
diversity is a strength of entomology departments because it provides
multiple opportunities to contribute to the mission of a land-grant
university.
In the
first two sections of this volume, six chapters from senior
well-established entomologists who serve as administrators at
institutions with strong, vibrant departments of entomology (University
of California, University of Florida, Cornell University, and Texas A&M
University) provide a wealth of experience and perspectives on the
history and changing role of entomology departments. Part three of this
volume presents four chapters focused on extension and the delivery of
entomological information to the public. Well-known extension
entomologists from California, New York, and Texas give perspectives on
this vital function of entomology programs. The final four sections,
give an overview of some of the major scientific disciplines in which
entomology has made and will continue to make significant
contributions. Experts in each discipline have written concise topical
overviews that include selected key references.
This
volume, highlighting the centennial celebration of the Department of
Entomology at Texas A&M University, is broader in its scope compared
with previous symposia volumes published to mark 100 years of entomology
at institutions within the United States (e.g., Pimentel 1974). The
publication from Texas A&M offers many insights into the importance of
the field of entomology, from scientific and institutional perspectives.
References Cited
Parrella, M.P., J. Granett, S.S. Duffey, & D.D. Kitterman. 1998.
Exploiting the “Entomology Advantage”. Am. Entomol. 44: 198–201.
Pimentel, D. (Ed). 1974.
Insects, Science and Society, Proceedings of a Symposium, Cornell
University, October 14–15, 1974. Academic Press, New York.
John J.
Obrycki
Department of Entomology
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 40546-0091
john.obrycki@uky.edu
American Entomology
Vol. 53, No. 2, Summer 2007
