Culpepper honored by GSD during CALS Alumni Awards celebration
N.C. State alumnus and Nash County native Dr. William H. Culpepper was among College of Agriculture and Life Sciences graduates honored during CALS Tailgate 2014 weekend. Culpepper was named 2014 CALS Alumni Initiate to Gamma Sigma Delta (GSD), the Honor Society of Agriculture.
Culpepper earned his CALS bachelor’s degree in crop science in 1966. He is president and CEO of SePRO Corp., an Indiana-based aquatics and ornamental horticulture company he founded in 1993. In 2005, he was selected as one of CALS’ Distinguished Alumni.
GSD is dedicated to recognizing academic achievements and accomplishments of students, faculty members, alumni and industry or university supporters. Culpepper was honored by GSD during the CALS Alumni Awards Reception and Ceremony Sept.5 at the University Club.
CALS Dean Rich Linton made the presentation to Culpepper, as Josh Starling, director of the N.C. FFA Foundation, served as emcee of the event.
“We are proud to recognize Bill as a 2014 initiate to Gamma Sigma Delta,” Starling said. “Alumni initiates are nominated by CALS leadership in recognition of outstanding service to agriculture. Bill’s many contributions as an agribusiness executive, entrepreneur, philanthropist and volunteer leader more than qualify him for this honor.”
Among Culpepper’s many activities are his service on the university’s Board of Visitors and as a board member of the N.C. Agricultural and Life Sciences Research Foundation.
“He co-chaired the Achieve! Campaign, establishing the Culpepper Professorship in aquatic weed management,” said Starling, who added, “Bill is an ongoing partner in collaborative research and a director of AgileScience, a start-up company that grew out of our Biochemistry Department.”
As Linton presented Culpepper with his GSD pin, Starling said, “Dr. Culpepper, we are grateful for your many contributions to agriculture, to N.C. State and to society. We are proud to count you as a 2014 initiate of Gamma Sigma Delta.” — Terri Leith
