1918

"Modern history is a living sculpture deftly crafted by people with passion, drive, vision. " So begins a salute to one of Dartmouth College's distinguished alumni and president of the class of 1918, Richard P. White. As head of the American Association of Nurserymen for 25 years, Dick turned a small money-losing association into a powerful industry coalition. He oversaw progress in legislation, communications, trade practice rules, horticulture standards, and many other areas. His scientific background plant pathologymade him especially adept in dealing with the Regional and National Plant Boards. In 1939 he successfully rallied plant board members against a U.S. Department of Agriculture bid to assume sole authority for plant quarantine matters, preserving a much needed state-federal balance of power. Dick lists building a sound association, establishing leadership awards, and establishing an industry research organization as his greatest accomplishments. The Horticultural Research Institute was born a year after Dick retired from the AAN. He remained active in research activities after his retirement. He became the HRI's first administrator, serving a four-year term. For his many years of distinguished service to AAN and his keen interest in matters horticultural, Dick has received many awards, the most recent being induction into the National Land Association's Hall of Fame in 1989.

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