Lyons was elected a fellow of the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the science, profession and industry of horticulture.
In addition, he was awarded the University of Minnesota's outstanding achievement award recognizing graduates “who have attained unusual distinction in their chosen fields or professions or in public service, and who have demonstrated outstanding achievement and leadership on a community, state, national or international level.”
Lyons is known for his research in the physiology of flowering plants, but more recently for issues related to public horticulture administration, including “how botanic gardens and arboreta collaborate with other institutions, conduct and evaluate educational programs, interpret their collections, raise monies for special projects and general operations, and how they engage volunteers.”
“I am honored to have received these two prestigious awards,” Lyons said. “So many of my colleagues took time from their busy lives to write tremendously flattering letters of support.”
Robert Bruininks, president of the University of Minnesota, said, “It was a great pleasure for me to inform Dr. Lyons that the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota, upon recommendation of the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences and the All-University Honors Committee, had voted to present him the Outstanding Achievement Award of the University of Minnesota.”
In 1976, Lyons received his bachelor's degree in biological sciences from Rutgers College of Rutgers University. He continued on to the University of Minnesota where he completed his master's degree in 1979 and doctoral degree in 1981, both in horticultural science.
Allen S. Levine, dean of the University of Minnesota's College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, said, “In just over 25 years, Dr. Lyons has achieved what few do in a lifetime. As he has advanced his career, Dr. Lyons has moved into prestigious positions and world-renowned facilities--and he has elevated their status immensely.”
Selection as a fellow is the highest honor ASHA bestows upon its members. One of four newly elected fellows, Lyons will be honored at the ASHS national meeting in Orlando, Fla., in July. ASHS does not allow the number of living and active fellows to exceed 10 percent of its membership, and therefore election is quite selective. To be elected, members must be nominated and elected by current fellows.
Lyons served as an associate editor on teaching methods for the society's professional journal, HortTechnology, from 1997-2003 and is currently the consulting editor for the public horticulture section of the publication.
“There are thousands of people who are members of ASHS because horticulture is such a diverse discipline, encompassing forests, vegetables, physiology, ornamentals and so much more," Lyons said. "Some members are focused on teaching, others on research, and still others in administrative roles. It's truly an honor to be elected by my peers.”
Robin Morgan, dean of UD's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, said, “We recruited Bob aggressively to come to UD. His accomplishments at North Carolina State were outstanding. This experience, coupled with his years on the faculty at Virginia Tech, put him in the top league of individuals in public horticulture both nation and worldwide.”
As a professor and the director of the Longwood Graduate Program at UD, Lyons oversees the professional development and research projects of students seeking master's degrees in public horticulture, with the career goals of management and directorial positions in public gardens, arboretums, and other venues in public horticulture. Started in 1967, the program is a partnership between UD's Department of Plant and Soil Sciences and Longwood Gardens--a renowned display garden in Kennett Square, Pa., that promotes the art and enjoyment of horticulture for the public, while providing opportunities for research and learning.
“In my prior positions, I sent some of my undergraduates through the Longwood program," Lyons said. "Just being here at UD is a big honor to me. It is so rewarding to see the accomplishments of my students. The students we have are very talented, and our graduates are moving into successful, notable positions in the world of public horticulture.”
Lyons has been an invited speaker at lectures nationally and internationally. He has also received many awards for his photography and writing from the Garden Writers Association of America.
For more information about the Longwood Graduate Program, gp tp [http://ag.udel.edu/longwoodgrad].
Article by Katy O'Connell
Photo by Kevin Quinlan