Hal Carter, however, through ingenuity, persistence and a low-key administrative approach, was successful in leveraging those permanent resources into a much larger sum. If the time spent by UC researchers and educators and the many external leaders who have participated in the Center's programs was included, the total resources brought to bear exceeded the Center's permanent resources by an order of magnitude. Finally, as a colleague of Hal's dating back to graduate school days, I close on a very personal note. He has always been a consummate professional, dedicated to science and education, and a believer in applying them to the practical interests of individuals and organizations. His warmth and fair-mindedness have inspired loyalty and appreciation on the part of peers and staff the sort of person you enjoy being around.
Public institutions are, of course, larger than any single individual.
But the Agricultural Issues Center will not be the same without Hal Carter. While on sabbatical leave at Davis in 1983-84, I served with Hal Carter on a committee appointed by Vice President Jim Kendrick to develop a proposal for an Agricultural Issues Center. Originally, it was to be supported with funds from the Kellogg Foundation. When the Kellogg funds failed to materialize, Kendrick decided to proceed with the Center anyway and persuaded Hal Carter to become its first director. He was the perfect choice.