Donor Spotlight


Will D. Carpenter Graduate Assistantship

Will D. Carpenter Graduate Assistantship

John Buol and Lucas Franca are recipients of the Will D. Carpenter Distinguished Field Scientist Graduate Assistantship.

The assistantship, funded by the Monsanto Company, is named after Dr. Will D. Carpenter, a 1952 agronomy graduate of Mississippi State University, who spent 34 years with the Monsanto Co., retiring as vice president and general manager of its new products division. He and his company's team are credited with helping to greatly increase global food production through the development of two weed- and grass-control products, RoundUp and Lasso.

Buol (right) is pursuing a master's degree in weed science under the direction of Dr. Dan Reynolds. Franca (left) is pursuing a doctoral degree in weed science under the direction of Dr. Darrin Dodds.

The assistantship pairs both with industry mentor, Dr. Anthony Mills (center), a Monsanto distinguished field scientist who focuses on weed management.