David Pimentel, professor emeritus of ecology and agriculture at Cornell, was awarded an honorary doctor of science degree from his alma mater, the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, during its undergraduate and graduate commencement ceremonies, May 23-24.

Pimentel was cited as an internationally recognized authority on interactions between humans and the environment, who urges policymakers to "consider the future while there is still time to make meaningful changes to enhance sustainability, ensure the food supply and create innovative technology for energy production."

He was also cited for having written two-dozen books and some 600 scientific articles and serving on such committees as the National Academy of Sciences, the President's Science Advisory Council and the congressional Office of Technology Assessment.

Pimentel earned his B.S. degree from UMass-Amherst (1948) and a Ph.D. from Cornell in 1951.