2008 Outstanding Alumni

Peter H. Adler
'79 M.S. Zoology, '83 Ph.D. Entomology

Adler is professor of entomology at Clemson University. Among Adler's significant contributions to the field of entomology is his tandem cytogenetic-morphological-ecological approach to the study of black flies. This research has been applied in programs worldwide to enhance the management of these harmful pests of humans and animals. For his book, The Black Flies of North America, he was recognized as the author of the Best Single Volume Reference in Science by the Association of American Publishers in 2004.

Conrado (Bobby) Gempesaw II
'85 Ph.D. Agricultural Economics

Conrado (Bobby) Gempesaw II is currently the Dean of the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics at the University of Delaware (UD). As Dean of the Lerner College, he is responsible for UD's second largest college with 2,800 undergraduate students and 550 graduate students. For the past 15 years, he has served in various administrative capacities at UD including Department Chair, Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and Vice Provost for Academic and International Programs. He is a member of the Northeastern Agricultural and Resource Economics Association (NAREA) and received the association's distinguished member award twice, in 1996 and 2000. In 2007, he was named an honorary life member by the association.

Keith E. Masser
'73 B.S. Agricultural Engineering

Keith Masser, a seventh-generation potato farmer has been the president and general manager of Sterman Masser Inc. for 34 years. Masser integrated green technology into all aspects of his business. In 2005 he opened Keystone Potato Products LLC, which operates on methane gas from a local landfill. Masser received the Master Farmer Award in 1998, the EPA Environmental Stewardship Award in 1998 and the Red Book Produce Directory Business Character Award in 2008.

Donald E. Orr, Jr.
'69 M.S. Animal Industry

Donald Orr Jr. is president of JBS United Inc., where he has worked for 24 years, he has expanded the company from a regional feed manufacturer to a nutrition-technology-based business with a growing U.S. and global market footprint. An innovator in the agricultural animal industry, Orr is co-inventor of a 2007 U.S. patent for the use of marine-origin omega-3 fatty acids in improving female swine reproductive performance.

Matthew E. Owens
'93 B.S. Landscape Contracting

Matthew Owens served as Operations manager for seven years prior to being promoted to Chief Operations Officer of Chapel Valley Landscape Company. He has contributed leadership and guidance to help raise industry standards within the green industry both locally and nationally. Owens, who oversees projects worth over $26 million, continues to contribute time and professional expertise as a mentor and employer of Penn State students.

Terry A. Rightnour
'73 B.S. Environmental Resource Management, '83 M. S. Environmental Pollution

Terry Rightnour is a member of the first Environmental Resource Management (ERM) class at Penn State, he was instrumental in initiating the ERM Affiliate Program Group in 2001, serving on its board of directors from 2001 to 2006. Rightnour, the president and principal hydrologist of Waters Edge Hydrology Inc., consults with industry, public agencies, non-governmental organizations and research institutions for environmental assessment, restoration and pollution control.