Edmond Bonjour has received the Distinguished Achievement Award in Extension from the Southwestern Branch of the Entomological Society of America for his leadership and the impact of his work in entomology. The award recognizes those who have demonstrated excellent performance through program creativity, impact, achievement and delivery.
A senior Extension specialist with Oklahoma State University Extension and director of OSU’s Oklahoma Agricultural Leadership Program, his career has spanned more than 40 years. He was instrumental in enhancing the Integrated Pest Management program for stored grain at OSU. He was also a leader in the management of the Stored Products Research and Education Center at OSU where he led numerous training sessions.
“It’s exciting to be acknowledged by my colleagues in the ESA for my work in Extension,” he said. “I’m honored to be recognized by the whole region.”
This Southwestern Branch award qualifies him as a candidate for the national award that will be presented later this year at the national Entomological Society of America meeting. ESA consists of five branches, all of which select a Distinguished Achievement Award winner for consideration for the national award.
Bonjour has been a member of the organization since 1986. He has judged posters and papers and served as a moderator for oral presentations. He has also served on numerous committees, including the local arrangements committee for planning regional meetings. In addition, he has been the official photographer for the Southwestern Branch for 20 years.
Wizzie Brown, an Extension program specialist with Texas A&M Agrilife, said Bonjour continually demonstrates dedication and innovation in his work.
“He provides high-quality, relevant research and outreach that improves the lives and health of the people of Oklahoma,” she said. “He has built a diverse and impactful Extension program that reaches a wide audience, providing educational programming on Integrated Pest Management of stored product pests and fumigation.”
Bonjour said a favorite aspect of his career has been working with and serving as a mentor for students of all ages.
“I’m able to interact and plant a seed in the grade school students who come to the Insect Expo at our Southwestern Branch meetings by talking about different careers in entomology,” he said. “And, I get to moderate sessions with college students. I enjoy listening to them explain their research. These are things that broaden my background.”
Michael Toews, associate dean for Extension at the University of Georgia, was a graduate student at OSU when he met Bonjour, who managed the lab where Toews worked.
“Edmond was the first person to review every document, poster and presentation that I produced as a graduate student,” Toews said. “His helpful suggestions and eye for creative design fostered tremendous growth in my professional abilities. We have continued as professional collaborators in our respective roles as state stored grain Extension specialists.”
Bonjour said his ESA membership is important because it helps him learn about both the research and Extension sides of the entomology field and meet people outside his specialty area.
“This is helpful because I get calls and emails on a lot of different topics,” he said. “It’s important for me to know who the experts are if the question is outside of my area. The other members are great resources to which I can refer.”
A native of Iowa, Bonjour earned his bachelor’s degree in biology and mathematics from Wartburg College and his master’s degree in entomology from OSU.
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