Plant genetics researcher to receive Purdue’s highest honor
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Purdue University President Mung Chiang is set to present the university’s highest honor next week to Professor Gebisa Ejeta for his efforts to end hunger in Africa.
The Order of the Griffin “recognizes outstanding service to Purdue by men and women whose commitment has gone beyond the call of duty and greatly benefited the university.”
Ejeta is a presidential fellow for food security and sustainable global development and distinguished professor of agronomy at Purdue. His research has focused on plant genetics and, specifically, on the ancient grain sorghum, an important cereal crop and how it can be improved for food and feed.”
His research earned him the World Food Prize in 2009 and the National Medal of Science last fall.
Chiang will present the Order of the Griffin on April 1 during a program titled, “Transforming African Food Systems in the 21st Century.” He said in a news release that Ejeta personifies excellence at scale both on the West Lafayette campus and around the world.
“His story is one of perseverance and resilience—a role model for all Boilermakers. He came to America from a small rural community in west-central Ethiopia to study at Purdue, earning his master’s degree and PhD in plant breeding and genetics,” Chiang said. “Joining our faculty in the College of Agriculture, he became a pioneering researcher in food security. He is emblematic of what the Order of the Griffin signifies, and I am delighted to present him with our university’s highest honor.”
The April 1 event begins at 3 p.m. in the Stewart Center on Purdue’s campus and is open to the public. A reception will follow at 5 p.m.