Honorary Degree Recipient
Doctor of Laws
College of Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Sciences, October 27, 2000
Willard W. Cochrane has made distinguished contributions to U.S. Farm Policy, international programs, scholarly research in his discipline, education, and service and leadership at the University of Minnesota. From the mid-1940's to the early 1960's the ideas that emerged from his research dominated national agricultural policy dialogue. His research became the source of the agricultural reforms of the 1960's and 1970's. He joined the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Minnesota as Professor in 1951 and then again as Dean of the Office of International Programs in 1965. Prior to returning to the University in 1965, he served as President of the American Farm Economics Association; Agricultural Advisor to Senator John F. Kennedy during Kennedy's presidential campaign; and as Director for Economics and Economic Advisor to the Secretary in the United States Department of Agriculture. He has received several outstanding awards and has served on numerous professional associations. His contribution continues during his retirement.
Biographies are as-of time of award presentation.