At age 85, professor emeritus Lowell S. Hardin, BS ’39, has been working for Purdue University on and off for 60 years, and he still isn’t ready to call it quits.

“I have no plans to recede into my rocking chair and watch the world go by,” says Hardin. “As long as I am in good health and feel welcome here, I’ll probably take up a bit of office space.”

Hardin has been taking up office space at Purdue — and putting it to good use — since 1943, when he joined the School of Agriculture faculty. He was head of the Department of Agricultural Economics from 1953 until 1965, when he took a one-year leave to work at the Ford Foundation.

He helped the foundation set up an agricultural development program in Latin America to increase food production for the hungry. That was his first full-time involvement in international agriculture.

When his year with the Latin American program ended, Hardin had to decide whether to move back to Indiana or to continue working for the Ford Foundation. His wife, Mary, persuaded him to stay.

“My efforts to persuade him to stay with the Ford Foundation were a result of a heartwarming and successful first year in this challenge,” Mary says. “We have always enjoyed getting to know international friends, so here was an extended opportunity.”

In 1981, Hardin retired from the Ford Foundation and returned to Purdue as emeritus professor of agricultural economics and assistant director of International Programs in Agriculture (IPIA).

By maintaining an office at Purdue, Hardin is able to share with his colleagues and with students the knowledge he has gained from his travels to more than 50 countries. He also maintains the friendships he has made around the world.

One of his friendships is with Norman Borlaug, known as the father of the Green Revolution. For most of the past five decades, Borlaug, from his base in Mexico, has led research and training programs in wheat production and the techniques of high-yield agriculture throughout the developing world. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970.

Hardin recruited Borlaug to address the overflow audience at the 2003 Ag Alumni Fish Fry on Feb. 14.

With all of the endeavors that Hardin has taken on through the years, he shows no sign of slowing down.

“I find engagement in the international arena in this period of globalization both stimulating and rewarding,” he says. “While I am no longer directly involved in the action, colleagues here at Purdue take me there vicariously.”

Mike Stitsworth, associate director of academic programs in the IPIA office, describes Hardin’s involvement this way:

“I have never met anyone who has managed to keep current any better than Lowell. I read the Wall Street Journal every day and often discuss articles with him — not only has Lowell already read them, but he can also tell me about the Economist’s take on the same topic, because he’s read that too.

“It’s always fun for me to introduce people to Lowell, whether it’s an undergraduate trying to answer a question, or a visiting faculty member. When they first meet Lowell, I can see that they are thinking, ‘Who is this old guy, and what could he possibly teach me?’ I’ll come back an hour later and find them still talking to Lowell, just enthralled, because they recognize him for the treasure that he is.

“He is one of those rare persons who understands the past, but whose vision of the future is more important than his memories.” n

Hardin’s passion for international agriculture and development in other countries shines throughout his work. Mary sees a priceless quality in her husband: “I feel that Lowell has invaluable help to share with people in developing countries. Not every agriculturist has this ability.”

Hardin’s co-workers and friends also see this special quality.

“He has been an inspirational teacher and mentor to several generations of agricultural researchers and leaders,” Borlaug says. “His contributions have truly been outstanding, and the world is a better place thanks to his untiring efforts to help feed a hungry world.”

Hardin still keeps up with the developments in international agriculture. He also is planning more of the IPIA brown bag seminars that he originated to foster interdepartmental communication about agricultural research. And he is writing anecdotal supplements to a book that he wrote in 1999, Memoir of an International Farmer.

During his free time, Hardin enjoys spending time with his grandchildren, reading biographies and mysteries, and watching football and basketball. He also volunteers his time at Westminster Village, a retirement community in West Lafayette, where he is president of the board of directors of its foundation.

Contact Hardin at lhardin@purdue.edu n

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