Centennial Celebration in Days!

History of Excellence - Future of Promise

APS Centennial Activities Underway

You probably have noticed at previous annual meetings some of the excellent results of the Centennial Planning Committee’s efforts. This year their projects continued in Quebec City, with a special session on the history of mycology and a tour of Grosse Ile, an island where Irish emigrants were quarantined during the Irish potato famine years. Additionally, the production of an oral history DVD to reflect on the past 100 years and speculate on the future began in Quebec City. This year, the nematologists will present a special session on the history of their discipline.

All of this is leading up to 2008, when there will be some truly “special” sessions. These will include a capstone history session, a report on the status of women and minorities in plant pathology, a look at our science in 1908 vs. 2008, and a “crystal ball session” looking towards the future of our science. You also will be able to enjoy several unique displays created for the centennial, including a 100-year timeline of our science and our society and a display featuring historical instruments, photographs and documents. You’ll be able to take a trip down memory lane as you look over the t-shirts from past APS meetings (vote for your favorite!) and to take a short trip to the Science Museum of Minnesota to see a display designed to introduce plant pathology to the public.

There are also some special centennial products in the works: a 2007-2008 calendar with images of famous diseases and scientists, an oral history DVD with interviews of prominent plant pathologists as well as “scientists on the street,” and a booklet on the history of APS. The calendar will be available in San Diego in 2007 and the DVD and booklet in 2008.

Additionally, a newly appointed Centennial Coordinating Committee  met recently to bring together the leadership of three major components for the celebration and to map out a unique approach for the pinnacle of the event – the annual meeting. This group is looking at bringing in world-renowned scientists in a number of different fields to address national and global issues related to agriculture, identifying new approaches for traditional meeting activities and building in additional opportunities for networking and collaboration. It’s certain to be a world-class event you won’t want to miss.

The APS membership is an important part of ensuring this Centennial celebration is successful. We encourage you to continue to submit your ideas or contact any of the members of the coordinating and planning committees with suggestions.

APS has been a global leader in advancing the scientific knowledge base of plant diseases and their management and will continue to be a leader in the next 100 years. We look forward to you being a part of this historic event by participating in the Centennial celebrations!
 

APS Centennial Coordinating Committee
The APS Centennial Planning Committee
APS Scientific Program Board 

APSnet Home ● About APS ● Journals & News ● APS Member Area ● Careers & Placement ● Education Center ● Online Resources ● Calendar ● Meetings ● Media/Public Affairs ● APS Press ● APS Foundation ● Member Directory ● Directories & Rosters ● APS Interactive ● Join APS! ● Contact APSnet