Bessey to be inducted into Nebraska Hall of Fame

A Nebraska visionary, Professor Charles E. Bessey (1845–1915), will be officially inducted into the Nebraska Hall of Fame at 1:30 p.m., Friday, June 26, in the Warner Chamber of the Nebraska State Capitol. Born in Ohio, Dr. Bessey was a nationally known University of Nebraska professor of botany and horticulture from 1884 to 1915 and a gifted administrator who served as acting chancellor of the University of Nebraska from 1888 to 1891 and again in 1899. When he arrived in 1884, the university was only 15 years old; the student body numbered only 373.

But Bessey’s vision was “Science with Practice,” and his belief that scientific discovery is most useful when put into practice prompted him to send botany students across the state, gathering data on the flora of Nebraska. Within two years, Bessey had convinced the board of regents to establish an agricultural experiment station to take university research to Nebraska’s citizens.

Nebraskans weren’t the only beneficiaries of this innovative approach. Bessey wrote congressional legislation requiring land-grant universities to distribute new knowledge and research to the public through agricultural experiment stations across the nation. He developed the system of modern plant classification, was president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and served on national, state and community groups promoting public education and environmental stewardship.

But it was here in Nebraska that Bessey’s impact was most strongly felt. He established one of the foremost botany programs in the country and mentored many students who became leaders and pioneers in their own fields, including plant ecology, entomology, law, medicine and parasitology.

Bessey profoundly influenced the role and scope of the University of Nebraska and its service to the public. Called a “great harmonizer,” Bessey believed that the university should provide both classical and practical education. He fought efforts in 1889 and 1915 to create two separate state universities for these purposes. Nebraska is indebted to Bessey for laying the foundation of our single, unified state university. Bessey Hall on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus serves as a lasting reminder of his impact.

The public is invited to attend the induction ceremony on Friday, June 26, at 1:30 p.m. in the Warner Legislative Chamber of the Nebraska State Capitol. A bronze bust of Dr. Bessey, created by Omaha sculptor Littleton Alston, will be unveiled. Karen Bessey, great granddaughter of the honoree, will offer remarks. Other participants will include Harold Andersen, chairman, Nebraska Hall of Fame Commission; Secretary of State John Gale; James B. Milliken, president of the University of Nebraska; Littleton Alston; Dr. John Janovy Jr., professor in the School of Biological Sciences at UNL; and Michael Smith, director/CEO, Nebraska State Historical Society. A reception will follow.

—Provided by Lynne Ireland, NSHS

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