Bonjour honored with international leadership award

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Edmond Bonjour has played a vital role in the development of emerging leaders in the agricultural industry throughout Oklahoma.

His hard work and dedication were recognized recently when he was named the recipient of the 2016 Outstanding International Leadership Program Director Award during the annual International Association of Programs for Agricultural Leaders meeting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Bonjour is the director of the Oklahoma Agricultural Leadership Program at Oklahoma State University, a 20-month program designed to further develop future leaders for Oklahoma agriculture.

“I am humbled and honored to receive this prestigious award from my peers,” Bonjour said. “The knowledge I have gained from directors across the U.S. and the world is invaluable and I thoroughly enjoy sharing my experiences with new directors as they begin their journey to educate leaders for agriculture and rural communities.”

Joe Waldrum, executive secretary of IAPAL, said Bonjour is highly respected by his IAPAL peers in his work with leaders and leadership development.

“Bonjour received this honor for his innovations in leadership development in Oklahoma, being a mentor to directors of emerging agricultural leadership programs and his dedicated support of the IAPAL,” Waldrum said. “We are delighted and proud to acknowledge publicly his talent and impact with this prestigious award.”

A native of Olin, Iowa, Bonjour earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics and biology from Wartburg College in 1983. He came to OSU that same year where he conducted research and worked with OSU Cooperative Extension in the department of entomology and plant pathology. He went on to earn his master’s degree in entomology from OSU in 1988.

He began his journey as director of OALP in 2010, after having been a member of OALP’s Class XIII. He continues to hold a partial appointment in the department of entomology and plant pathology as an Extension entomologist specializing in stored grain protection.

The IAPAL is a consortium of leadership programs in the United States, Canada and several other countries. Most IAPAL member programs have a two-year curriculum designed for up to 30 key leaders selected through application and interview processes.