BRYAN, Texas –More than 90 faculty and friends came to celebrate 25 years of hard work and dedication for Professor and Endowed Chair for Urban and Structural Entomology Dr. Roger Gold during a dinner at the Astin Mansion on January 8.
Gold retired on January 16 after 25 years of service with the Department. He started with the Department in 1989 as Professor and Endowed Chair of the Urban and Structural Entomology program.
As Professor and Endowed Chair, he was responsible for overseeing research, extension and teaching programs dealing with urban entomology issues. During his tenure as the chair he has taught nine courses, including the popular course “Insects in Human Society” which is taught to non-science majors that may have an interest in entomology.
With all of his courses, Gold relies heavily on interactive demonstrations and hands-on experiences to teach his students during his courses to help students become more involved in learning about entomology.
In addition to teaching undergraduates, he has mentored 16 Ph.D. students, 35 masters students, and six postdocs. Gold also has received numerous awards, including the Pest Management Professional Hall of Fame Award, the Excellence in Teaching Undergraduate & Graduate Students, and Continuing Education Programs Award, and the Texas A&M Vice Chancellor Awards in Excellence for Undergraduate Teaching in 2007.
Gold currently holds memberships in several professional and scientific organizations, including the Entomological Society of America, American Council on Science and Health, the American Chemical Society, and the Texas Structural Pest Control Board. He also has served on many committees such as the Task Force for Pest Management and the Environment, as well as treasurer of the National Conference on Urban Entomology.
Gold also was instrumental in raising funding for the newly-constructed Rollins Center for Urban and Structural Entomology, which is scheduled to be completed in January.
Entomology Department Head Dr. David Ragsdale welcomed and thanked guests for celebrating and acknowledging all the hard work Roger has done the last 25 years at Texas A&M, Department of Entomology.
“Roger played a major role in getting the Rollins Center built. With this new facility, we’ve ensured our research, teaching and extension in urban entomology will continue for decades to come.,” he said. “It’s an amazing legacy Roger has left us.”