Distinguished Alumni Award
Front Row (L to R): VP and Dean Bobby Moser, Charles Morr, Ted Flickinger and Dale Runnion
Back Row (L to R): Burk Dehority, Blannie Bowen, Ben Lamp and Russell Simmonds
Blannie E. Bowen
Ph.D. 1980
Agricultural Education
Blannie earned his B.S. and M.S. in Agricultural Education from North Carolina A&T State University before coming to Ohio State for his PhD. With areas of expertise in agricultural education, agricultural communication, distance education, and diversity in higher education, Blannie has cultivated a distinguished career as a professor, scholar, university administrator, and outstanding leader of his profession.
After graduating from Ohio State, Blannie began as Assistant Professor at Mississippi State University in the Department of Agricultural and Extension Education. Five years later, he returned to Ohio State as an Associate Professor in the Department of Agricultural Education. In 1988, Blannie left for The Pennsylvania State University where he was named the C. Lee Rumberger and Family Chair in Agriculture. Two years after arriving to Penn State, he was named Interim Head for the Department of Agriculture & Extension Education. He has also served as Associate Dean for Graduate Programs & Senior Faculty Mentor in the Center for Minority Graduate Opportunities & Faculty Development and Department Head of Agriculture & Extension Education. Since 2004, he has served as Vice Provost for Academic Affairs.
A member of the Albright-Bethune United Methodist Church, Blannie has served as editor of the newsletter since 1992 and has also served as an assistant lay leader and chair of the administrative council. Blannie also spent thirteen years coaching Little League and six years coaching YMCA Basketball.
Blannie and his wife, Cathy, live in State College, Pennsylvania and are the parents of Marcus and Douglas.
Burk A. Dehority
Ph.D. 1957
Agricultural Biochemistry
An expert in rumen and gastrointestinal microbiology, Burk has worked with scientists around the world to identify and study the microbes that live in herbivores. Through the course of his career he has described and named 21 new species and has had two species named after him. He has authored or co-authored 159 peer-reviewed journal articles, 10 book chapters, and two books. Burk has advised 14 master's degree students and 10 doctoral students while also attracting many postdoctoral and visiting scientists to his lab. He has also served on the editorial board for Applied and Environmental Microbiology.
After earning his BS in Chemistry from Blackburn College in 1952 and his MS in Biochemistry from the University of Maine in 1954, Burk came to Ohio State to complete his PhD in Agricultural Biochemistry (1957). After graduating from Ohio State, Burk served as an Assistant Professor at the University of Connecticut before returning to Ohio as an Assistant Professor at the Ohio Agricultural Experimentation Station in 1959. Burk advanced to Associate Professor in 1964 and in 1970 he joined the Ohio Agriculture Research and Development Center (OARDC) as a Professor.
Burk was a 2008 recipient of the OARDC's Distinguished Senior Faculty Research Award presented at their Annual Research Conference. He received the Department of Animal Sciences Research Award in 2000 and Ohio State's Gamma Sigma Delta Award in 1978.
Burk and his wife, Sandra, live in Wooster, Ohio and are the parents of Katherine, Christine, Sue Ellen, and Burk Joel.
Ted Flickinger
PhD 1976
Agricultural Education with an Emphasis in Natural Resource Management
Agricultural Education with an Emphasis in Natural Resource Management
Ted earned his B.S. and M.S. from Southern Illinois University in Recreation/Outdoor Education and Parks & Recreation Administration respectively. At Ohio State Ted earned his PhD in Agricultural Education with an emphasis in Natural Resource Management.
Following his graduation from Ohio State, Ted was named Director of Parks and Recreation in Bexley, Ohio. After five years, Ted returned to Ohio State; this time as a professor in the School of Natural Resources in the Division of Parks and Recreation with a research specialty in Park Crime and Law Enforcement. After a little over four years with Ohio State, he joined the National Recreation and Park Association, Great Lakes Division as Regional Director. Since 1980, Ted has served as the President/CEO of the Illinois Association of Park Districts, which represents more than 400 park districts, forest preserves, conservation, and recreation agencies throughout Illinois. He is the association's longest serving director and the only state association leader to become a Certified Association Executive.
A member of the Advisory Councils for Illinois State University and the University of Illinois, Ted has also served on the Illinois Arts Alliance Board of Directors and as a judge for the Governor's Certified Cities Program. He has also maintained professional memberships in the National Recreation and Park Association, the Illinois Society of Association Executives, the American Society of Association Executives, and the American Academy for Park & Recreation Administration. He has also served as president of the National Recreation and Park Association and the Illinois Society of Association Executives.
Ted and his wife, Judy, live in Springfield, Illinois and are the parents of Brett and Amy.
Benson J. Lamp
B.S. 1949, M.S. 1952
Agricultural Engineering
Benson earned his B.S. (1949) and M.S. (1952) from Ohio State and his PhD (1960) from Michigan State University in Agricultural Engineering. Currently president and general manager of BJM Company, Benson retired as a professor emeritus from Ohio State in 1992. He has remained active with the Department of Food, Agricultural, and Biological Engineering as a member of the Industry and Professional Advisory Committee. He also started a scholarship endowment in honor of his father and has worked to recruit other alumni to start scholarship endowments.
Employed at OSU's Agricultural Experiment Station, which later became the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center from 1949 to 1961 and 1987 to 1992, Benson conducted soybean harvesting research. Other research focused on farm safety, including the development of the slow-moving vehicle emblem and recognition of a design flaw in portable farm elevators. In 1961 Benson began his career in farm machinery with Massey-Ferguson. In 1967, he moved to the Tractor Division of Ford Motor Company. While at Ford he spent time in Brussels marketing tractors in Europe. He also travelled to China to cultivate business relationships. With Ford Aerospace, Benson played a part in the design and launch of the first satellite systems for India. He retired from Ford in 1987 after eleven years as vice-president of the tractor division.
A past president of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers, Benson is also a member of the National Academy of Engineers. Benson was a 2005 recipient of the College of Engineering Distinguished Alumni Award in Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering. A member of Alpha Gamma Rho, Benson was honored as a Brother of the Century at the 2004 Century of Progress Celebration. He was also inducted into the National Academy of Engineering in 1998, one of the highest professional distinctions that can be awarded to an engineer. In 1993, Benson received one of the highest individual honors offered by the American Society of Agricultural Engineers, the Cyrus McCormick - J.I. Case Gold Medal. In 1956, he was selected by his students to receive the Professor of the Year award.
Benson and his wife, Jane, live in Dublin, Ohio and are the parents of Elaine, Marlene, David, and Linda.
Charles V. Morr
B.S. 1952, M.S. 1955, PhD 1959
Dairy Technology
With a career built around research on the chemical and functional properties of milk and soy proteins, Charles worked to ensure the results of his research could be readily interpreted, published, presented at scientific meetings, and be put into practice. He has authored over one hundred published refereed journal articles, nineteen published review articles, fourteen book chapters, ninety-two published paper abstracts, and thirty-five invited non-refereed symposium papers.
After serving in the United States Navy, Charles earned his B.S., M.S. and PhD from Ohio State in Dairy Technology. While working on his degrees, he held positions with Sealtest Ice Cream Company, M&R Dietetic, and Borden Moores and Ross in Columbus, Ohio. Upon completion of his PhD Charles took a position as a research associate with Carnation Company in Van Nuys, California. Two years later he returned to Ohio State as an assistant professor in the Department of Dairy Technology. After three years, Charles left for a position at the University of Minnesota in the Department of Food Science & Nutrition. While at the University of Minnesota, he advanced from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor to Professor and during his last year he served as Faculty Convener for the merger of the Food Science and Food Nutrition programs.
In 1973, Charles became Director of Protein Research for the Ralston Purina Company in St. Louis, Missouri. After three years he returned to teaching with a professor and department chair position at Texas Tech University. Two years later Charles left Texas for Clemson University and the position of Stender Professor. From 1986 to 1989 he also served as Coordinator for the Interdepartmental Food Technology Doctoral Program. In 1990 he was named Professor Emeritus. Also in 1990, Charles returned to Ohio State as Professor and Haas Chair in Food Industries in the Department of Food Science and Technology.
A current member of the Institute of Food Technologists, Charles was elected Fellow in 1979. He was recognized by the Philadelphia Section of the organization in 1993 with the Award for Dedicated Service and Outstanding Contributions to Food Science and Technology. Over the years he has also been recognized by the American Oil Chemists' Society, the American Men & Women of Science, the American Institute of Chemists, the American Chemical Society, and the World Innovation Foundation. Charles was also presented with the Ashland high School Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2007.
Charles and his wife, Dorothy, live in Ashland, Ohio and are the parents of Douglas and Debra.
Dale F. Runnion
B.S. 1939
Animal Science
Born and raised on a general livestock farm near Van Wert, Ohio, Dale earned his B.S. in Animal Science from Ohio State. He was one of four children and the only son. He grew up participating in 4-H and was member of the 1934 Van Wert County Livestock Judging Team that won the state contest and a trip to the International Livestock Show. While a student at Ohio State, Dale worked in the Meats Laboratory. He was able to use money earned with that job combined with the money earned from his 4-H steer projects to get through college. He also participated in the Saddle and Sirloin Club, Alpha Zeta Fraternity, the 1973 Meats Judging Team, and the 1938 Livestock Team. He made Phi Eta Sigma, Freshman Honorary and Gamma Sigma Delta, Senior Honorary.
After graduation, Dale worked as a livestock buyer until he was called to the Army in 1941. Commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Medical Administration Corps, Dale served as Adjutant of the 1000 bed 232nd General Hospital through its training and service on Iowa Jima. He was awarded the Commendation Medal. In 1946 Dale was discharged with the rank of Major, MAC.
After World War II, Dale continued as a livestock buyer. He took a position as a fieldman for the Chicago Drovers Journal representing them in the east. In 1952 Dale took a position with the Angus Journal, where he stayed for sixteen years, working as fieldman, advertising manager, and general manager. In 1971, Dale founded Limousin Journal and ten years later founded Limousin World. Also in 1981, Dale took over as General Manager of the New Angus Journal. While working for these magazines, Dale also owner a five court hand ball facility, reprographics, and typesetting businesses. In 1987, Dale and his wife published the book The History of Limousin in North America - a 200 page record of the founding and growth of the breed in the United States and Canada.
Dale has maintained memberships in the American Angus Association, the North American Limousin Foundation, and the Livestock Publication Council, of which he was a founding member. He has also been involved with Rotary Clubs as his schedule permitted. Dale has received honors from the French Minister of Agriculture, the North American Limousin Foundation, the Livestock Publications Council, and Saddle and Sirloin. His portrait also hangs in the Ohio State Animal Science Hall of Fame.
Dale and his wife, June, live in Longmont, Colorado and are the parents of James, Joyce Lynn, Gay Lee, John Jay, Steven, and Karen.
Russell Simmonds
B.S. 1968
Agricultural Economics
Russ earned his B.S. Agricultural Economics and MBA from Ohio State. After earning his MBA he began his career with Proctor & Gamble. While with Proctor & Gamble, Russ worked as a cost analyst for the Pringles Food Division, a Food Division Profit Forecaster, Supervisor of Packaged Soap Financial Analysis, Supervisor of Packaged Soap Financial Analysis, Supervisor of Canada and Asia Financial Analysis, Plant Comptroller of Albany Georgia Paper Products Plant, and Finance Manager for the Dallas, Texas Regional Sales Office.
After leaving Proctor & Gamble, Russ began a career as a CPA. Self-employed, he primarily does contract work for corporations. He provides assistance with finance, accounting, special projects, and taxation. Russ has also works as the state appointed financial guardian for several elderly individuals.
Deeply involved in his community, Russ has served as a youth group advisor, Junior Achievement advisor, and tutor for students in grade school and high school. He is also active in events to raise scholarship funds for college bound students. He is a member of the Disaster Emergency Response Team, which aids in disaster recovery from events such as hurricanes, floods, and wild fires. Other organizations that have benefitted from Russ's assistance include House on the Corner, a church based group that builds houses for families needing assistance, Project Hope, a group that provides counseling and support for people focused on improving their job and life skills, and the numerous church and civic groups for which he has served as treasurer.
Russ and his wife, Brenda, live in Plano, Texas.
