High expectations, high technology and exceptional empathy for students are the shared characteristics of the Purdue Agriculture faculty and staff honored by the university and the college for outstanding teaching, counseling and service to learners both on campus and beyond.

Oseto

Chris Oseto, professor of entomology and director of the University Honors Program, earned the university’s highest undergraduate teaching honor, the Charles B. Murphy Award. Oseto, a Purdue faculty member since 1990, has received outstanding teacher awards from the College of Agriculture and from the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture organization. He also has been inducted into the Purdue Teaching Academy. One student said Oseto’s teaching “raises the bar of excellence for both his own teaching and what he expects of his students.”

Oseto’s name will be included in the engraved Book of Great Teachers, a plaque in Purdue Memorial Union that honors the best teachers throughout Purdue’s history.

Kathryn S. Orvis, assistant professor in the Departments of Youth Development and Agricultural Education and Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, won the university’s Award for Excellence in Distance Learning, Best Credit-Granting Program. Orvis was honored for her distance-learning course, entitled “Horticulture 590G: Introduction to Agricultural Biotechnology.” The course is designed to teach grade school teachers, who often are unable to return to campus for advanced training, the science and issues behind biotechnology.

College awards

Assistant Dean and Associate Director of Academic Programs in Agriculture Allan D. Goecker was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his many years of service to the faculty, staff and students of Purdue Agriculture. Despite having heard every reason in the world for failing grades, missed deadlines and class absences, read one citation about Goecker: “You respond in a pleasant and reasoned fashion as if you were hearing a new problem, because you recognize that it is unique in the view of the student. We appreciate your caring demeanor and genuine interest in making each student’s experience here as pleasant and rewarding as possible.” Goecker is primarily responsible for and recently led the team that published the five-year outlook for employment in the U.S. agricultural industry.

Kirby D. Hayes, assistant professor of food science, earned the College of Agriculture Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award. The primary reasons for his nomination: A reputation for setting high expectations for students; effective teaching to help students meet those expectations; and consistently high student evaluations.

Allen Talbert, associate professor of youth development and agricultural education, was recognized as the college’s Richard W. McDowell Outstanding Academic Counselor. His genuine concern for students’ well being, open-door attitude and interest in their professional development were the reasons given for his selection.

Mary Welch, assistant director for Purdue Agriculture’s Office of Academic Programs, won the outstanding service to students award for going beyond expectations in her efforts to help students find their place in the College of Agriculture. Known for her warmth and friendliness, Welch was nominated for helping students solve both personal and academic problems.

Jim BeMiller, a professor in food science and founder of the Whistler Center for Carbohydrate Research, won the college’s top award for graduate student educator. Major professor for
19 master’s and doctoral students, BeMiller was cited for helping students learn to find their own solutions and developing their professional networks.