The Entomology and Plant Pathology Department was saddened by the news of the passing of Dr. Carroll J. Southards on January 2, 2019. Southards joined the department (previously called Ag Biology) in 1965 as an assistant professor in Nematology. In 1974, Southards became head of the department of Ag Biology and under his leadership, the departmental name was changed to the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology.

During Southards 20+ year tenure as department head, the department grew and flourished. Among his achievements were increasing diversity within the department and the development of departmental programs that assisted the citizenry of Tennessee. He also served as counselor to the President of the UT System from 1979-1981. Faculty, staff and students considered him to be a great leader, a faithful mentor, and a good friend. When faculty visited with Southards looking for money to support research, teaching or travel, they would hear his all-too-famous speech about how “you can’t get blood from a turnip” and then Southards would help them any way he could. He will be dearly missed.