Kee Named Ratledge Award Recipient for 2005

Ed Kee, vegetable specialist for University of Delaware Cooperative Extension and an instructor in the department of plant and soil sciences, received one of two 2005 Ratledge Family Awards for Delaware Public Service. The Ratledge family established the award to recognize the contributions of University of Delaware community members to the well-being of all Delawareans. The $1,000 award is intended to encourage and recognize significant public service by faculty, staff and students.

“Public service is a central part of the University of Delaware's overall mission,” UD President David P. Roselle said during the award ceremony at the Courtyard on the Newark campus. “In fact, of the University's three major roles—teaching, research and service—it is service that has the most direct daily impact on the citizens of Delaware and the surrounding area.”

“Those who devote their careers to public service confront an academic culture that sometimes praises service but doesn't often recognize its value or what it really means—or rewards it like excellent teaching or research,” said Jeffrey Raffel, Charles P. Messick Chair of Public Administration and director of the School of Urban Affairs and Public Administration, who chaired the Ratledge Family Award selection committee. “Thanks to the Ratledge family, we now have an event to recognize the role that public service plays in our colleges, the University of Delaware and across our state.”

“Getting the award is an absolute thrill, and it's appreciated because Delaware and the University are very special to me,” Kee said. “We all try hard to do what we do and this kind of recognition is very nice.”

Kee has been with UD's Cooperative Extension system since 1978, serving as the Kent County agricultural agent and state vegetable crops specialist before assuming his current position. He also serves on the Delaware Heritage Commission, the board of the Delaware Agriculture Museum, the Delaware Commission on Banking and the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association. In 1995, he received the George M. Worrilow Award for Outstanding Service to Agriculture by a UD graduate.

“Ed's work has enhanced the position of Delaware's vegetable producers and processors in a highly competitive industry,” Robin Morgan, dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, said. “Since 1978, when Ed came on board, Delaware has seen a 10,000-acre increase in vegetable production, and this has resulted in an increase in cash farm income of $15 million. He didn't do it by himself, but he led some of those efforts.”