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Michigan State University
215 Farrall Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824
Phone: 517-355-4720
Fax: 517-432-2892
MSU | Contact Us | Site
Dr. Benson J. Lamp
College of Engineering
Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient
The department takes great pride in congratulating Dr. Benson “Ben” Lamp in receiving the College of Engineering Distinguished Alumni Award in Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering. Established in 2004, this award is given to alumnus who has distinguished himself/herself as a leader in the biological/agricultural engineering profession through professional contributions, public service, and personal accomplishments. Alumni who have graduated at least ten years ago with an undergraduate and/or graduate degree are considered.
Benson Lamp, of Dublin, Ohio, is president and general manager of BJM Company, which deals in land development, rental buildings, and farming. He retired in 1992 as a professor emeritus from Ohio State University, where he had earlier earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agriculture and agricultural engineering. He was awarded a PhD. degree in 1960 from Michigan State University. He was employed in OSU’s agricultural experiment station from 1949 to 1961 and 1987 to 1992. In 1956, students in the College of Agriculture chose him to receive the Professor of the Year award. Ben conducted early soybean harvesting research and demonstrated more efficient harvest systems. Some of his other research contributed to improvements in farm safety, including identifying slow-moving vehicles. He detected a design flaw in portable farm elevators that allowed them to collapse under certain common conditions. Based on Ben’s recommendation, all elevators manufacturers took corrective action.
Between long periods as an educator and researcher, Ben mad a foray into industry. He was an agricultural research engineer for two years for Massey Ferguson, then was a an executive in Ford Tractor Operations and Ford Aerospace for m1963 to 1987. Between 1971 and 1973, he lived in Brussels and marketed Ford tractors in Europe. He also made seven trips overseas to develop business relations with the People’s Republic of China. Ben coordinated worldwide marketing and business plans for Ford Aerospace, which included the design and launch of the first satellite systems for India.
Ben was named a distinguished alumnus by both Ohio State and Michigan State Universities and is a member of Tau Beta Pi and Gamma Sigma Delta. A member of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers, Ben is both a past president and a McCormick-Case Gold Medal honoree. The National Academy of Engineering cited him for “Research and development of harvesting machinery and commercialization of agricultural equipment worldwide.” He is also a member of CAST (Council of Agricultural Science and Technology) and the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, which recognized him as a “brother of the century” during the 2004 Century of Progress celebration.
Ben and his wife, Jane have four children, all graduates of MSU, one a chemical engineer. They have 10 grandchildren, whom Ben describes as “athletes and scholars.” Ben’s hobbies are golf and bridge. The Lamps enjoy membership in three country clubs - one in Ohio, one at Hilton Head, South Carolina, and one in Venice, Florida.
2005 Alumni Awards Recipients List >>
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Food Engineering | Ecosystems Engineering
