Stephen J. Hiemstra (Phd) chronicles his early life, schooling, military service, and service in the federal government. In this rages-to-riches story, read about how an Iowa farm boy finds love, earns a doctorate, serves this country, combats hunger, advises presidents, and starts the first doctoral program in hospitality anywhere,

Stephen is a Professor Emeritus at Purdue University and former Senior Research Fellow in the School of Business and Public Policy at George Washington University. He is the founder and Director of the hospitality Ph.D. program in the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Purdue University.

Stephen grew up on a mixed, grain-livestock farm in near Oskaloosa, Iowa. He is a graduate with a bachelors and master's degree from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. He received his doctorate in agricultural economics at University of California at Berkeley in 1960, after service in the U. S. Air Force. He is currently retired and living in Reston, Virginia.

The cover image is Claude Monet's Boulevard des Capucines, 1873-1874. Oil on canvas. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, Missouri. Purchase: the Kenneth A. and Helen F. Spencer Foundation Acquisition Fund, F72-35. (http://www.Nelson-Atkins.org).

Heart he words; Walk the steps; Experience the joy!

What people are saying... 

His role in the evolution of USDA's programs that now feed millions of Americans should not be understated. There is much more to learn and enjoy in this very readable journey of a very productive life.

John E. Lee, Jr., Retired Administrator and Professor Emeritus

As we learned from Dr. Stephen J. Hiemstra, life is a journey where we travel from moment to moment, from research to education, from government to university, from discovery to discovery.

Hailin Qu, Professor, Oklahoma State University

Dr. Hiemstra was a brilliant thinker, problem solver, patient with those who didn't have his intellect, and a man of God. He was a statesman, leader, and, more importantly, my friend.