Michael Barrett, professor and chair of the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences in the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, recently received the highest honor bestowed by the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) for his outstanding contributions to the field of weed science.

Barrett was named a WSSA Fellow, which only one quarter of one percent of the membership can be selected for in any given year.

The award was presented during WSSA’s 49th Annual Meeting at Orlando, Fla. in February.

“Our annual WSSA awards program honors individuals from around the globe who are all-stars in their profession,” said Jeffrey Derr, president of WSSA.  “They conduct breakthrough research, promote weed science education, or devote their time and energy to the profession in other significant ways.”

Barrett, who joined the UK faculty in 1983, expressed his thanks to the WSSA selection committee.

"I remembered being asked on my first job interview what I hoped to achieve in my career and answering that I hoped to gain the respect and recognition by my colleagues in the field of weed science for my accomplishments," said Barrett.  "I am overwhelmed by the realization that this award represents my achievement of that goal."

A further sign of the respect Barrett commands is his election this year as vice president of WSSA.  He will serve as president of the society in 2011.

The Weed Science Society of America, a nonprofit professional society, was founded in 1956 to encourage and promote the development of knowledge concerning weeds and their impact on the environment.