BUTLER/CUNNINGHAM

This page introduces Eugene Butler and Dr. Emory Cunningham, and briefly describes their contributions to Auburn University.

This site will change from time to time. Basic organization will remain constant.

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BUTLER/ CUNNINGHAM HISTORY

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Eugene Butler and Dr. Emory Cunningham

Mr. Eugene Butler was the long-time editor of the Southwest version of Progressive Farmer Magazine. His father began the magazine about 1900, and it has since grown into a major chronicler of agricultural activities in the nation. Besides American rural life, Eugene Butler loved baseball.

Dr. Emory Cunningham graduated from Auburn University, receiving his degree in Botany. He was the President of Southern Progress Corporation, which published Progressive Farmer Magazine and Southern Living. For twelve years he served as a trustee of Auburn University. He was an avid gardener, and a landscaper. He helped design the setting for the offices of Southern Progress Corporation and the grounds for his extensive family home, both near Birmingham. He was keenly interested in wise use of the environment and in outdoor beauty.

Eminent Scholar(s) in Agriculture and the Environment

The endowed positions for various Eminent Scholars at Auburn University resulted from a program of the Alabama legislature in the 1980s. Mr. Eugene Butler and Dr. Emory Cunningham jointly contributed the majority funding to establish an Eminent Scholar in Agriculture and the Environment under that program. Specifically, they contributed money through the Auburn University Fund, and the position is administered through the College of Agriculture. Since their initial endowment, the position has become largely self-sustaining. According to the position announcement, the primary responsibilities of the Scholar are to develop strong research, teaching, extension and outreach programs that integrate agricultural and environmental issues for improving the quality of life in rural and urban communities. The scholar will be expected to collaborate with faculty and students in various disciplines and established programs to develop those projects and to seek extramural support for those projects. Targeted programs may include:

-Effects of agriculture on water quality, biological diversity and other environmental parameters.

-Environmental education.

-Enhancement of ecological stability in areas such as parks, forests or human communities, especially at the rural/urban interface.

The first Butler/Cunningham Eminent Scholar in Agriculture and the Environment was William Davies, a Fisheries scientist, of the Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures, who had the position from about 1991 to 1995. In collaboration with Dr. William Deutsch of the Fisheries Department, Dr. Davies helped to start and promote Water Watch (please see their website at www.alabamawaterwatch.org). This outstanding program was a national pioneer in promoting organized citizen action for the environment; in training citizens to gather research-quality data; and in fostering cooperation between citizens, business groups, and government agencies. It has led to many students in Alabama learning about the environment and actively participating in monitoring the environment. It continues strongly today.

The current scholar is Claude E. Boyd, also of the Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures. Dr. Boyd's term is five years. For more information on Dr. Boyd and his activities, please see the link to him through the Home Page.

Other Activities Facilitated by Butler/Cunningham

Dr. Emory Cunningham contributed significantly to establishing the Environmental Institute of the College of Agriculture of Auburn University. For more information on that Institute, please see its website through the website of the College of Agriculture, or contact the current Director, Dr. L. Upton Hatch.

Claude E. Boyd, the current Eminent Scholar, and the Environmental Institute jointly have begun a series of annual Forums on aspects of the environment and/or agriculture. Each year will be guided by a different theme. The forums will feature frequent guest speakers from outside Auburn Univeristy. The theme for the school year 2001-2002 was "Food Safety". The Eminent Scholar and the Environmental Institute have also instituted a series of lectures on topics of environmental importance, held every month during the school year. The topic for the school year 2001-2002 was "Water Quality". Further information on both these series can be found at this website as available.