AMES, Iowa – Larry A. Nielsen, professor emeritus of natural resources at North Carolina State University, will present the 2024 William K. Deal Leadership Lecture Oct. 8, at Iowa State University.
His presentation, “Fowl, Fish and Forest – Leadership Lessons from Great Conservationists,” will begin at 7 p.m. in Dolezal Auditorium, 0127 Curtiss Hall, on Iowa State’s campus. The event is free and open to the public.
According to Nielsen, while the present may seem stressful for the environment and sustainability, we should not fear because “our world is better today than in the past, and it will be even better in the future.”
Nielsen said if people follow the leadership of great conservationists such as Ding Darling, Billy Frank Jr. and Wangari Maathai, a sustainable and beautiful world can be achieved.
“Their passion, persistence and use of partnerships led them to extraordinary success. All we need to do is be like them,” he said of the conservationists.
Nielsen earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Illinois, master’s degree at the University of Missouri and doctoral degree from Cornell University. He spent 40 years as a faculty member and administrator at Virginia Tech, Penn State and North Carolina State University before retiring in January 2018.
With a passion for teaching, Nielsen has instructed many courses about natural resources and related topics over the years. His teaching efforts have been recognized through the Excellence in Fisheries Education Award from the American Fisheries Society and being inducted into the North Carolina State Academy of Outstanding Teachers.
Nielsen is a renowned public speaker known for his story-telling ability, humor and optimism. He has written six books, including two mystery novels.
The William K. Deal Leadership Lecture is made possible by its namesake, the late William K. Deal, who earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education from Iowa State in 1958. The lecture is organized by the Department of Agricultural Education and Studies in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and co-sponsored by the Committee on Lectures funded by the Government of the Student Body.
Contacts
Jamie Stowe, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Development, 515-294-7741, jstowe@foundation.iastate.edu
Whitney Baxter, Agriculture and Life Sciences Communications, 515-294-2314, wjsager@iastate.edu