By Andi Anderson
Marshall and Berdine Martin, long-time supporters of Purdue University’s College of Agriculture, have endowed two new faculty chairs to support early-career professionals in agricultural economics.
The chairs are titled the Berdine Martin Food Economics Early Career Professorship and the Marshall Martin Agricultural Science and Technology Policy Early Career Professorship. These positions are designed to retain young, high-quality faculty members at Purdue and provide them with the resources necessary for success.
The Martins’ journey began decades ago on family farms in Illinois. The couple met at Iowa State University and embarked on a shared mission to improve agriculture and food security worldwide. After working as missionaries in Bolivia, they sought graduate education at Purdue University, where both completed master’s and doctoral degrees.
The Martins’ professional careers have left a lasting impact. Marshall Martin became a prominent faculty member at Purdue’s Department of Agricultural Economics, conducting research and teaching in areas such as agricultural policy and technology adoption.
Berdine Martin, a distinguished researcher in nutrition science, focused on calcium metabolism and bone health, contributing to the USDA’s dietary recommendations.
In their retirement, the Martins have continued to contribute to their community and Purdue. The establishment of these two faculty chairs is their latest philanthropic effort, aimed at encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration to solve complex global challenges in agriculture.
Through these positions, they hope to break down academic silos and inspire a new generation of leaders in agricultural economics.
With a legacy of service, teaching, and research, the Martins have set the stage for the continued growth of Purdue’s agricultural programs. Their contributions will support faculty and inspire future advancements in agricultural science and policy.
Photo Credit: purdue-university
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