On Tuesday, December 4, the Danforth Center celebrated the generosity of a special group of Friends with a luncheon honoring participants in the Donald Danforth Society's "Research Sponsor" program.

Members of the Donald Danforth Society support generously the annual fund of the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. Their gifts are among the Center's most valuable resources, for they provide the Center with flexible, unrestricted resources necessary to set its own priorities and respond to opportunities uncovered by its scientists. The valued members are in the tradition and philanthropic spirit of Donald Danforth, Sr., and Donald Danforth, Jr..

Friends of the Danforth Center who join the Danforth Society at the Ambassador level or above have the opportunity to participate in the "Research Sponsors" program, one of the benefits of which is attending "Research Sponsors" luncheons to meet Danforth scientists and learn more about their research.

Danforth President and Principal Investigator, Dr. Roger Beachy, and Chairman, Dr. William H. Danforth, welcomed Research Sponsors to the December 4 luncheon. Danforth Principal Investigators Drs. Joe Jez, Toni Kutchan, and Chris Taylor were also in attendance.

Commenting on the luncheon, Dr. Beachy noted that "Improving the human condition through plant science research is the Danforth Center's mission. The support of Danforth Society Research Sponsors makes that mission possible and sharing our science at events like this makes our success more meaningful."

After dining in the Danforth Center Board Room, Research Sponsors donned lab coats adorned with gold stars (one star for each year of Danforth Society membership at the "Research Sponsor" level) and took private tours of the scientists' labs.

"What a great opportunity to become involved with the Danforth Center!" enthused attendee Newell S. "Jim" Knight. "Lab tours led by the scientists themselves are a terrific way to really learn about the science in a personal way and share in the scientist's enthusiasm as a researcher at the Center. My wife Janet and I love the opportunity to meet other supporters of the Center and to get an insiders understanding of some of the remarkable research carried on in pursuit of the Center's mission. As we leave each luncheon we already are looking forward to learning more at the next."

For more information about the Donald Danforth Society or the "Research Sponsors" program, contact Laura Kozak in the Office of Development at 314-587-1235.