The Contributions of A. E. Freeman

Abstract

Albert Eugene (Gene) Freeman completed his B.S. and M.S. degrees at University of West Virginia in 1952 and 1954, and his Ph.D. at Cornell University in 1957. In 1957, he started his professional career at Iowa State University and since 1978 has served as Charles F. Curtiss Distinguished Professor of Agriculture in the Animal Science Department. His major contributions have been the graduate students he trained; the research he has guided, conducted, and reported; the counsel on genetic improvement he has offered; and leadership of industry and academia he has provided. Freeman guided more than 55 students through Ph.D. and/or M.S. programs. These students came from many different parts of the world and a number are now in positions of leadership. They are primarily employed on university faculties and in the genetic improvement industry. Freeman's research has covered a vast range of topics and has involved a number of experimental approaches. His research has formed the basis of major improvements in dairy cattle breeding practices. He has provided leadership to the animal breeding group at Ames, the long-term regional breeding projects conducted across the Unitred States, the American Dairy Science Association, and the World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production. In recognition of his many accomplishments, he has received numerous major awards from a variety of organizations. Freeman has made a significant impact on the genetic improvement of food-producing animals worldwide through his research and counsel and through the students he has trained.