This year, the department awarded the honour to Dr. Pearse Lyons, the founder and president of Alltech, a global animal health company headquartered in Nicholasville and with a presence in 128 countries.
Lyons, who founded the company in 1980, is widely recognised as an entrepreneur and innovative industry leader. His nominator said Lyons is a strong supporter of the UK Department of Animal and Food Sciences, and that through his efforts, the Alltech/UK Nutrition Research Alliance and the Alltech/UK Center for Nutrigenomics were created. Additionally, more than 55 PhD students at the University of Kentucky have been supported by Alltech.
“Dr. Lyons is a strong supporter of graduate education at the University of Kentucky, and he has provided financial support for many graduate assistantships and for postdoctoral fellows in all disciplines,” said Dr. Anthony Pescatore, UK extension poultry specialist, who nominated Lyons for the honour. “Through his annual symposium and through the World Equestrian Games, Dr. Lyons continues to present Kentucky animal agriculture in a positive light throughout the world. Having a global company in close proximity to our department provides opportunities for faculty, graduates and students that few programmes in the world have.”
Induction into the Hall of Fame represents the highest honour that the Department of Animal and Food Sciences can bestow.
Source: Alltech
