July 14 was a day of celebration for Dr. Cary Mitchell’s 50 years with our department. Current and retired Purdue HLA faculty, staff, students, and guests joined together to honor Dr. Mitchell’s work in controlled environment agriculture, outer space agriculture, and as an advocate for women in ag. Retired HLA Professor Dr. Jules Janick read from his poem dedicated to Dr. Mitchell and retired HLA Department Head Dr. Bruno Moser recalled his memories of him.
Jules Janick’s Poem for Cary Mitchell
For Cary Mitchell
Cary, in celebration of fifty years at old Purdue
We honor the many splendid things you do
For you are a world leader today
In horticulture, plant physiology and CEA
To train aspiring PhDs you swore an oath
You rubbed plants and stopped their growth
You pioneered growing plants in space
You did this all with charm and grace
You revolutionized lightsickles with LEDs
You’ve accomplished this with skill and ease
A raft of research papers you have penned
You’ve been a mentor and a friend
With Lette you raised a splendid family
You’re the distinguished head of a family tree
Cary, we appreciate all you’ve done
We love you, colleagues, students, everyone