UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Marvin Hall, professor of forage management in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, recently was lauded by his alma mater, Bluffton University, for his professional accomplishments.
Hall was a recipient of Bluffton's Professional Achievement Award, an honor given to alumni and faculty who have reached milestones in their professional career. He received the award during a ceremony in Bluffton, Ohio, on Oct. 7.
"Bluffton provided me with immense academic opportunities that paved the way for further studies and accomplishment, and I'm very grateful for its recognition of my work," said Hall, a 1977 graduate of the Bluffton with a bachelor's degree in biological sciences. While at the university, he was a member of the football and track teams.
After graduation, he went on to earn a master's degree in agronomy from the University of Minnesota and a doctorate from Ohio State University. Hall was an assistant professor at the University of Idaho prior to coming to Penn State.
A faculty member in the Plant Science Department, Hall joined the former Department of Agronomy at Penn State in 1990. Since that time, he has served as an extension specialist in forage production and utilization. As such, Hall taught county extension educators and farmers the best practices for forage management, such as seeding methods and disease control. More recently, he has taken on a greater teaching and mentoring role.
His primary research examines conserved forages, with his current work focusing on reclaiming strip mine sites for biofuel crop production.
Erin Connolly, professor and head of the Department of Plant Science, noted that Hall's honor is well deserved.
"Marvin is one of our most accomplished faculty members across all aspects of our mission — research, extension and teaching," she said. "He's led research and extension efforts in forage crops and pasture management for many years and is one of our most beloved and effective teachers. We're just thrilled that he's been recognized by his alma mater for this prestigious award."