Michael L. Campbell
“Outstanding Alumni”
Associate Vice Chancellor, University Advancement
University of California, Merced
“The partnership Campbell formed between California universities and the agricultural industry has resulted in well-trained and motivated leaders dedicated to the long-term interests of agriculture and the community.”
Congressman George Radanovich
19th Congressional District, California
Mike L. Campbell has devoted his career to California agriculture and higher education. Raised in Clarksburg, Campbell has owned and managed several farming businesses. He served as a White House Fellow prior to joining UC Davis as assistant dean in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
During his thirteen years at UC Davis, Campbell garnered external support and funds for the college. He helped guide the California Agricultural Leadership Program. Campbell has been at UC Merced for five years, supporting development activities.
Mike Campbell earned a bachelor’s degree from UC Davis and a master’s degree from Stanford University. He has received numerous awards for his contributions to agriculture, including awards from the California Agricultural Education Foundation, the National Agricultural Alumni and Development Association, and the Cal Aggie Alumni Association. Campbell has been active with the Yolo County Farm Bureau, the California State Fair Agricultural Advisory Committee, Seeds of Success, and scouting associations.
Calvin Dooley
“Outstanding Alumni”
President and CEO, Food Products Association
Former Member of Congress
“Calvin Dooley, as a farmer and businessman, is keenly aware that California agriculture is at a crossroads. His unwavering support for the land-grant system and his belief in information technology are key to California agriculture’s future.”
Dr. W.R. Gomes
Vice President, Agriculture and Natural Resources
University of California
Calvin Dooley served seven terms as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives until 2004, representing the 20th District of California. In Congress, he served on the House Agriculture Committee and co-founded the New Democrat Coalition in Congress. “Congressional Quarterly” named Dooley a “power player” in 2001. He is currently president and CEO of Food Products Association, providing leadership and addressing public policy issues related to food safety and processing, health, and nutrition.
Dooley has been a champion for higher education, particularly support for agricultural research at land-grant universities, such as the University of California. He has received numerous national awards for his support of biotechnology, information technology, and agricultural trade expansion.
Dooley is a fourth-generation farmer and partner in Dooley Farms, growing cotton, alfalfa, and walnuts in the San Joaquin Valley. Dooley earned a bachelor’s degree from UC Davis and a master’s degree from Stanford University. He and his wife, Linda, have two daughters.
Robert B. Fridley
“Outstanding Faculty”
Professor Emeritus
Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering
University of California, Davis
“Dr. Fridley’s research solved important problems in California agriculture. He made stellar academic achievements and contributions to the economic well-being of California agriculture.”
Dr. Bruce Hartsough
Professor and Chair
Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering
University of California, Davis
Robert Fridley is a professor emeritus and former department chair of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at UC Davis. His research supported industry needs in agriculture, forestry, and aquaculture. Fridley was instrumental in developing the tree harvester for mechanical harvesting of tree fruit. He authored several books important to the agricultural industry.
Fridley also directed the Aquaculture and Fisheries Program at UC Davis and served as executive associate dean for the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. He conducted forest engineering research with Weyerhaeuser Company and developed a UC Davis scholarship with the Weyerhaeuser Company Foundation.
Robert Fridley received many international awards for his engineering research and has consulted throughout the world. He is a Fellow in the American Society of Agricultural Engineers, was elected to the National Academy of Engineering, and received three presidential distinguished service awards. Fridley received a bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley, a master’s degree from UC Davis, and a doctor’s degree from Michigan State University.
Kenneth Grossman
“Outstanding Family and Friends”
President, Owner, and Master Brewer
Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
Chico, California
“Ken Grossman is one of the foremost names in U.S. brewing. He helped establish California as one of the few good ‘brewing states.’ He is one of the foremost champions of excellence in the industry.”
Dr. Charles Bamforth
Professor and Chair
Department of Food Science and Technology
University of California, Davis
Ken Grossman has grown the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company from a home-brewing operation to the present 600,000 barrel-plus operation (one of the “top ten” in the U.S.) in a quarter of a century. His beers win gold and silver medals at the Great American Beer Festival, international competitions, and several state fairs.
Grossman supports agricultural sustainability and is a model for environmental stewardship within his business. He endlessly supports higher education by guest-teaching at UC Davis, hosting field trips to his brewery, hiring UC Davis graduates, and donating to the Malting and Brewing program at UC Davis. Grossman contributes supplies and expertise to numerous university research projects.
Ken Grossman supports local youth organizations and sports teams, public television and radio, community arts, and many civic and community enhancement organizations. He serves on several conservation boards and is involved in local environmental organizations. Grossman has also served as president of the Brewers Association of America.
Tara Habig McHugh
“Outstanding Young Alumna”
Research Leader and Research Food Technologist
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service
Albany, California
“Dr. McHugh’s research is critical for improving the American diet and addressing the obesity epidemic. She has the vision required to tackle research problems as they evolve and develop.”
Dr. Charles Shoemaker, Professor, and
Dr. John Krochta, Professor
Department of Food Science and Technology
University of California, Davis
Tara McHugh has made significant accomplishments in the development of new value-added fruit and vegetable products. She leads a food science research program on optimizing nutritional characteristics in fruits, vegetables, and cereal grains. Her research helps improve the American diet and addresses the obesity epidemic. McHugh’s research also increases the availability of healthy, convenient fruit and vegetable products. Her research on a fruit-based pear bar is being used to develop a fruit bar for the national school lunch program.
McHugh received the Presidential Early Career Award in Science and Engineering in 2004, a USDA Secretary Honors Award, and a Federal Laboratory Consortium Award. She served on NASA’s Food Technology Advisory Committee. McHugh has an extensive list of research publications and works regularly with popular media.
She received a doctor’s degree from UC Davis and was the first student to graduate from the Food Science Ph.D. program. McHugh also has a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University.
John Stuart Rowe
“Outstanding Alumni”
Dairy farmer and livestock breeder
Davis, California
“Dairy farmers throughout the United States have benefited from Stuart Rowe’s dedication, leadership, and service. Everything that Stuart does is done with honesty and integrity.”
Bradford E. Ellsworth
Judge
Texas County Associate Circuit Court
Stuart Rowe is a third-generation dairy farmer. His family farm, started in 1894, is a “California Century Farm.” Rowe’s Innisfail Herd string has been exhibited annually at the California State Fair since 1914, and his Milking Shorthorn breed has produced several national winners.
Rowe is committed to industry improvement and youth education. He spent 40 years as an international dairy judge. He received national awards from the National Dairy Shrine and the World Dairy Expo. Rowe has held leadership positions with the American Milking Shorthorn Society, the national and California Dairy Herd Improvement Associations, the Dixon Resource Conservation District, and the California State Fair.
Rowe supports youth education, including 4-H, FFA, UC Davis livestock judging teams, and the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. He spends time working with students to hone their interest in agriculture. He helped establish a cattle herd at Tilden Park in Berkeley, and encourages urban youth to volunteer and participate in other agricultural activities. Stuart Rowe received a bachelor’s degree from UC Davis in 1953.
J. Neil Rutger
“Outstanding Alumni”
Research Geneticist
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service
Stuttgart, Arkansas
“Neil Rutger is considered one of the most famous rice geneticists in the world. Those fortunate enough to work with him usually become major contributors to agricultural development in their countries.”
Dr. David Mackill
Head
Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Biotechnology Division
International Rice Research Institute
Neil Rutger is a rice geneticist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). While a USDA research geneticist and adjunct professor at UC Davis, he pioneered research on Calrose varieties of rice for U.S. production. Calrose 76, a variety he developed, has an estimated added value of one billion dollars to the California economy. His additional work with Calrose rice led to a near-doubling of rice yields per acre in California.
In 1993, Rutger became founding director of the Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center, a world-class research facility. His research group has produced more than 50 improved rice types.
Neil Rutger is a Fellow in the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Society of Agronomy, and the Crop Science Society of America. He received many national awards, has consulted in the Philippines and Pakistan, and hosted international research scientists. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois, and a master’s and doctor’s degrees from UC Davis.
Jack Stone
“Outstanding Alumni”
Farmer and Rancher
Stone Land Company
Stratford, California
“Jack Stone is a dedicated valley and Westside resident who has played a significant and pioneering role in the development of Kings County agriculture. He has served his community and his country well.”
Calvin Dooley
Fellow farmer, fellow Award of Distinction inductee, and
Former Member of Congress
Jack Stone is a lifelong farmer and cotton producer, and founder of Stone Land Company in Stratford, California. In addition to supporting the California cotton industry, he addresses many water issues in the San Joaquin Valley. He has been a tireless advocate for farmers through his many community, farm, water, and academic organizations.
Stone’s participation in professional and community organizations is extensive. He has held leadership positions with the Westlands Water District, the California Farm Water Coalition, the National Cotton Council of America, and the Western Cotton Growers Association. Stone has won numerous awards from Cal Poly, the Cotton Hall of Fame, Cotton Farming Magazine, the American Society of Agronomy, the Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce, and has been honored as Kings County Agriculturalist of the Year.
Jack Stone earned a bachelor’s degree from UC Davis in 1940 and was a captain in the U.S. Army in World War II. His children now run the family farming business.