Jerry Chesness grew up on a farm in west Michigan, and when the time came, he enrolled in the Agricultural Engineering program at Michigan State College.  After three years, in need of money, he joined a local commercial diving company and was sent to Morgan City, Louisiana.  He ended up finishing his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Agricultural Engineering at LSU.  He went back to Michigan State to complete his Ph.D., and following three years on the agricultural engineering faculty at LSU, took a similar position with the ag engineering faculty at UGA in 1968.  He retired from UGA as a professor of ag engineering in 1999.

Jerry and his wife Betty have endowed a scholarship in the College of Engineering to support students majoring in ag engineering.

What attracted you to the field of agricultural engineering?

“I grew up on a farm and found the field of agricultural engineering very interesting and applicable to what I wanted to do with my life.”

What did you enjoy most about being a professor at UGA?

“I really enjoyed the small class sizes and the association between agriculture and engineering.”

“I want these students to be supported and encouraged, and I want to continue to build the relationship between agriculture and engineering.”

What was your motivation behind starting the Dr. Jerry L. and Mrs. Betty Chesness Scholarship?

“Betty and I wanted to give back to the institution that I served for many years, and we wanted to be an encouragement to today’s students in the field of ag engineering.”

What are your hopes for the recipients of this scholarship?

“I want these students to be supported and encouraged, and I want to continue to build the relationship between agriculture and engineering.”

If you could say one thing to someone who is considering donating to UGA Engineering, what would it be?

“Betty and I would encourage them to do so.  We have found it to be very worthwhile.  We are extremely proud to support ag engineering students!”