Dr. Kurt R. Anschel: Lifetime achievement award

Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Aug 2002

Dr. Anschel contributed 31 years of service to agricultural economics, beginning at the University of Kentucky in 1965 and retiring in 1996. He obtained an A.B. in Economics from Oberlin College (1958) and a B.S. in Farm Crops (1959) and an M.S. (1961) and Ph.D. (1965) in Agricultural Economics from Michigan State University.

Dr. Anschel taught both undergraduate- and graduate-level agricultural economics courses, with very favorable student response. In addition to teaching, Dr. Anschel served the University's Patterson School of Diplomacy. Most of the Patterson graduate students had attended liberal arts colleges at which the subject of agricultural economics was not covered. For students who wanted to prepare for careers in Third World development, Dr. Anschel's courses were essential. He soon became the Patterson School's main person in the field of international development. Another crucial service Dr. Anschel provided for his students was to get them placed in internships and entry-level positions during their transition from the university to the workplace. He did this well because he was so highly regarded by key individuals in government and international offices in Washington, in New York, and abroad.

In research, Dr. Anschel consistently cast himself in the primary role of problem formulator and interpreter. In the areas of rural and international economic development, he conducted research that many across the nation used as a springboard to further research. Dr. Anschel's research focused primarily on areas related to the improvement of the situation of the economically deprived, whether domestic or overseas. His work in domestic rural development examined migration, labor flow, education, and other issues concerning the eastern regions of Kentucky as well as the entire Appalachian region.

Dr. Anschel was the University of Kentucky, Department of Agricultural Economics' director of graduate studies for 10 years, from 1975 to 1985. These were known as the "golden years" of the graduate program. Dr. Anschel cared about students, whether domestic or foreign. He went the extra mile to ensure that they were as comfortable as any graduate student in the program could be. He made them feel at ease without ever compromising the high standards he required. He made certain that they had the tools to succeed at whatever they chose to pursue. He also insisted that other faculty live up to his high standards. During his long stewardship, his strong commitment to academic excellence was leavened with an unmatched concern for the individuals he encountered.

Dr. Kurt Anschel passed away on June 11, 2000. He made powerful and enduring contributions in teaching, applied research in rural development, and service to the Department and the University. His legacy lives on. He was a wonderful person, a dedicated professional, a counselor, and a friend. Those of us who knew him are stronger professionals and better persons for the values and wisdom he brought to our professional training and to our personal lives.