Entomology Professor Selected for National Award

Entomological Society of America

Robert Wiedenmann

Robert N. Wiedenmann, professor of entomology, has been selected for Honorary Membership for his service to the Entomological Society of America.

An honor bestowed upon members demonstrating extraordinary service to the Entomological Society of America, Honorary Membership acknowledges those who have served the society for at least 20 years through significant involvement in the affairs of the society that has reached an extraordinary level. Candidates for this honor are selected by the Entomological Society of America Governing Board and then voted on by the society's membership. 

Wiedenmann is a professor in the Department of Entomology at the University of Arkansas. He received a Bachelor of Sciemce in ecology and evolutionary biology in 1985 and doctorate in entomology in 1990, both from Purdue University. After a postdoctoral position in the biological control labs at Texas A&M University, he worked for more than a decade at the Illinois Natural History Survey.

In 2005, he became head of the Department of Entomology at Arkansas, serving until 2014, when he stepped down to return to faculty. He currently teaches the large-enrollment class — Insects, Science and Society — and a hybrid live/distance class — Advanced Applied Entomology — taught collaboratively with the University of Kentucky and Kansas State University.

He has been a member of the Entomological Society of America since 1985 and has served the society in many capacities, including program chair (2003) and president (2004) of the North Central Branch, president of the Plant-Insect Ecosystems Section (2008), local arrangements chair for the Southeastern Branch meeting (2012), and president of the society (2013). Highlights of his service include leading efforts to develop a Science Policy Initiative, placing the Entomological Society of America in the policy arena and increasing the society's visibility. He also strengthened the Student Transition and Early Professional Committee and furthered the society's efforts at globalization and diversity. He led the effort to hold the first joint branch meeting, uniting Southeastern and Southwestern Branches (2012). He has conducted research and outreach on biological control of insects and weeds and has been a critic of the potential invasiveness of bioenergy crops.

The Entomological Society of America is the largest organization in the world serving the professional and scientific needs of entomologists and people in related disciplines. Founded in 1889, the Entomological Society of America today has over 6,000 members affiliated with educational institutions, health agencies, private industry, and government. Headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland, the Society stands ready as a nonpartisan scientific and educational resource for all insect-related topics. 

Originally published at Annapolis, Maryland, on Aug. 21, 2017; www.entsoc.org/three-entomologists-earn-esa-honorary-member-status.