Musser Foundation Honors MSU’s McCurdy

STARKVILLE, Miss. – Dr. James D. McCurdy, assistant professor and turfgrass extension specialist at Mississippi State University, recently earned the 2014 Award of Excellence recipient from the Musser International Turfgrass Foundation.

The award is given to outstanding Ph.D. candidates who, in the final phase of their graduate studies, demonstrate overall excellence throughout their doctoral program in turfgrass research.

McCurdy received his B.S. degree in Plant and Soil Science from University of Tennessee, Martin. He went on to earn h.is M.S. at University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He received his Ph.D from Auburn University where he worked with Scott McElroy and wrote his dissertation on "The Effects and Sustainability of Legume Inclusion within Warm-Season Turf Swards".

McCurdy said he will continue to work with his students at Mississippi State University to prepare them for careers in turfgrass management while he continues to conduct applied and basic research.