Charles Edwin Bessey Teaching Award

Dr. Charles Edwin Bessey

DR. CHARLES EDWIN BESSEY is remembered as one of the great developers of botanical education in the United States of America. In 1884, he accepted the professorship of botany and horticulture at the University of Nebraska. His work and dedication to improving the educational aspects of Botany are most noted in what Nebraskans call "The Bessey Era" (1886-1915), during which Nebraska developed an extraordinary program in botany and ranked among the top five schools in the United States for the number of its undergraduates who became famous botanists. Dr. Bessey served as dean of the University of Nebraska Agricultural College and became head dean in 1909. He served as interim chancellor for the University 1888-91, 1899 and again in 1899. This award recognizes individuals whose work has impacted botanical education at a regional, national and/or international level.