David C. Ferree '65 Horticulture

Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences has named David C. Ferree, of Centre Hall, a 2015 Outstanding Alumnus. The award recognizes alumni for their achievements and provides opportunities for recipients to interact with the college's faculty, students and other alumni.

Ferree, who began his association with Penn State as a 4-H member from Clinton County, earned a bachelor's degree in horticulture in 1965. Upon graduation, he received the Scholastic Achievement Award from the Department of Horticulture.

He went on to become a professor in the Department of Horticulture and Crop Sciences at Ohio State University, where he collaborated with colleagues and students to publish 200 refereed papers and numerous technical reports based on tree fruit and grape research. Before retiring with emeritus status in 2004, he advised 10 master's degree and nine doctoral students who currently work in academic programs in six states and at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Ferree delivered invited research presentations to grower groups in 19 states and several Canadian provinces. He served a term as associate editor for the American Society for Horticultural Science, which elected him as a fellow in 1982 and as Research Division vice president in 1988.

The society also honored him with its Joseph Harvey Gourley Award in 1981, its Stark Award in 1983 and its Outstanding Graduate Educators Award in 2001. In addition, he won research and extension awards from the International Dwarf Tree Association, the American Pomological Society and Ohio State University.