The Purdue University Department of Economics has created a new video to highlight the career of David Downey and the creation of the Dr. W. David Downey endowed chair in agricultural sales and marketing.
“The W. David Downey Chair in Agricultural Sales and Marketing is a new chair in our department of agricultural economics, and it really has two purposes,” says Jay Akridge, Purdue professor, in the video. “To ensure that the work that we do here in agricultural sales and marketing, one of the strongest areas in our department, and to work more broadly in agribusiness, continues literally into perpetuity.”
Downey developed the first agricultural sales and marketing program in the U.S., reaching over 10,000 students and shaping agribusiness education across more than 80 institutions. Throughout his career, he has been globally recognized with numerous awards for his contributions to teaching, research and industry leadership.
“Dave was constantly looking for ways to bring what he learned in the industry into the classroom and help our students be better prepared for the work world,” Akridge continues.
This endowed chair sustains Purdue’s leadership in agribusiness education and represents an opportunity to carry forward Dr. Downey’s legacy in teaching, research and industry leadership. It will fund research in farmer decision-making, sales processes and marketing strategies.
