Former UF/IFAS Vice President Honored for Service

By:
Mickie Anderson (352) 392-0400

Source(s):
Jim Davidson, jamesjmd44@cox.net, 352-377-0582
Richard Jones rljones@ufl.edu (352) 392-1965

View Photo
View Photo

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Jim Davidson, former University of Florida vice president for agriculture and natural resources, has been honored with the E.T. York Distinguished Service Award for his contributions to the people of Florida through UF agriculture and natural resource programs.

Davidson is the third recipient since the award was established in 1983, following former vice presidents for agriculture E.T. York and Ken Tefertiller.

“I think if I identified one thing about Jim’s impact, it would be that he led IFAS through some strategic planning that helped set the direction through the mid- to late ‘90s,” said Richard Jones, who served as dean for research with Davidson. “He was well-respected by all of IFAS’ clientele, and that allowed him to be a more effective administrator.”

Davidson received the award April 4 at the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences’ administrative council meeting at Emerson Alumni Hall.

A plaque bearing his name was hung in McCarty Hall, just outside the office of Jimmy Cheek, UF senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources.

Davidson led UF/IFAS from 1992 until he retired in early 1998. As vice president, he was responsible for overseeing UF/IFAS’ statewide research and extension programs and the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.

From 1986 until he was named vice president, Davidson was dean for research, responsible for UF/IFAS research programs in 23 academic departments and 13 research and education centers throughout Florida.

Davidson came to UF in 1972 as a visiting associate professor and joined the faculty as a soil science professor in 1974. His research focused on the movement of pesticides and other organic materials through soil.

From 1976 until 1979, Davidson led a team of 20 UF scientists from 10 departments and four colleges studying health risks associated with land application of municipal sewage sludge. At the time, the $1.15 million, three-year grant was one of the largest health-effects projects funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the largest grant UF/IFAS had received.

He is a fellow of the American Society of Agronomy and the Soil Science Society of America and is listed in the American Men of Sciences, Men of Achievement, Who’s Who in the South and Who’s Who in Science and Engineering. He served on national EPA and Academy of Science committees investigating groundwater quality.

Before coming to Florida, Davidson taught at Oklahoma State University and held laboratory research posts at Oregon State University and the University of California, Davis.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in soil science at Oregon State in 1956 and stayed to earn a master’s in soil physics in 1958. He earned a doctorate in soil physics at the University of California, Davis in 1965.

He and his wife, Peg, live in Gainesville.

-30-

0

Avatar photo
Posted: May 24, 2006


Category: UF/IFAS



Subscribe For More Great Content

IFAS Blogs Categories