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CORVALLIS - Oregon State University's Department of Crop and Soil Science has awarded an endowed professorship to one of its most accomplished faculty members.

Tom Chastain was named to the George Hyslop Professorship, which recognizes research, extension and teaching activities related to the grass seed industry. Chastain researches the physiology of grass seed crops. He plans to use the endowment funds to enhance student education in the area of seed crops, and to promote student internships and undergraduate research.

"The seed industries of the region are in great need of college graduates to fill professional positions," said Russ Karow, head of the crop and soil sciences department at OSU. "Student recruiting and student education were keen areas of interest for George Hyslop and Tom's proposal was attractive and strongly supported by the Hyslop family."

George Hyslop was first to head the Department of Farm Crops at Oregon Agricultural College back in the early 1900s, and was one of the first to recognize Oregon's potential for producing seed crops.

Chastain's term in the Hyslop Professorship will begin on July 1. Carol Mallory-Smith was the first recipient of the Professorship and Mark Mellbye the current holder.