Teaching
Teaching in the Department of Entomology falls into three categories, namely four-year undergraduate students, graduate students, and short-course students. Undergraduate students interested in entomology take the "Preparation for Research" curriculum with elective courses in entomology; their training stresses a strong background in the basic sciences in preparation for specialized training in graduate school. Most students in the College of Agriculture take at least the introductory course in entomology required, of course, for all entomology majors.
For graduate students a wide range of courses is offered, with emphasis on fundamental studies of insects-their structure, identification, development, and physiology-a fundamental training which has long been the objective of the department. Under Headlee a series of six credit courses were offered; more recently the department has not only split these courses into smaller units but has added courses in history, medical entomology, economic entomology, and field methods to give students an opportunity for a wider selection of courses. Courses in insecticides and apiculture have been offered for many years. A few courses are offered jointly with other departments; for example, "Arthropods and Human Disease," and "Plant Viruses and Their Insect Vectors." The more diversified list of courses which the Entomology Department has offered since 1944 is reflected in the department's increased graduate enrollment since that date.
One of the attractions of students to graduate work in a specialized field is the opportunity it holds for good positions once their graduate work is completed. By and large the department's role in placing graduate students has been a gratifying one. Students have been placed in good positions where they like their work—and have appreciated the department's efforts in courses of study and its interest in student welfare.
The department also participates in the regular 12-week short course in agriculture with Filmer and Hamilton teaching entomology for sections in fruit growing, vegetable growing, and landscape gardening. From time to time staff members are also called on to teach in other short courses and clinics, as, for example, during the war when Schmitt and Mulhern offered a course in Sanitary Entomology as part of the training of officer candidates for the Sanitary Corps.
In 1944, at the request of the N.J. Pest Control Operators Association, short courses in pest control were started. Schmitt, with the assistance of various staff members and other persons, has directed a program of technical and practical training which has had a noticeable effect in improving the services of this industry in the state.
Extension
Teaching growers and other groups how to cope with their insect problems has always been a vital part of Department of Entomology activities. Under the direction of both Headlee and Pepper, all staff members have taken an active part in extension activities through the past years, but, it was not until 1949 that the first full-time extension entomologist, Ordway Starnes, was appointed. Starnes with the cooperation of all staff members quickly developed a comprehensive program, particularly on insects affecting vegetables. In 1953, when Starnes was appointed Assistant Director of the Experiment Station, Leland G. Merrill, Jr. took his place as extension entomologist.
Staff (1955–1956)
- Bailey B. Pepper, Professor of Entomology, Chairman
- Byrley F. Driggers, Professor
- Robert S. Filmer, Research Specialist
- Clyde C. Hamilton, Associate Professor
- Joseph M. Ginsburg, Associate Professor
- John B. Schmitt, Associate Professor
- Elton J. Hansens, Associate Professor
- Lyle E. Hagmann, Associate Professor
- Daniel M. Jobbins, Associate Research Specialist
- Philip Granett, Associate Research Specialist
- Martin T. Hutchinson, Associate Research Specialist
- Philip E. Marucci, Associate Research Specialist
- John P. Reed, Associate Research Specialist
- Leland G. Merrill, Associate Extension Specialist
- Andrew Forgash, Assistant Research Specialist
- Paul B. Burbutis, Associate Research Specialist
- Harold C. Chapman, Research Associate
- Billy R. Wilson, Research Associate
Staff (1888–1954)
- Rev. George D. Hulst: l888–1889
- John B. Smith: 1889–1912
- Augusta E. Meske*: 1893–1940
- John A. Grossbeck: 1902–1910
- Herman, H. Brehme: 1902–1913
- Ethelbert W. Stafford: 1911
- Raymond S. Patterson: 1911–1913
- Henry H. Brehme: 1911–1916
- Thomas J. Headlee: 1912–1944
- Charles H. Richardson: 1913–1915
- Charles S. Beckwith: 1914–1931
- Alvah Peterson: 1916–1925
- Mitchell Carroll: 1918–1920
- James Wallace Thompson: 1918–1920
- Wilbur N. Walden: 1920–1924
- Carl Ilg: 1921–1937
- Willem Rudolfs: 1921–1925
- Ray Hutson: 1922–1930
- Louis Stearns: 1924–1927
- Carl D. Jones: 1925–1926
- Bonnie R. Fudge: 1927–1929
- Robert S. Burdette: 1928–1935
- Frank Miller: 1928–1932
- Thomas D. Mulhern: 1928–1949
- Charles A. Doehlert: 1930–1931
- Henry Menusan: 1940–1941
- Charles L. Smith: 1944–1945
- George W. Barber: 1946–1948
- John Belkin: 1946
- Clifton A. Wilson: 1946–1948
- Stanley Carpenter: 1947
- Ordway Starnes: 1949–1953
- Eleanor B. Starnes: 1951–1953
*Appointed Assistant Entomologist in 1926.