Dr. Marcus Stanley Zuber was born January 10, 1912 in Gettysburg, South Dakota to John and Mary Maas Zuber. He received a bachelor's degree in agriculture from South Dakota State University in Brookings and a master's degree and doctorate, both in agronomy, both from Iowa State University in Ames. He was professor emeritus of agronomy at the University of Missouri-Columbia. He was employed as a research agronomist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture form 1946-1970 and was stationed at MU.
Dr. Zuber was well known for his contributions to corn breeding. His development of tools and techniques and genetically improved populations or inbreds resulting from his research was released to hybrid corn breeders for utilization and improvement of hybrids grown by farmers. Corn inbred lines released from his USDA-ARS project at the University of Missouri, especially Mo17, contributed to the rapid adoption of single-cross corn hybrids having wide adaptability. His development of techniques for measurement or root and stalk strength provide more effective selection tools for hybrid and population improvement, and are now applied in public and private breeding programs.
Marcus S. Zuber was Beta Sigma Psi, Iota Chapter's first faculty advisor at the University of Missouri and served as advisor from 1963-1979. In addition to Beta Sigma Psi, Dr. Zuber was a member of the University of Missouri's Campus Lutheran Church, Golden K Kiwanis Club, the Association of Retired Agricultural Professors and many professional organizations. He received many honors including the MU Faculty Alumni Award in 1972 and Outstanding Educator of America in 1973. In 1983, South Dakota State University conferred an honorary Doctor of Science degree upon Dr. Zuber.