Purdue News
Purdue News
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Lawrence P. Bohl, a Purdue University professor of agricultural economics whom colleagues and former students refer to as the consummate teacher and counselor, has won the 1996 Hovde Award of Excellence.
The award is given annually to a Purdue staff or faculty member who has made an outstanding contribution to the progress of rural Indiana. Eight agricultural leaders from industry and the university select the recipient, who receives $800 and a plaque.
Bohl, who has taught or counseled nearly 10,000 students during his 26 years at Purdue, received the award Monday (12/9) at the Indiana Farm Bureau Inc. annual convention in Indianapolis.
"He has virtually every ag econ freshman in class during their first semester at Purdue," said Purdue agricultural economist Jay Akridge. "By the time they are seniors, Larry will know them all -- and not just as casual acquaintances. He will know each and every one personally."
When he heard that Bohl was a candidate for the award, John Farris, Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service educator from Anderson, stepped forward with praise: "As my undergraduate counselor, Dr. Bohl gave me valuable advice as I was making decisions about my major, joining a fraternity, balancing studies with my participation on Purdue's wrestling team and deciding whether to enter a graduate program."
Now Farris brings potential students from Madison County to Bohl for advice on careers and education.
Wally Tyner, head of the Department of Agricultural Economics, said: "Ultimately, Larry's students are never a number and come back to him during adulthood. He has provided guidance to young people across the state as they choose their university, college major, courses and career path."
Bohl has won nearly every teaching and counseling award in his department, school, university and professional association, according to Tyner. Three of those include the American Agricultural Economics Association Distinguished Teaching Award, the School of Agriculture Outstanding Counselor Award and the School of Agriculture Outstanding Teaching Award.
Bohl received a bachelor's degree from Montana State University in 1953. He earned both his master's degree (1967) and doctoral degree (1971) from Purdue.
The Hovde Award honors the memory of the late Frederick L. Hovde, a former Purdue president, and is made possible by the Indiana Farm Bureau.
CONTACT: Tyner, (765) 494-4205; e-mail, Tyner@agecon.purdue.edu
