Dr. Pierzynski is a Professor of Soil Chemistry in the Department of Agronomy at Kansas State University. He got his B.S. degree from Michigan State University in 1982; his M.S. degree from Michigan State University in 1985; and his Ph.D. in soil chemistry from The Ohio State University in 1989, when he joined Kansas State University as a faculty member.

Dr. Pierzynski has made outstanding contributions in research, teaching, and service. In the area of research, he is recognized around the world for his knowledge of the chemistry of phosphorus in the soil. He and one of his students received a patent in 2002 for a method to immobilize metals in contaminated soils based on his knowledge of phosphorus chemistry. The method provides a way to stabilize lead in the soil and prevent it from contaminating the environment.

Dr. Pierzynski is senior author on a successful textbook with the title "Soils and Environmental Quality." It has been adopted by over 30 teachers across the country. He has published many refereed articles in the leading environmental journals.

Dr. Pierzynski has given much service to Kansas State University. Last summer he served as Special Assistant to the Provost and the year before that he was Chair of the Dean of Agriculture Search Committee. His service duties increased on January 1 of this year, when he became Interim Head of the Department of Agronomy.

Dr. Pierzynski has won many awards, including being named Fellow of the American Society of Agronomy in 2001 and Fellow of the Soil Science Society of America in 2003. Phi Kappa Phi is proud to present the 2006 Phi Kappa Phi Scholar Award to Dr. Pierzynski.