NEWS

CROP SCIENCE

John William Wilcut

professor of Crop Science, North Carolina State University
Remembered

September 2007

written by: Dr. David Jordan
NCSU Department of Crop Science

John William Wilcut, 52, passed away August 24, 2007 at his home after a valiant battle with adrenal cancer. His wife, Cathy Worley Wilcut of Apex, and children Jared, of Raleigh and Caitlyn (Caity) of Apex survive John. He was the son of Pete and Irene Wilcut (Missouri). His father preceded him in death.

Surviving siblings include his brothers, Kerry Wilcut and wife, Debbie (Marion, IL), James Wilcut and wife, Daphne (St. Louis, MO), and sister, Kim Amodio and husband, Angelo (Waynesboro, MO). Surviving also are several nephews and nieces. He was strongly devoted to his family, and his first priority was to take care of each of them in the best way he could. He was a thoughtful, romantic man who cherished his wife and children.

John was born in Farmington, MO and grew up in Missouri and Illinois. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinal fan. He received his BS and MS degrees at Eastern Illinois University. He then went to Auburn University to receive his Doctorate in Weed Science. The Auburn Tigers were added to his list of favorite teams. John worked at research stations at Virginia Tech University and The University of Georgia. His desire to be on a main campus to teach and work with students led him to North Carolina State University, where he was a Professor in the Crop Science Department. He dedicated his life to being a mentor to other weed scientists and helping farmers find weed control solutions to maximize crop yields. He was nationally and internationally recognized for his contributions to Agriculture and Weed Science, but his greatest satisfaction came from working with students as they embarked on their careers. He had many more sons and daughters than listed here.

Dr. Wilcut’s program is recognized for providing national leadership in the areas of weed management, weed ecology and biological relationships among crops and weeds, and in the physiological behavior of herbicides in crops and weeds important to U.S. agriculture. John demonstrated excellence in research, extension, and teaching at North Carolina State University, the University of Georgia, and Virginia Tech. His expertise in weed science has been recognized by regulatory agencies at the state and federal level; by commodity groups in a number of states as evidenced by funding and requests for presentations, field days, and commodity meetings; and by state, regional, and national professional organizations and societies.

His students have received recognition through numerous departmental, state, regional, and national awards provided by the American Peanut Research and Education Society, the National Cotton Council, the Department of Crop Science at North Carolina State University, the Southern Weed Science Society, and the Weed Science Society of America. John’s efforts and collaboration with student and other professional colleagues resulted in close to 200 refereed journal articles, five book chapters, and well in excess of four million dollars in funding during his career.

In recognition of John’s efforts, he also has received numerous awards including the Outstanding Young Weed Scientist, Outstanding Educator, and Weed Scientist of the Year from the Southern Weed Science Society; the Dow AgroSciences Research Award and Bailey Award recipient from the American Peanut Research and Education Society; induction as Fellow and recipient of the Outstanding Young Weed Scientist (Early Career Award) from the Weed Science Society of America; the Outstanding Faculty Member Award by Agronomy Club in the Department of Crop Science at North Carolina State University; and the Award for Excellence for Junior Scientist at the University of Georgia’s Coastal Plain Experiment Station. John also served as coach for Weed Teams at North Carolina State University that placed first in 1999 and from 2001-2004 and second place in 1995, 1998, 2000, and 2002 at the Northeastern Weed Science Society Weed Contest.

Dr. Wilcut served simultaneously as Editor of Weed Technology and Peanut Science in recent years. Many members of the American Peanut Research and Education Society credit John with revitalizing the flagship publication Peanut Science through his hard work and dedication. John also brought his experience and dedication to the discipline of weed science through his excellence and dedication as Editor of Weed Technology.

John’s candid opinions and assessments have helped many people make important decisions that have benefited not only their careers but also other more important aspects of their lives and relationships with others. John’s impact is profound, and family, friends, colleagues, and agricultural and scientific communities will miss him.