North Dakota State University will recognize Frank “Ed” LeGrand, the only living graduate from its first class of doctoral students, at spring commencement on Saturday, May 11, at 10 a.m., at the Fargodome.
LeGrand, who studied agronomy, was one of five students to earn the first doctoral degrees from NDSU 50 years ago. The other four doctoral graduates in the class of 1963 were:
- Taki John Anagnostou, Chemistry
- Lola V. Hopkins, Pharmacy
- Jerome A. Onsager, Entomology
- Sol Shulman, Paint Chemistry
After completing his doctorate, LeGrand worked as a professor at Oklahoma State University, where he was well known for his knowledge and expertise in wheat production agriculture. He held Extension meetings in every county in Oklahoma and wrote many articles related to wheat production. He wrote extensively about the agricultural production of several crops adapted to Oklahoma.
Named professor and director of Oklahoma Pedigreed Seed Services in 1979, LeGrand also provided leadership and direction to Oklahoma Foundation Seed Stocks Inc. and the Oklahoma Crop Improvement Association. He held that position until his retirement in 1994.
LeGrand lives in Stillwater, Okla., where he farms and ranches 1,000 acres. He has received the Governor’s Conservation Award twice for his conservation practices.
In 1963, when LeGrand graduated, NDSU offered five doctoral degree programs. Today, NDSU offers 50 doctoral degree programs, 86 master’s degree programs and 12 certificate programs. Graduate education underlies the emergence of NDSU as a national research institution as recognized by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.
The graduating class of 2013 includes 123 professional doctoral and research degree recipients and 175 master’s degree recipients.
NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.