James T. Bonnen

Dr. Bonnen helped to guide the formation of policy affecting American agriculture through his work as a consultant to industry, government and foundations. He joined the family profession of agricultural economics when he received his undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University, where his father was a professor of agricultural economics. A master's degree from Duke University and doctoral studies at Harvard University under Dr. John D. Black completed his education. Dr. Bonnen joined the faculty of the department of agricultural economics at Michigan State University in 1954. From 1972 to 1974 he chaired the faculty steering committee, the hub of university academic governance. His contributions to governmental organizations began in 1963, when he was appointed to a two-year term as the senior staff economist with the President's Council of Economic Advisors. He was on the Presidential Task Force on Agriculture in 1964 and was appointed by President Lyndon Johnson as a member of the National Advisory Commission on Rural Poverty in 1966-67. In 1978 he was called to Washington to head the President's reorganization project for the Federal Statistical System.

Dr. Bonnen's recognition by the AAEA began in 1957, when he was presented with the AAEA award for outstanding Ph.D. thesis. He also won the award for outstanding AJAE article in 1965. In 1972 Michigan State University presented him its distinguished faculty award. He was named a fellow of the AAEA in 1978.