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Description area
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History
Richard Wahlstrom graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1948 with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Husbandry. He then attended the University of Illinois, where he earned a master’s degree in animal nutrition followed two years later by a Ph.D. in the same field. While at Illinois, Wahlstrom served as a graduate assistant focused primarily on research. From 1951 to 1952, he pursued research with the Merck Institute of Therapeutic Research.
After his work with Merck, Wahlstrom joined South Dakota State College in 1952 to research and teach animal husbandry, a position he held until 1959. That year he was appointed Head Professor of Animal Husbandry, and in 1960 he became Head of the Department, serving until 1967. He returned again as department head for the academic year of 1987.
Wahlstrom was active in professional and community organizations, including Rotary International, the First United Methodist Church, and the American Society of Animal Science (ASAS), where he was named a Fellow. He received numerous awards during his career, including being named Teacher of the Year three times. Other honors include the ASAS Animal Management Award (1976), the SDSU Gamma Sigma Delta Award for Research (1980), the F.O. Butler Award for Outstanding Research (1986), the ASAS Animal Industry Service Award (1989), and recognition as Distinguished Professor Emeritus by SDSU (1988).