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Pennsylvania Turfgrass council Renames Distinguished Service Award for
Dr. George Hamilton

At its annual membership meeting in November at State College, the Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council (PTC) announced that it was re-naming its Distinguished Service Award to honor Dr. George Hamilton, a leading professor and researcher in turfgrass management at Penn State, who died on July 9, 2004, after a courageous year-long battle with cancer.

The newly named Dr. George Hamilton Distinguished Service Award will be given out for the first time in 2005.

In making the announcement, PTC President Jerred Golden said, “The PTC Board unanimously voted to change the name of the award as a way to honor George for his unfailing support for PTC’s mission to advance the science of turfgrass management.” (Click here to read Golden’s announcement.)

Golden noted that Dr. Hamilton was both a gifted teacher and innovative researcher. “He excelled at working with students, finding ways to motivate even the most reluctant student into setting the bar higher. As a researcher, he had incredible vision for innovation. His straight ahead approach to finding solutions for our day-to-day problems gave us practical solutions in the form of market-ready inventions that have changed to way we grow turf.

“Everyone will remember George for his strength of character and his desire to make everything he did and everyone around him better. Our lives have been enriched for knowing him. As George told us at last year’s convention with his moving speech, we have to live a full life - a life that honors our families and communities, as much as our jobs. One that is inspiring to those who look up to us and depend on us and to live our lives with passion.”

Golden concluded, “Through his speech he has appointed us ambassadors to live our lives in such a manor that will celebrate the spirit that his passion represents. George truly lived his life in service to us all and when the award is presented in the future, we can remember a friend that has made all of us better professionals and better people.”