Forwarded with pleasure from iris-species@yahoogroups.com <mailto:iris-species@yahoogroups.com>. > I am happy to pass on the news that James Waddick has been named the winner of 2014 Michael Foster Memorial Plaque from the British Iris Society. This award is named after Sir Michael Foster who was one of the first modern scientists to study Iris taxonomy. He was intensely interested in species, species crosses and their taxonomic implications. He was a mentor to Wm. R. Dykes > > This award is the highest honor of the British Iris Society and considered more prestegious than the Dykes Medal. Awarded annually, since 1927 (except for a few 'no award' years) there are currrently only four other Americans who have won this award: Keith Keppel (1993), Dave Niswonger, (2000), Terry Aitken (2008) and Robert Hollingworth (2011). Alan McMurtrie of Canada is also a recent winner (2010). This is an international award that represents people who have contributed to the advancement of knowledge of the genus Iris. > > Present and past winners represent many countries around the world as well as a wide vision of the academic science, horticulture and scholarship of Iris. Jim has published widely on Iris and other plant topics and is the recipient of many awards including four medals from the American Iris Society. He continues actively to pursue new species, new introductions and educational ventures. Congratulations Jim Waddick. > Jim Murrain > 8871 NW Brostrom Rd > Kansas City, MO 64152-2711 > USA > Zone 6a Jim Waddick is a true scientist, ever curious, who always hauls more than his load. Among the countless things he has done for plants, we saw him take on the presidency of PBS temporarily, to bridge a gap. Out of the spotlight, he is even more generous. I have watched from afar with astonishment as he shared wild samples of unknown species to grow out; arranged for others to travel in search of new species when he might have gone himself; helped to publish the work of others with whom he disagrees. Congratulations, Jim. Long may you wave. Paige Woodward