Riverland Community College

Jerry Nelson describes himself as a professor emeritus of Plant Sciences after retiring from the University of Missouri-Columbia, yet he stays busy internationally. During the past year he was in South Korea for the 29th time. "Or maybe the 30th - I've kind of lost track." Nelson is helping the Koreans design a national high-technology agricultural center. And he was in Vietnam for the 6th time working to improve agriculture and in North Korea for the 3rd time assisting with science exchange in agriculture as a way toward improving diplomatic relations. Most recently he was called to South Africa to mentor young black scientists in agriculture.

A nationally recognized authority on plant physiology of agricultural crops, Nelson has co-authored five books and published more than 200 research papers. He received the University of Minnesota's Siehl Prize for Excellence in Agriculture in 2004 for extraordinary contributions to food production and the alleviation of hunger and the national Outstanding Alumni Award from the American Association of Community Colleges in 2007.

Growing up on a farm in southern Minnesota, Nelson's academic career began at Austin Junior College (now Riverland Community College), which he chose largely for economic reasons. "That was the one I could afford," said Nelson. "And I could stay at home and continue working for area farmers. It gave me a great foundation for a rewarding career."

Nelson maintains close ties with Riverland Community College, consulting frequently with college leadership and establishing two Jerry and Barbara Nelson Endowed Scholarships in memory of his wife. He also led his Lyle High School class of 1957 to donate a scholarship to Riverland. The scholarships have no restrictions. "We left them wide open," said Nelson. "Some may use it as a steppingstone to a four-year university. Others may want to learn skills to improve their employment and be more involved with governance and societal development of the area; that will contribute a tremendous amount, too."