Jim Herbert, who transformed University of Tennessee agriculture studies, dies at 83

Keenan Thomas, Knoxville News Sentinel
·2 min read

James "Jim" L. Herbert, a University of Tennessee at Knoxville graduate and major donor, especially to the Herbert College of Agriculture, died March 16 at 83.

Herbert is remembered for his generosity to the university and his pioneering biotechnology work in food and animal safety. UT announced the news of his death March 18.

In 2018, UT renamed the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources the Herbert College of Agriculture after Jim Herbert and his wife, Judi Herbert, made a "transformational" donation to the college.

“Jim Herbert loved the University of Tennessee - and it always showed,” UT Knoxville Chancellor Donde Plowman said in a UT release. “He was generous with his time, his support and his leadership. He was an advocate for higher education and a role model for all Volunteers. In addition to his generous support for agriculture, he and Judi supported many parts of the university, including the College of Arts and Sciences. He will be deeply missed and his legacy will live on in the thousands of lives he impacted.”

In 2017, the Herberts started the Jim and Judi Herbert Excellence in Writing Endowment for tutoring, services and workshops. In 2019, UT named a writing center after Judi Herbert.

The couple received the UT Philanthropists of the Year award in 2016.

Raised on a Memphis farm, Jim Herbert attended the flagship university to study agriculture while living and working in a greenhouse on campus. He and his wife met while attending UT. He graduated in 1962 with a bachelor's degree in animal husbandry, and Judi Herbert graduated in 1963 with an English degree.

Jim Herbert later earned honorary degrees from Michigan State University and Queen’s University of Belfast, Ireland.

In 1982, he co-founded Neogen, a biotechnology company focusing on food and animal safety, diagnostic testing, genome studies and sanitation.

He stepped down as CEO in 2017 and retired in 2020 after almost 40 years with the company. He lived in Lansing, Michigan, where the company is based.

Jim and Judi Herbert have served on several boards at UT, including the UTFI Alliance of Women Philanthropists and the UTIA Agriculture Development Board.

Judi Herbert is still a member of the College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Advisory Board and an associate member of the UT Foundation Board.

Judi Herbert, left, and Jim Herbert, right, at the Judith Anderson Herbert Writing Center dedication on Oct. 11, 2019. The Herbert College of Agriculture was named for the couple in 2018. Jim Herbert died on March 16, 2024, at 83.
Judi Herbert, left, and Jim Herbert, right, at the Judith Anderson Herbert Writing Center dedication on Oct. 11, 2019. The Herbert College of Agriculture was named for the couple in 2018. Jim Herbert died on March 16, 2024, at 83.

“We will miss his energy, tireless support of agriculture and friendly spirit,” UT Institute of Agriculture Senior Vice Chancellor and Senior Vice President Keith Carver said, adding that Jim Herbert was an “outstanding ambassador for the use of technology to improve lives.”

The Herberts continuously gave back to UT and their community in Lansing over the years, including the Herbert-Herman Cancer Center at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing.

Jim Herbert is survived by his wife, Judi Herbert, children, Scott and Melissa, and several grandchildren.

Keenan Thomas is a higher education reporter. Email keenan.thomas@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter @specialk2real.

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Jim Herbert, University of Tennessee agriculture college donor, dies