Donald R. Price

For his outstanding contributions to the engineering and scientific communities, the Purdue University Schools of Engineering are proud to present the Distinguished Engineering Alumnus Award to Donald R. Price.

Vice President for Research and Professor of Agricultural Engineering
University of Florida
BSAE '61, PhDAE '71


Price bust

From his Purdue years to present

After receiving his bachelor's degree, Dr. Price attended graduate school at Cornell University and received his master's degree in 1963. he then joined Cornell's faculty as an assistant professor, becoming associate professor in 1969 and professor in 1977. He received the PhD degree from Purdue in 1971. In 1980 he joined the University of Florida as assistant dean for the university's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, and accepted his current position in 1984. As vice president for Research, and the institution's first president of the Florida Research Foundation, Dr. Price oversees a $160 million research program which includes over 3,500 faculty involved in approximately 5,000 projects. More than 100 interdisciplinary research centers report to his office. In addition to his institutional leadership contributions, Dr. Price has mad significant contributions to engineering research in the field of energy utilization in production agriculture. He is the author or co-author of more than 100 journal articles, book chapters, and technical reports.

 

  • "One important thing I remember about Purdue is that I had professors who were out there doing cutting edge research. I found that very helpful and stimulating," says Dr. Price. "The professors would talk about their projects to get us interested in the course material, and it was easier to learn in that kind of rich environment.

     

  • "Purdue has a rigorous undergraduate program that's highly respected across the country. I am always impressed by the stellar reputation Purdue has everywhere I visit."

     

Price at graduation

His advice to the graduating engineer:

"I think you have to try and get the best job you can, but be sure that it's in an area that you're interested in. It's not easy, but it's very important to put what really interests you ahead of other factors."