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Two generations, one professor

Alumni Distinguished Professor Bob Patterson has taught many students in his career with the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, but it’s a rare thing to have taught one Crop Science alumnus and his son as well.

At Saturday’s graduation reception, Patterson joined respected agronomist and alumnus Wayne Nixon and Wayne’s son, Tyler, to celebrate Tyler’s graduation.

“Being able to see the passion for learning how to put food on the table in a healthy manner, and the human dimension that the father passed down to his son, has given me the experience any teacher at a land-grant institution welcomes: the opportunity to learn alongside two generations of one of North Carolina’s finest farm families,” Patterson said.

With a newly-conferred B.S. in plant and soil sciences,Tyler leaves soon for a Plant Science Internship at Walt Disney World Company, based at the Agricultural Sciences at Epcot.

“What a blessing to have been able to work – inside and outside the classroom – with both Wayne and his splendid son Tyler,” Patterson said. “Also, to know that both students took full advantage of the opportunities our precious university has provided. And to know with certainty that our university’s investment will continue to be passed along – in many healthy directions!”

– Kaki Carl