Department of Plant Pathology
1880s
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1888
Michael Gerald McCarthy becomes Station Botanist at North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station
McCarthy conducted first experiments in plant pathology at the North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station.
1890s
- 1896 The Department of Horticulture, Arboriculture, and Botany moved to the newly constructed Primrose Hall
1900s
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1901
Biological Division created
The Biological Division is created, with coursework devoted entirely to plant pathology.
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1903
Frank L. Stevens teaches first course in plant pathology
Dr. Frank L. Stevens, an instructor in the Biology department, taught the first course devoted exclusively to plant diseases.
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September 1903
Granville Wilt
Dr. Frank L. Stevens published the first North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station bulletin describing tobacco plant disease Granville wilt.
1910s
- 1917 R.A. Jehle becomes extension plant pathologist
1920s
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1920 (circa)
Plant pathology curriculum established
Plant pathology curriculum taught within the Department of Botany
1930s
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1930
Genetics curriculum established
Genetics curriculum taught as a component of coursework in Agronomy, Zoology, and Plant Pathology departments.
1940s
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1945
Department of Botany and Plant Pathology established
A Plant Pathology section is created within the School of Agriculture, and a new Department of Botany and Plant Pathology is also created.
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1945
J.H. Jensen becomes head of the Plant Pathology section
Jensen established the Pesticide School in 1949, bringing together representatives of agricultural chemicals industry and research and extension workers.
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1945
Release of Oxford 26
Plant Pathology graduate Thomas E. Smith and E.E. Clayton of the North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station release Oxford 26, the first commercial variety of tobacco with resistance to Granville wilt bacterium.
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1948
C.J. Nusbaum appointed Acting Head of Plant Pathology section while Dr. Jensen served on Atomic Energy Commission
In 1948 J.H. Jensen took a year of absence to conduct a special research project for the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, examining the use of atomic energy in biology and agriculture and in the effects of radiation upon plants and animals. C.J. Nusbaum stepped in as Acting Head of Plant Pathology section in his absence.
1950s
- 1950 Department of Botany and Plant Pathology moves to Gardner Hall
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1950
Division of Biological Sciences
Division of Biological Sciences created; plant pathology comprises the largest of five units.
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1951
Plant Disease Clinic established
Plant Disease Clinic established in the Department of Plant Pathology as a diagnostic clinic for farmers and gardeners in North Carolina, processing plant specimens sent by mail or in person for immediate disease control recommendations. In 1970 it broadened to become the Plant Disease and Insect Clinic after bringing on scientists from the Department of Entomology.
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1953
Joseph N. Sasser joins faculty
Dr. J.N. Sasser, a Plant Pathology Ph.D. graduate from NC State, joined the faculty in plant pathology in 1953 as a researcher in nematology. His research contributed to the reputation of the NC State Plant Pathology Department as an international center for graduate education and research in nematology.
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1953
Nematode Assay Service
C.J. Nusbaum's research in nematode-incited diseases of tobacco and other crops inspired the North Carolina State legislature to fund a special laboratory, greenhouse, and personnel for research, and creation of Nematode Assay Service by NC Dept. of Agriculture, 1953.
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1954
Donald E. Ellis becomes head of Plant Pathology
D.E. Ellis served as head of the faculty of Plant Pathology in the Division of Biological Sciences, and became head of the Plant Pathology Department when it was established in 1958.
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1954
Hedwig Hirschmann becomes fourth female professor at NC State
Hedwig Hirschmann, born in Fuerth, Germany, was recognized for her research in nematode taxonomy. She was the first female professor of plant pathology and the fourth woman hired as a professor at NC State. Hirschmann married fellow Plant Pathology faculty member Anastasios Triantaphyllou in 1960, and taught at NC State until 1992.
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5/24/1956
Agronomy Club Banquet
Dr. Arthur Kelman, professor of Plant Pathology, receives an award for being voted the most outstanding professor in the School of Agriculture at the first annual Agronomy Club Banquet.
- 1958 Department of Plant Pathology established
1960s
- 1964 Dr. Arthur Kelman becomes president of the American Phytopathological Society
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1967
Additional female full professors
The fourth and fifth female full professors are appointed. Hedwig Hirschmann Triantaphyllou became a full professor of Plant Pathology and Emily Quinn Pugh became a full professor of Adult Education.
1970s
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1973
First female African-American Ph.D. recipient
Nannette Smith Henderson becomes the first African-American woman to be awarded a Ph.D. at NC State, with a degree in Plant Pathology.
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1973
Robert Aycock becomes head of Plant Pathology Department
Dr. Aycock joined the plant pathology faculty at NC State in 1955, and replaced Donald E. Ellis as head of the department in 1973.
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1974
First African American woman to receive Ph.D.
Nanette Smith Henderson became the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. from NC State University. She received her degree in Plant Pathology.
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1975
Joseph N. Sasser receives grant for International Meloidogyne Project
Plant Pathology professor and nematologist J.N. Sasser was awarded a grant from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) which led to the development of the International Meloidogyne Project in 1981. The project involved the cooperation of more than 100 scientists from over 70 developing countries, to increase yields of food crops through research into the biology and management of root-knot nematodes.
1980s
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1984
William L. Klarman becomes head of Department of Plant Pathology
Dr. Klarman became Vice Chancellor for Research at North Carolina State University in 1990.
1990s
- 1992 O.W. Barnett becomes head of Plant Pathology Department
2000s
- 2002 James Moyer becomes head of Plant Pathology Department