Birthday celebration held for MU Ag Journalism legend Dick Lee
By Jessica McCormack, posted 12/02/05

“You don’t get rich from money, but from all the friends and people you get to meet,” Dick Lee said, as former colleagues, former students, and friends gathered in celebration of his 80th birthday on Nov. 18, 2005 in the Agriculture building.

 “I don’t ask for birthdays, they just keep coming around,” Lee jokingly said.

Approximately 30 people were on hand to celebrate Lee’s birthday. Most of who were current or past employees and students of the agricultural journalism department. It was very apparent that the strength and quality of today’s agricultural journalism program would not have been possible without the previous guidance and organization from Lee.

During Lee’s 34-year career at the University of Missouri, he spearheaded the agricultural journalism program, and helped to jumpstart programs that provided education in the workplace, for example the Agricultural Communicators Conference, Agricultural Photo School and Investigative Reporting in Agriculture. Lee is professor emeritus of extension education, and has received a Citation of Merit for 50 years of service to agricultural education and journalism. Despite retirement, Lee has continued his work as a communications consultant for Commercial Agriculture.

Lee is full of knowledge about the agriculture industry and is still so eager to teach those around him. He closed with some simple words of wisdom for current students in the agricultural journalism program.

“All in all, Ag J is a good, solid background for any undertaking…whether you want to be a lawyer or pursue any other career, it is great to have, simply because you are a better communicator,” Lee said.

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