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Title: Dr. Shawn Mehlenbacher 2012 Wilder Silver Medal Recipient

Author
item Finn, Chad

Submitted to: Journal of the American Pomological Society
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/15/2013
Publication Date: 10/31/2013
Publication URL: http://www.pubhort.org/aps/66/v66_n4_a8.htm
Citation: Finn, C.E. 2013. Dr. Shawn Mehlenbacher 2012 Wilder Silver Medal Recipient. Journal of American Pomological Society. Volume 66, Number 4, Article 8, Pg. 227-229.

Interpretive Summary: Dr. Shawn Mehlenbacher, Oregon State University, was awarded the 2012 Wilder Medal by the American Pomological Society for his contributions to hazelnut genetics and cultivar development. Dr. Mehlenbacher took over the leadership of the Oregon State University hazelnut breeding program in 1986 after a short but productive four-year stint at Rutgers University. Since that time he has developed a program that previously had done some interesting work on incompatibility and disease resistance in hazelnuts and has taken it to entirely new levels with exceptional work in genetics, disease resistance, incompatibility and more importantly the development of cultivars with a vital impact on the commercial industry. The success of the program under Dr. Mehlenbacher’s leadership has led to the position becoming an endowed position; a strong indication of the respect that he has engendered. The hard driving Oregon State University program is the preeminent hazelnut breeding program in the world.

Technical Abstract: Dr. Shawn Mehlenbacher, Oregon State University, was awarded the 2012 Wilder Medal by the American Pomological Society for his contributions to hazelnut genetics and cultivar development. Dr. Mehlenbacher took over the leadership of the Oregon State University hazelnut breeding program in 1986 after a short but productive four-year stint at Rutgers University. Since that time he has developed a program that previously had done some interesting work on incompatibility and disease resistance in hazelnuts and has taken it to entirely new levels with exceptional work in genetics, disease resistance, incompatibility and more importantly the development of cultivars with a vital impact on the commercial industry. The success of the program under Dr. Mehlenbacher’s leadership has led to the position becoming an endowed position; a strong indication of the respect that he has engendered. The hard driving Oregon State University program is the preeminent hazelnut breeding program in the world. The Wilder Medal was established in 1873 by the American Pomological Society in honor of Marshall Pinckney Wilder, the illustrious founder and first President of the Society. The Wilder Medal is conferred on individuals or organizations that have rendered outstanding service to horticulture in the broad area of pomology. Special consideration is given to work relating to the origination and introduction of meritorious varieties of fruit. Individuals associated with either commercial concerns or professional organizations may be considered as long as their introductions are truly superior, and have been widely planted.