Dr. Michael Bechtel, assistant professor of science education at Wartburg College, will attend the invitation-only dedication of the Dr. Norman E. Borlaug statue Tuesday, March 25, in the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.
Borlaug, who received an honorary degree from Wartburg College in 2003, is one of only three people to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the Congressional Gold Medal. The Cresco native is widely regarded as the father of the Green Revolution for his work to alleviate hunger and malnutrition through the production of high-yielding wheat varieties.
In 1986, Borlaug created the World Food Prize, an international award recognizing the achievements of individuals who have improved the quantity, quality, or availability of food in the world. The honor is awarded annually during the Norman E. Borlaug International Symposium in Des Moines.
Bechtel has worked with the World Food Prize Institute for nearly two decades, including bringing the WFP Youth Institute to Minnesota and Wisconsin — a first for both states. He also has taken students to the conference, mentored participants who presented research at the WFP Global Youth Institute, and assisted with forming the Minnesota regional World Food Prize Youth Institute. Three of his students received a paid eight-week Borlaug-Ruan International Internship that allowed them to work with renowned scientists and policymakers at leading research centers worldwide, including Melissa Fox, a 2007 graduate.
“I love the program, enjoyed being around Dr. Borlaug, and have supported World Food Prize endeavors for years,” Bechtel said. “One of the highlights of attending the annual World Food Prize program has always been the people you meet — from Peruvian farmers to Monsanto CEOs to Nobel Peace Prize recipients to national legislators and international dignitaries.”
The bronze statue will be placed in the National Statuary Hall Collection at the U.S. Capitol Building where each state is represented by two statues of notable citizens. Borlaug’s statue, which will be installed on his 100th birthday, will replace a statue of U.S. Sen. James Harlan and join the statue of Gov. Samuel Kirkwood.