OSU to award three with honorary doctorates
Friday, April 22, 2011
“The success of these individuals in their respective fields is a testament to their skills, leadership and service to society,” said OSU President Burns Hargis. “They exemplify those who have dedicated their lives to improving the world for others, and we are pleased to award them honorary doctorates as the ultimate sign of our appreciation.”
Born and raised in a small rural community in Ethiopia, Gebisa Ejeta was able to complete his early education in his own country at Alemaya College, which was built and staffed by OSU. He attended graduate school at Purdue University where he earned his master and doctorate degrees in plant breeding and genetics.
Ejeta’s sorghum research in Sudan is credited for laying the foundation for all the research to follow. He returned to Purdue in 1984 to lead a comprehensive education and research program emphasizing African agricultural research and development. He currently serves as Distinguished Professor of Plant Breeding and Genetics and International Agriculture at Purdue. Dr. Ejeta, who was the recipient of the World Food Prize in 2009, will received an honorary doctor of science degree.
C. Hubert Gragg was born in Burkburnett, Texas, but he spent most of his life in Oklahoma, where he now lives in the town of Newcastle. At 93 years of age, Gragg has had a diverse and highly successful career. Gragg built the first national gas pipeline into Toronto, as well as pipelines in 28 states. He also invented a rubber track system for bulldozers that was environmentally safer than the older systems.
Gragg’s connection to Oklahoma history was solidified by his lifelong friendship with Henry Bellmon. Always more comfortable in an advisory capacity, Gragg showed he was willing to do more when Governor Bellmon tapped him for an official position in transportation at a time of enormous growth in the state. Most recently, Gragg showed his appreciation to Bellmon by making a significant contribution to support study abroad and research-intensive internships at OSU. Gragg will receive an honorary doctor of humane letters degree.
Born into a family of immigrants from Denmark, Morten Johannes Lauridsen was raised in Portland, Oregon, where he developed a love for music at an early age by listening to his mother sing to him and play swing jazz on the piano. Today his acclaimed choral works and song cycles have made him one of the most-performed living composers in the country. Lauridsen’s works are featured regularly in concerts worldwide, but he recently found time to serve a residency at OSU and work extensively with the concert chorale and chamber choir.
Lauridsen chaired the composition department at the USC Thornton School of Music for several years and founded the school’s advanced studies program in film scoring. He is currently Distinguished Professor of Composition. Lauridsen was named an “American Choral Master” by the National Endowment for the Arts in 2006. The next year, the President honored him at the White House with the National Medal of Arts, “for his composition of radiant choral works combining musical beauty, power and spiritual depth that have thrilled audiences worldwide.” Dr. Lauridsen will receive an honorary doctor of fine arts degree.