Released: Dec. 8, 2016
Berger named 2016 K-State Animal Sciences & Industry Distinguished Alumnus
Professor and researcher served at University of Illinois and University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Larry Berger, this year’s Kansas State University Department of Animal Sciences and Industry Distinguished Alumnus, has had a notable career as a researcher, professor and department head. Berger was recognized for his accomplishments and presented the 2016 Distinguished Alumnus Award Wednesday, Dec. 7 in Weber Hall on the K-State campus.
Through the years, Berger has received numerous awards for teaching and research. His research emphasis was on the use of protein and energy nutrition and animal management techniques to improve the production efficiency of beef cattle. He was author or co-author of more than 330 research publications and was nationally recognized for research excellence with the American Society of Animal Science Ruminant Nutrition Award.
He served on a National Research Council subcommittee to produce the 1996 Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle. He made five trips to consult with feedlots in China, and gave invited presentations in seven countries.
A native of Waterville, Kansas, he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in animal science from K-State in 1973 and 1975, respectively. He was on the livestock judging team.
Berger began his faculty career at The University of Illinois after receiving his doctoral degree in ruminant nutrition from University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1978. He was at Illinois for 31 years and then in 2009 was named animal science department head at UNL.
“Larry is uniformly respected by his fellow scientists because he has technical excellence in nutrition and he has combined this with a great understanding of animal agriculture,” said Evan Titgemeyer, K-State animal science graduate program director and research coordinator. “Because of Larry’s technical expertise, research excellence, inviting personality and unquestioned integrity, throughout his career at Illinois he was always at the forefront of any nutrition-focused beef industry challenge, the result being that he always provided science-based solutions with both applied and basic understanding of both the problem and solution.”
Berger retired in July 2016 from UNL. He and his wife, Sue now live in Champaign, Illinois. The couple has three children — Eric, Nadia and Austin.
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