ALABAMA TURF TIMES

Having worked at Auburn University (AU) for 30 years and nearing retirement, an opportunity was presented to Dr. Beth Guertal to get involved in significant international work. So, she retired from AU in 2022 a little earlier than expected to take advantage of this exciting possibility. She accepted a post with Kansas State University as Program Director for the Center of Excellence on Mitigation, Adaptation, and Resilience to Climate Change in Haiti. Currently, Dr. Guertal is responsible for managing the center’s day-to-day operations and serving as a leader in the national education, research and outreach community. While it promises to be challenging and exciting, Dr. Guertal says she certainly misses her Auburn colleagues.

She has long been a tour de force at Auburn University, as well as in the turfgrass industry in the Southeast. She received Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Agronomy from THE Ohio State University and went on to earn a PhD from Oklahoma State University. With a PhD in Soil Fertility, Beth was hired in 1993 by Auburn University’s School of Agriculture, Department of Agronomy and Soils (today, Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences), to do research and teach in that area, with a focus on Vegetable Crop production.

Dr. Guertal stayed in that position until 1998, when AU offered faculty with 25 plus years at the University generous retirement packages. “Pretty much the entire turfgrass team at AU (Drs. Coleman Ward and Ray Dickens) took the retirement offers, leaving AU turfgrass department with no one around (except, of course, the fabulous Dr. Pat Cobb). My department head came down the hall to my office and announced that Dr. Harold Walker would be moving to turfgrass weed control, and that I would take over general turfgrass research, including teaching the courses. I had a LOT to learn, and Dr. Walker really gave me a ton of help.” Beth believes the secret to success is to “show up early to every job and meeting; always give your best; and admit if you have no idea what you are doing. Generally, people love to provide advice and help.” Besides Dr. Walker doing just that, others also helped her to make a success in her new position like her Department Head, Dr. Joe Touchton and fellow professor, Dr. David Teem. “Joe was the best department head, as he was fair to everyone, had an amazing grasp of the financial budgets and knew everybody in the College. More importantly, he knew our stakeholders, and the agricultural power brokers in the state.”

Over time, her position within the turf program grew and allowed for significant opportunities for travel and engagement with a wide range of people across the state, nation, and world. “It has helped me so much to grow as a person.” However, the least fulfilling aspect of her job, Beth found to be getting funding for her programs. Funding was always needed to pay for her own salary, as well as the technicians’ salary, costs of running the turfgrass unit, and salaries for graduate students. Over the years, Dr. Guertal proved to be a stalwart researcher and teacher. Her hard work and dedication were rewarded when in 2017, she was named the Auburn University College of Agriculture’s Rowe Endowed Professor. The endowed professorship was established by 1978 Auburn alumni Mike and Leann Rowe to support tenured faculty who have demonstrated strong commitment to students, teaching, research and service.

At Auburn University Beth says she “loved, loved, loved teaching. Really, any kind of teaching. Students are simply the best, even when they are busily screwing something up. Their enthusiasm, love of new things and general upbeat demeanor made every day different and fun. I really do miss the students, in my new job.” The current Alabama Turfgrass Association President, Ben Williams had the following to say about Dr. Guertal, “Dr. Guertal was my academic advisor and multi-class professor. If you never had the opportunity to meet Dr. Guertal, let me tell you, you missed out on knowing one of the most passionate people in the turfgrass industry. The energy that she brought every day made everyone around her excited about discussing, debating, studying, and learning turfgrass. She encouraged, mentored, and cared for every student that wanted to achieve a career in turfgrass. I will never forget one time when I got a question wrong on one of her tests. I approached her about the question, and we debated. Eighteen years later, I still remember the topic involved best management practices of thatch removal. While she entertained my thoughts, to my disappointment she disagreed with my answer, but did so with a smile. I still remember that encounter after so many years because of the attention and honest reflection she gave my argument. Afterwards, I felt relief, having first thought this debate might have upset her; but to the contrary, I soon learned she encouraged this type of discussion with those in her classes. Thank you, Dr. Guertal, for your dedicated service to our turfgrass industry in the many capacities that you touched over the years while at Auburn University. Thank you for all the research and knowledge you bestowed on turfgrass professionals everywhere, and thank you especially for your guidance and influence that gave your turfgrass students greater passion for the turfgrass industry.”

Beth remains a member of many turfgrass organizations including Alabama Turfgrass Association, Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, Sports Turf Field Association and others, continuing to present and give talks within those groups. Just last year, Beth was awarded the 2022 Crop Science Society of America Presidential Award, which is given to the person that CSSA thinks has most served the Society. “This was a complete surprise, and I was very honored.”

As a member of St. Dunstan’s Episcopal church, Beth contributes to ‘St. Duns Buns’ baking group. “This group takes monthly orders for baked goods, and the proceeds from the monthly sales are donated to charities around town. In 2022, we donated over $15,000 to various groups. I will say that my ‘white chocolate pistachio biscotti’ is a top seller!” In her leisure time, Beth also runs and likes to go mountain biking.

Beth has been married for 27 years to Brian Anderson and they reside in Auburn. They have two sons – Sam Anderson (20 – at AU majoring in Biosystems Engineering) and Will Anderson (22 – an Ensign in the United States Coast Guard currently serving on the USCG Polar Star breaking ice in Antarctica).

“My time at Auburn University was a blast, and a great deal of that enjoyment was due to the ATA. From the annual shows (AU to Birmingham to Mobile to Biloxi, I’ve done them all), to all the driving for the Turfgrass Road Shows it was a great time with great people!”

Her colleagues recognized her talents and commitment as well and had these comments about her:

Dr. Jim Jacobi, Auburn Cooperative Extension Service:

“Beth was an excellent teacher and researcher. We already miss her input and contributions to the ATA and the Alabama turfgrass industry.”

Lee McLemore, CGCS, The Country Club of Birmingham:

“I remember when Beth was hired. It was soon after Dr. Ray Dickens and Dr. Coleman Ward retired. There was some concern about the direction and commitment to the turf program. There was a small group of concerned turfgrass professionals and we were in contact with the university and encouraging them to make a great hire. We soon heard hints that a young lady from Oklahoma State was a strong candidate. I contacted Dr. Jim Baird who was headed to Oklahoma State after finishing his Masters and PhD at Auburn to get his opinion. He, along with everyone I talked to, said that Beth was smart, enthusiastic, and would bring a lot of energy to the turf program. They all were correct!”

Dr. Jay McCurdy, Mississippi State University:

“I met Beth in 2009 when my wife and I moved to Auburn. She proved to be a valued colleague and friend. Beth is plugged in to a lot of professional communities—not just turfgrass. She is captivating when discussing something she’s passionate about. She knows her science. She communicates well, and she’s fun to be around. These qualities have earned her professional acclaim and life-long devotees—I count myself among them. Beth’s door was always open, and she’d take anyone’s phone call. I wish her well in “retirement,” even though she’ll never retire. I know our association and others will miss her presence and collegiality.”

The post Alabama Turfgrass Association – Beth Guertal, Ph.D. Accepts Job with New Challenges and Opportunities, but Misses her Students and Colleagues at Auburn University appeared first on The Turf Zone.