Dr. John Mortensen moved to Florida in 1960 to join the University of Florida’s Central Florida Research and Education Center. During a 30-year career at the center, he left an indelible mark on Florida agriculture through his grape-related research. As a geneticist, Mortensen’s research resulted in the development of grape varieties in Florida’s climate. His...

William Travis Loften attended the University of Florida where he obtained a bachelor’s of science degree and a master’s degree in agricultural education. That coursework laid the foundation for him to take a leadership role in Florida’s educational system. He exerted leadership for 43 years as a teacher, state supervisor and teacher/educator in agriculture. His...