Celebrating Dr. Lynn Sollenberger’s 40-Year Legacy at The University of Florida

Gainesville, Fla. – Few academic careers leave a mark as broad and enduring as that of Dr. Lynn Sollenberger, Distinguished Professor of Agronomy at the University of Florida (UF). Since receiving his Ph.D. from UF in 1985, Dr. Sollenberger has shaped the field of forage and grassland science for four decades, not only through groundbreaking research but also by cultivating a generation of scientists who now lead programs across the United States and beyond.

A Career Rooted in Innovation and Impact

Dr. Sollenberger’s research has focused on plant-animal-environment interactions, with a special emphasis on the benefits provided to society by grasslands and the development of sustainable livestock production systems. His work has been recognized with numerous accolades, including election as a Lifetime Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the title of Distinguished Teaching Scholar at UF, and the UF Teacher-Scholar Award, the highest honor bestowed by the university on a faculty member. With over 11,300 career citations and more than 320 refereed journal articles, his scholarship has advanced both scientific understanding and practical applications in agronomy.

Mentorship: A Legacy Beyond Publications

Perhaps Dr. Sollenberger’s most profound impact is reflected in the success of his students. Over his career, he has chaired or co-chaired 69 graduate students (32 Ph.D. and 37 M.S.), many of whom have gone on to secure faculty positions at prestigious universities and research organizations worldwide. His commitment to mentoring has been recognized with the UF Doctoral Mentoring Award, and his influence extends well beyond his own laboratory.

A National Footprint: The Gator Network in Higher Education

A striking testament to Dr. Sollenberger’s mentorship is captured in the attached US map, where each Gator logo marks the location of an institution where one of his former graduate students is now a faculty member or researcher. The distribution is impressive—his mentees are now advancing forage science and agronomy in nearly every region of the country, from Texas and Hawaii to Wisconsin and Maine, and even Puerto Rico. This visual representation underscores the national—and international—reach of his program.

Global Reach and Lasting Influence

Beyond the U.S., Dr. Sollenberger’s former students hold faculty positions at leading institutions in Brazil, China, and South Korea, and serve in prominent research organizations such as EMBRAPA (Brazil), INTA (Argentina), and KALR (Kenya). This global network amplifies the impact of his research philosophy and commitment to sustainable agriculture.

A Program That Shapes the Future

The map of Gator logos is more than a point of pride—it is a living legacy. Each marker represents a scientist equipped with the knowledge, values, and vision fostered in Dr. Sollenberger’s program. Through his dedication to research, teaching, and mentorship, Dr. Sollenberger has ensured that the University of Florida’s influence in forage and grassland science will persist for generations.

As he celebrates 40 years at UF/IFAS, Dr. Sollenberger’s career stands as a model for how one scientist’s commitment to excellence can ripple outward, shaping the future of an entire discipline.

A Legacy

To further honor Dr. Sollenberger’s remarkable legacy and support the future of agricultural science, consider making a gift to help us reach our goal of $35,000 to create a permanent endowment. This new lecture series will support the next generation of scientists in recognition of Dr. Sollenberger’s 40 years of service to advancing agriculture and natural resources for our state, country, and world. Learn more or contribute at: