The James B Beard
Turfgrass Library Collection A press release from MSU’s Turfgrass Information Center (TIC) and the MSU Libraries announced the donation of Harriet and Dr. James B Beard's collection of turfgrass research materials, valued at $2.2 million. Dedicated in July 2003, Te James B Beard Turfgrass Library Collection “is generally acknowledged to be the finest personal compilation of turf-related material in existence. It includes international coverage of the turfgrass research and management literature, including books, periodicals, and technical reports.”
Dr. Beard authored nine books, including Turfgrass: Science and Culture, which many call "the Bible for turfgrass managers.” According to MSU, it was published in 1973 and, still in print, continues as the only true treatise ever written regarding turfgrass science. It remains the best-selling reference work in the field.
And later in the MSU release, “It was under the direction of Dr. Beard, and then-Library Director, Dr. Richard Chapin, that the MSU Libraries began to systematically collect printed turfgrass materials in the 1960s. In 1968, the personal collection of the late O. J. Noer, a pioneer turf agronomist, was added to the holdings through the O. J. Noer Foundation. Te arrival of the Beard Collection makes MSU the strongest public repository of turfgrass literature in the world. Eventually, the Turfgrass Information File (TGIF) database will provide article-level access to all items within the Collections.”
Te photo of Dr. James B and Harriet Beard on this brochure about the MSU endowed graduate fellowship named for them was one of their favorites. Photo courtesy of the Dr. James B and Harriet Beard Collection
Brunswick, New Jersey, July 16-21, 2017. Dr. Beard’s presentation on the “History of the International Turfgrass Society and the Legacy of James Watson,” took place during the tribute to the late Dr. Watson on the evening of July 17. Tere is a fitting last photo of Dr. Beard, now in the TPI archives, showing him behind the podium at the ITRC, talking turfgrass.
Tis photo of Dr. Beard, now in the TPI archives, shows him behind the podium at the ITRC in July of 2017, talking turfgrass. Photo by Steve Trusty
Looking Back Looking back, Dr. Beard and Harriet had expressed gratitude “… to have been blessed with a wonderful family and the opportunity to work and travel together.” And Dr. Beard had reported, “Te most fulfilling moments are the successes of my students, both undergrad and grad, American and foreign.”
Many TPI members had an opportunity to see and visit with Dr. Beard when TPI’s 2017 Summer Program was held in conjunction with the International Turfgrass Research Conference (ITRC) centered in New
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For most of the 40 years that Turf News has been published, Dr. Beard served as its Science Advisor, with his name listed on the second page of the magazine, along with the TPI Board of Trustees and TPI’s Legal Counsel. It was yet another role he fulfilled for TPI and another representation of his passion for upholding the ‘science’ in turfgrass science. It is with a heavy heart, yet with heart-felt appreciation, that TPI says goodbye to Dr. James B Beard.
Suz Trusty is co-editor of Turf News.
Editor’s Note: Much of this information came from the Turf News article, “Dr. James B and Harriet Beard—Partners in an Amazing Journey,” which appeared in the March/April 2017 issue. It provides more details on Dr. Beard and his over 50 years of support to TPI, its initiatives and its members. Tat article is available online, as an exclusive TPI member benefit, through the Turfgrass Information Center, or contact suztrusty@
TurfGrassSod.org to have a PDF of the article emailed to you.
TPI Turf News July/August 2018
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