Longtime NDSU plant pathologist to retire

After nearly five decades of groundbreaking work in agricultural research, Gary Secor, NDSU professor of plant pathology, is retiring.

Secor joined NDSU in 1978 and quickly became a respected figure on campus. He earned his doctorate in 1978 from the University of California, Davis, and completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Montana State University. A native of Bozeman, Montana, Secor joined NDSU's plant pathology department and spent his entire career developing interdisciplinary collaborations and mentoring graduate students across multiple fields.

Secor’s research in potatoes, sugar beets, canola, flax, sunflower and other major crops has had both local and global impact. His body of work includes leading North America’s largest program in sunflower pathology, with emphasis on diseases like Phomopsis stem canker, downy mildew and Rhizopus head rot. He has also advanced rooting disease resistance and disease forecasting for canola.

Over the years, Secor received numerous accolades recognizing his contributions. At NDSU, he earned the Dahl Excellence in Research Award. Nationally, he has been honored with the Savitsky Award from the American Society of Sugar Beet Technologists and the NPC Meritorious Service Award from the National Potato Council. International recognition includes the Distinguished Service Award from the Potato Association of Chile.

In addition to his research, Secor occasionally served in leadership roles, such as potato breeding coordinator and interim director of the breeding program.

Faculty and students are invited to celebrate his career with a reception on Tuesday, Aug. 27, from 10 a.m. to noon in Loftsgard 276, where cake and coffee will be served.