Society for Economic Botany Names Hardy Eshbaugh as Distinguished Economic Botanist.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) February 5, 2007 -- HONOLULU, Hawai`i., - Society for Economic Botany Names Hardy Eshbaugh as Distinguished Economic Botanist.

Dr. Will McClatchey, President of the Society for Economic Botany, announced today that Dr. W. Hardy Eshbaugh is the recipient of the 2007 Distinguished Economic Botanist Award, the society's highest honor for professionals. He will be honored June 7th in a formal ceremony during the society's annual meeting in Chicago, Illinois.

Council member Dr. Mary Eubanks, said "In addition to his work on the origin and evolution of peppers (Capsicum spp.), Hardy has distinguished himself as a tireless advocate for biodiversity conservation, and he has greatly contributed to the next generation of botanists through his inspirational teaching of undergraduate and graduate students at Miami University of Ohio." Many of his students have gone on to distinguished careers in plant systematics, ethnobotany, archaeobotany, and biodiversity conservation. Hardy has also contributed greatly as an able and inspiring administrator and leader in professional service to botany. His remarkable record of service as president of numerous prestigious organizations, which began with the Society of Economic Botany in 1983-84, includes the Botanical Society of America, the American Society of Plant Taxonomists, the American Institute of Biological Sciences and the Audubon Society. He also played a key role in shaping the future of botany as worldwide chair of the Systematics Agenda 2000 - Charting the Biosphere Initiative.

The Distinguished Economic Botanist Award, established in 1978, is bestowed annually by the Society on the basis of outstanding education and research accomplishments. The award represents the ultimate achievement in the field of Economic Botany. The Society for Economic Botany is the largest international scientific organization fostering and encouraging research and education on the past, present, and future uses of plants by people.

For more information, contact Dr. Michael B. Thomas, Secretary. Tel: 808 375-6275.