Dr. McGill was one of the most noted teachers in the history of the Ag College, now the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. He taught the genetics course while handling other assignments until he retired in 1989. During his career, he touched thousands of students, was recognized as an outstanding teacher; was an adviser to individual students and student organizations; and provided counsel to colleagues.
Presentation of David P. McGill
Tonight, we are presenting our two Honorees alphabetically, hence Dr. David P. McGill comes first.
Dave McGill was born on a Lancaster County farm in 1919. He graduated from Waverly High School, having taken most of the Vo-Ag courses offered and was active in 4-H club work.
He earned his way through Ag College, chiefly by working first in the Dairy Department and later in the Agronomy Department, along with doing off-campus yard work. He graduated in 1941. That fall, he took a position with the Soil Conservation Service in Pawnee County where he remained until 1942, when he was drafted into the United States Army.
He went overseas as Motor Officer with a Battalion Headquarters Company of the 78th Infantry Division in 1944.
One interesting incident of Dave's overseas duty was at the famous Remagen Bridge. In their hasty retreat, the Germans had failed to blow up the Bridge. Thus, the Americans gained a great advantage by being able to cross the Rhine on the heels of the retreating Germans. Subsequently, the Germans made a supreme effort to destroy the bridge with artillery and aerial bombing.
Dave's company got across except for a jeep and its trailer carrying the mortar shells and antitank rockets for one of the Infantry companies. So, Dave proceeded back across the bridge on foot to find it. When he was about halfway across, a German plane came flying at low level downstream to drop its bomb on the bridge. Had that German pilot been more accurate in releasing his bomb, Dave wouldn't be here tonight. As it was, the bomb exploded harmlessly as far as Dave was concerned. He continued his mission, found the jeep, and escorted it with its crew across the bridge to the east bank.
Having attained the rank of Captain, he returned home and was separated from active duty in April 1946.
He was immediately employed by the University of Nebraska Agronomy Department, being involved primarily in research. Meanwhile, he earned his Masters Degree at the University of Nebraska and his Ph.D. at Iowa State University.
When Dr. F. D. Keim, who had been the lead teacher in the introductory genetics course in Agronomy from the beginning, died suddenly in the Spring of 1956, Dr. McGill was asked to take over. He was 36 years old at the time. He had done little teaching, but being a talented and versatile individual, he adapted readily to his new responsibility. This was his main assignment from then until he retired in 1989. And whatever else he was assigned, teaching that genetics course always came first. He became one of the most noted teachers in the history of the Ag College, now the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.
Dave's genetics classes consisted typically of over a hundred students, including some from a number of other Colleges of the University. In 2 or 3 weeks after classes started, he would know every student by name. In evaluations by all of the students at the close of the course, he was rated 95 to 97% good to excellent.
Dave's course was not easy - and he was considered "demanding." He was famous for his oral quizzes. His presentations were considered logical and very clearly done. He kept up-to-date by reading current pertinent genetics literature, and by participating in teaching conferences and attending teaching short courses. He knew his subject to a "T," and his sense of humor served him well. In spite of the great diversity and the varying backgrounds or his students, he had the capability of bringing along all who made a reasonable effort to learn. There was no limit to the time he would spend with students who came to him for individual help. Many reported that they were really inspired by Dave's teaching.
The late Dr. William Colville, himself a Professor or Agronomy at Nebraska for 14 years, has written that Dave had "...the ability to motivate and challenge 'the dull and the bright' to want to learn." He also wrote that year after year, students ranked Dr. McGill "No. 1" on the College of Agriculture campus.
Deana Namuth, a student at the time, has written, "What has really impressed me (about Dr. McGill) is his total dedication to students. His love for teaching, regardless of the pay and the benefits, has given me the desire to someday 'walk in his shoes'."
Todd Knobel, when he was a student, wrote in support of Dr. McGill, that he could also administer admonishment when necessary. He stated, "After attending one or Dr. McGill's classes in a weary state due to a lack of sleep, I recall how he firmly spoke to me of the importance of….keeping all aspects of life in balance."
Daniel D. Smydra stated that former students were amazed at Dr. McGill's memory. Some who had been out of school for 10 years were surprised that Dave still remembered them.
Twenty years after graduation, Dr. Frederick A. Bliss who is now a Professor at the University of California at Davis, visited Dave's class. He wrote, "As a classroom teacher, Dr. McGill was unsurpassed...his students are as enthusiastic as when I was there 20 years ago."
Dr. McGill has received numerous honors. A few of these include the University of Nebraska Teaching Award; the American Society of Agronomy Distinguished Teaching Award; the FarmHouse Fraternity Builder of Men Award (a national honor); and the Lawrence K. Crowe Outstanding Student Advisor Award.
Although it is impossible to quantify the influence of a great teacher, we do know that those approximately 8,000 students who over the years took Dave's course benefitted significantly.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention Dave's responsibilities in administration. In 1963 when I was Dean of the College of Agriculture (which position is now the Vice Chancellor of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources), I persuaded Dave to join me as a half-time assistant. He now defines that position as being one of an "odd jobs artist." But, seriously, he was a wonderful help to me - I couldn't have made a better choice.
He continued to serve in this capacity under three Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources Vice Chancellors who followed me, namely, in chronological order, Acker, Massengale and Arnold. Finally, during the time Arnold was Vice Chancellor, Dave was asked to serve as Interim Head of the Agronomy Department for six months, which necessitated dropping out as Assistant to the Vice Chancellor. At the end of the six months, the University was in the throes of one of those budget reductions. Dave sensed that the faculty felt administration should join the departments in taking a cut. Accordingly he so advised Dr. Arnold along with the further request that his assignment in the Vice Chancellor's Office be terminated. Thus, ended what had been a long and most successful arrangement.
We have letters from Senator Bob Kerrey and Governor Ben Nelson to our two honorees. The Senator is being represented here tonight by Eugene Glock, State Agricultural Representative for Senator Kerrey - Please stand up, Gene and Melba Glock. Governor Nelson is represented by Lt. Governor Maxine Moul. Please stand up, Maxine.
From Senator Kerrey:
I regret that I will be unable to attend the dinner honoring David McGill and Dayle Williamson on April 16th. I do wish to add my congratulations to Dave and Dayle for the recognition you are affording them...
These two honorees exemplify the dedication required to move that research into the knowledge base and onto the land. Both of these men have remained focused on improving the productive capacity of our producers and enhancing our natural resources even during difficult periods when change encountered inertia...
I give my thanks to both Dave and Dayle for their dedication to serving our great agricultural industry and wish them the best in their future endeavors.
From Governor Nelson:
In your own ways, each of you have served Nebraska with the pride and enthusiasm that is the essence of our state. Your dedicated efforts on behalf of agriculture and the environment have touched thousands of lives and made the Good Life better...
Again, congratulations and please accept my apology for being unable to share this honor with you in person.
In closing, let me say that tonight we honor Dr. David P. McGill, a great teacher, and in a broader sense we also emphasize the importance of a good education. We are proud, Dave, to have you as an Honoree of the Hall.
