PERSONNEL: ASU TAPS KRUSE OUTSTANDING ALUMNUS

Charles Kruse, president of the Missouri Farm Bureau Federation, and a Stoddard County farmer, was this year's Outstanding Alumnus of Arkansas State University College of Agriculture.

Kruse received the word during the recent College of Agriculture honors banquet.

Kruse earned a bachelor's degree in agronomy at ASU in 1967, moving to the University of Missouri to earn a master's degree in agronomy.

"It was a thrill to be honored with this award," Kruse said. "I hold many memories of my days at Arkansas State University."

Kruse has held several prominent positions since graduating from ASU. He was appointed as Missouri director of agriculture in 1985 and was director six years before assuming duties as chief executive officer of the North American Equipment Dealers Association.

He was elected president of the Missouri Farm Bureau in 1992.

Kruse has served as a brigadier general and assistant adjutant general in Missouri's Army National Guard, and has served on several state and national commissions and boards.

He is a member of the board of directors of the American Farm Bureau Federation and the national commission on 21st Century Production Agriculture.

Kruse and his wife, Pam, continue to farm near Dexter, Mo., where they raise row crops and cotton.