Dr. Harold J. Aymond, retired professor and head of the Harold and Pearl Dripps Department of Agricultural Sciences at McNeese State University, was recently honored by the university with Professor Emeritus status.

A native of Evergreen, LA, Aymond received his Bachelor of Science degree in agronomy from the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette) and both his Master of Science and doctorate degrees in agronomy from Louisiana State University.

In August 1972, Aymond joined the faculty of McNeese as an assistant professor of agronomy where he provided 33 years of outstanding service to the university and its students as a faculty member and department head (16 years) until his retirement in December 2005.

His leadership was instrumental in the department’s growth and in building sound academic and community service programs that supported the mission of the university.

            Aymond, a recipient of the Seaman Asahel Knapp Endowed Professor of Agriculture professorship, conducted research at McNeese that aided area cattle producers in determining what varieties of rye grass to feed their livestock in collaboration with the Louisiana State University Agriculture Center. McNeese was one of the first universities in the state to conduct cooperative research with the LSU Ag Center.

Emeritus status is specifically granted to honor retired faculty and administrators who have made distinguishing professional contributions and have served significant portions of their careers at McNeese. Only a select few receive this recognition for their service to the university.