ELLISVILLE – Jones College’s Alumni Association and Foundation’s expanded Alumni recognition program honored 10 alumni, including “Rising Stars,” Hans Van Houten of Moselle and Sawyer Taylor of Laurel during Homecoming celebrations on October 19, 2024. Additionally, two alumni, John Reynolds Clark, a native of Waynesboro and current Ellisville resident and Dr. Benjamin P. Stevens of Laurel each received the “Achievement and Excellence Award.” Three Jones College alumni, Dr. Jeffrey E. Carter of Laurel and current New Orleans resident, and Ben and Erin Napier of Laurel were honored as “Outstanding Alumni of the Year.” Michael and Katye Howard of Ellisville received the Distinguished Service Award and Dr. Larry Guthrie, a native of Bullock County, Alabama and current Watkinsville, Georgia, was recognized as the “Legacy Award” recipient.
“It gives us great honor and pleasure to recognize these remarkable achievements and the success of our alumni, across a diverse array of fields, who have embodied the values and the excellence that Jones College represents,” President of Jones College, Dr. Jesse Smith said at the Alumni Luncheon during Homecoming festivities. “Their contributions to their communities have led to a lasting legacy for future generations and their accomplishments describe our motto inspiring greatness, perfectly.”
The Legacy Award spotlights an alumnus of Jones College who has illustrated over the years continued support with consistent contributions as well as someone who has made an impact in their field of study to honor the college. For the last five decades, Dr. Larry D. Guthrie’s pursuit of academic excellence and research in the dairy industry has had a far-reaching impact on the dairy products we enjoy at a reasonable price, Smith acknowledged before an audience of alumni and friends during the Homecoming Alumni Luncheon. His lifetime commitment to the industry and his exceptional service to his community has honored the college, earning the 84-year-old the Legacy Award.
“I won’t even say this (Legacy Award) was a dream come true because I’ve never had this as a dream. Thank you and God bless,” Guthrie shared. “More importantly, I want to give credit where credit is due. Rachel, my wife and my family gave me the liberty to do what God had called me to do. God didn’t reveal it all at one time, and that’s what he does. He gives you a little bit of what you’re able to do with the time, and the confidence to handle those situations. Looking back, you don’t know that at the time either. You just have to trust him and keep plowing on.”
Guthrie’s determination to get an education in Mississippi led him to hitchhike from his hometown in Bullock County Alabama to where he had two cousins who played for Holmes Junior College in the 1950s, but he heard Hinds Junior College may have a football scholarship for him. He was offered a partial scholarship from the football coach, however, when a family friend, and Jones Junior College Board of Trustees member, Shelby Shows heard of the offer, he insisted that he try-out at Jones. After a close call of being cut, Guthrie earned a full-tuition scholarship and what he calls the catalyst to his football success, and offers to McNeese State College, which led to LSU and meeting his wife at JC.
“I was playing football and was able to maintain a ‘B’ average. I wasn’t an ‘A’ student, but the quality education and foundation right here at Jones Junior College prepared me for McNeese and McNeese followed through and prepared me for Auburn University, and Auburn University prepared me for LSU, and LSU prepared me for the world. I’ve also been to several countries to share my experience. I’ve been blessed, because if it had not been for Jones Junior College, we wouldn’t be having this meeting today,” explained Guthrie.
He began his education in 1957 at Jones Junior College on a football scholarship which earned him a football scholarship at McNeese State University. In 1960, he married Rachel Todd which he met at Jones. Guthrie graduated from McNeese in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture and Business. He began his graduate work at Auburn University, as a research assistant in the Dairy Science Department. After earning his master’s degree in Dairy Cattle Nutrition, the couple moved to Baton Rouge to join the LSU Dairy Science Department as a Research Associate and to earn his Ph.D. During his career, he pioneered the establishment of safe limits for feeding whole cottonseed to high-producing dairy cows with his research being published in the Journal of American Dairy Science, which led to more modifications in the dairy industry. Additionally, Dr. Guthrie collaborated with various international organizations including the U.S. Feeds Grains Council, Rockefeller Foundation and the U.S.D.A.
In 1997, he was awarded with several prestigious awards including the Agri Laval Dairy Extension Award. Upon retiring in 1999 from the University of Georgia, Guthrie was promoted to the rare title of, Professor Emeritus.
One of his most cherished recognitions happened after his retirement in 2005, when the Georgia Junior National Livestock Show’s Catalog was dedicated to him for his work in initiating the Dairy Heifer Show for 4H and FFA Youth. Furthermore, he was named “Honoree of the Year” in 2022, for his contributions to all 19 commodities the Georgia Farm Bureau represents.