May 2015

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From the Dean

Jay AkridgeThis issue of InFocus is devoted entirely to celebrating all our award winners in the College of Agriculture throughout the 2014-2015 academic year.

Congratulations to all of our award and recognition recipients, and thanks to all of those who supported our winners in the classroom, put together award nominations, or were involved in the process in some way. We work hard to make sure everything is included here, but if we missed any award winners, let us know!

Hard as it is to believe, another very busy academic year has come to an end. Thanks very much to all of you for all you do for Purdue Agriculture. Have a great summer!

All the best,

Jay

 


Fellows and Select National/International Awards

Sylvie BrouderSylvie Brouder, Agronomy: Appointed to Environmental Protection Agency's chartered Science Advisory Board

 

 

 

 


Bernie DahlBernie Dahl, Horticulture and Landscape Architecture: 2015 Fellow of the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA)

 

 

 


Gebisa EjetaGebisa Ejeta, Agronomy: 1) Appointed to UN Director General’s Scientific Advisory Board; 2) Elected to the African Academy of Sciences

 

 

 

Bernie EngelBernard Engel, Agricultural and Biological Engineering: Fellow of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers

 

 

 

 


Raymond FloraxRaymond Florax, Agricultural Economics: Fellow, Regional Science Association International

 

 

 

 

Bruce HamakerBruce Hamaker, Food Science: Fellow, Institute of Food Technologists

 

 

 

 

 

Joseph IrudayarajJoseph Irudayaraj, Agricultural and Biological Engineering: American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering College of Fellows


 

 

 

 

Monika IvantysynovaMonika Ivantysynova, Agricultural and Biological Engineering: Fellow, American Society of Mechanical Engineers


 

 

 

 

Kevin KeenerKevin Keener, Food Science: Fulbright Distinguished Fellowship, U.S. Department of State


 

 

 

 

Michael LadischMichael Ladisch, Agricultural and Biological Engineering: 1) Fellow, National Academy of Inventors; 2) Appointed to the board of directors of the Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research (FFAR).


 

 

 

Kevin McNamaraKevin McNamara, leader of the Afghanistan Agricultural Extension Project: 2014 Secretary’s Honor award for Global Food Security, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture


 

 

 

Haley OliverHaley Oliver, Food Science: 2014 Excellence in College and University Teaching Award For Food and Agricultural Sciences, New Teacher category, US Department of Agriculture


 

 

 

 

Fred WhitfordFred Whitford, Botany and Plant Pathology: Fellow Award, American Association of Pesticide Safety Educators

 

 

 

 



University Awards and Recognitions

Faculty

Joe AndersonJoe Anderson, Agronomy, Award for Excellence in Distance Learning

 

 

 

 


David BarbarashDavid Barbarash, Horticulture and Landscape Architecture: Teaching for Tomorrow Fellowship Award

 

 

 


Ryan CabotRyan Cabot, Animal Sciences: Teaching for Tomorrow Fellowship Award

 

 

 

 

Larry DeBoerLarry DeBoer, Agricultural Economics: Charles B. Murphy Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching

 

 

 

 

Gebisa EjetaGebisa Ejeta, Agronomy: Morrill Award

 

 

 

 

Abigail EngelberthAbigail Engelberth, Agricultural and Biological Engineering: Teaching for Tomorrow Fellowship Award

 

 


 

Levon EstersLevon Esters, Youth Development and Agricultural Education: Erin Slater Mentoring Achievement Award

 

 

 

 

John GraveelJohn Graveel, Agronomy, Award for Excellence in Distance Learning

 

 

 

 

 

Klein IlelejiKlein Ileleji, Agricultural and Biological Engineering: Entrepreneurial Leadership Academy Fellow

 

 

 

 

Douglass JacobsDouglass Jacobs, Forestry and Natural Resources: CIC Academic Leadership Program Fellow

 


 

 

Keith JohnsonKeith Johnson, Agronomy, Award for Excellence in Distance Learning

 

 

 

 

 

Ian KaplanIan Kaplan, Entomology: University Faculty Scholar

 

 

 

 

Shihuan KuangShihuan Kuang, Animal Sciences: University Faculty Scholar

 

 

 

 

 

Michael LadischMichael Ladisch, Agricultural and Biological Engineering: Morrill Award

 

 

 

 

 

Roberto LopezRoberto Lopez, Horticulture and Landscape Architecture: University Faculty Scholar

 

 

 

 

Elizabeth MaynardElizabeth Maynard, Horticulture and Landscape Architecture: Scholarship of Engagement Award

 

 

 

 

 

Suzanne NielsenSuzanne Nielsen, Food Science, Teaching Academy

 

 


 

 

Aaron PattonAaron Patton, Horticulture and Landscape Architecture: Purdue Graduate Student Government Faculty Mentor Award

 

 

 

 

Marisol SepulvedaMarisol Sepúlveda, Forestry and Natural Resources: University Faculty Scholar

 

 

 

 

Wally TynerWally Tyner, Agricultural Economics: Morrill Award

 

 

 

 

 

Holly WangHolly Wang, Agricultural Economics: Entrepreneurial Leadership Academy Fellow

 

 

 

 

Rod WilliamsRod Williams, Forestry and Natural Resources: Scholarship of Engagement Fellow

 

 

 

 

Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) Team: Corps of Engagement Award

Corrinne Alexander, AGEC; Dieudonné Baributsa, ENTM; Carole Braund, IPIA; Natalie Carroll, YDAE; Heather Fabries, IPIA; Joan Fulton, AGEC; William Horan, Purdue Extension; Katy Ibrahim, IPIA; Jess Lowenberg-DeBoer, AGEC/IPIA; Lisa Mauer, FS; Amanda Mosiman, Purdue Extension; Larry Murdock, ENTM; George Okantey, Purdue Extension; Jacob Ricker-Gilbert, AGEC; Maria Restrepo-Turner, Purdue Extension; Charles Woloshuk, BTNY

 

Staff

Kelly DelpKelly Delp, Agriculture Development Office: Student Organizations Advisor of the Year Award

 

 

 

 

Bruce EricksonBruce Erickson, Agronomy, Award for Excellence in Distance Learning

 

 

 

 

 

Graduate Students

Gabriella MorelloGabriella Morello, Animal Sciences: 2nd place Graduate School 3 Minute Thesis competition

 

 

 

 

Undergraduate Students

Allyson EnglishAllyson English, Agricultural Economics: Emily Mauzy Vogel Experience Award

 

 

 

 

Emily EricksonEmily Erickson, Biochemistry: France A. Córdova Leadership in Action Award

 

 

 

 

no photo availableIvanna Gomez, Agricultural and Biological Engineering: Emerging Leader Award

 

 

 


Cameron MannCameron Mann, YDAE/AGEC: Appointed to Purdue University Board of Trustees

 

 

 


McCord SniderMcCord Snider, Youth Development and Agricultural Education: Emerging Leader Award

 

 

 

Allison TurnerAllison Turner, NRES: France A. Córdova Leadership in Action Award

 

 

 

 

 

Brian WaglerBrian Wagler, Agricultural Economics: Emerging Leader Award

 

 

 

 

These College of Agriculture students have been elected to membership in Phi Beta Kappa:

Seniors: Allison Culp; Emily Erickson; Ryan Louer; Iva Na; Samuel Schaffter

Juniors: Jaycey Hardenstein; Kathleen Krawczyk; Danielle Meneely; Quinton Nannet



College Awards and Recognitions

 

Faculty

David BarbarashDavid Barbarash, Horticulture and Landscape Architecture: Richard L. Kohls Outstanding Early Career Award

 

 

 

 

Kevin KeenerKevin Keener, Food Science: Spirit of the Land Grant Mission Award

 

 

 

 

 

Linda LeeLinda Lee, Agronomy: Outstanding Graduate Teacher/Mentor Award

 

 

 

 

Gary SteinhardtGary Steinhardt, Agronomy: David C. Pfendler Outstanding Undergraduate Counselor Award

 

 

 

 

 

Purdue Agriculture 2015 TEAM Award:Useful to Usable (U2U) Team

TEAM Award

Agricultural Economics: Otto Doering, Ben Gramig and Paul Preckel 
Agronomy: Dev Niyogi 
Forestry and Natural Resources: Linda Prokopy and Melissa J. Widhalm 
Purdue Extension: Hans Schmitz
ITaP Research Computing: Larry Biehl, Christopher Panza, Carol Song and Lan Zhao

 

Staff

Donna KeenerDonna Keener, Food Science: Outstanding Service to Students Award

 

 

 

 

 

Business Office Service AwardJill Hufford, Matt Clawson, Juanita Robertson: Business Office Service Award

 

 

 

 

 

 

Graduate Students

Outstanding Teaching Assistants:

Marisol Herrera PerezMarisol Herrera-Perez, Agricultural and Biological Engineering

 

 

 

 

 

Jesse MurphyJesse Murphy, Biochemistry

 

 

 

 

 

Undergraduate Students

Abdias RodriguezAbdias Rodriguez, Biochemistry: Outstanding Freshman                 

 

 

 

 

 

Brandon BruntBrandon Brunt, Animal Sciences: Outstanding Sophomore             

 

 

 

 

 

Sarah CorrellSarah Correll, YDAE/AGEC: Outstanding Junior                                   

 

 

 

 

 

Emily EricksonEmily Erickson, Biochemistry: Outstanding Senior    

 

 

 

                         

College of Agriculture winners at the annual Undergraduate Research Poster Symposium:


Bethany WeldonBethany Weldon, Animal Sciences: 1st Place, College of Agriculture

 

 

 

 

Rebecca BusseRebecca Busse, Forestry and Natural Resources: 2nd Place, College of Agriculture (tie)

 

 

 

Matthew HillMatthew Hill, Botany and Plant Pathology: 2nd Place, College of Agriculture (tie)

 

 

 

 

 

Jess BunchekJess Bunchek, Botany and Plant Pathology: Libraries Abstract Award
Jacob Haury, Food Science: Libraries Abstract Award

 

 

 

 

Maggie Del Ponte and Carter Chain, Agricultural and Biological Engineering: 1st Place, College of Engineering

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Departments and Units

Agriculture Administration

Jay Akridge: Farm Bureau 2014 President's Award for Outstanding Leadership 

Pamala Morris: NACTA Teaching and Leadership Award

Julie Huetteman: Purdue University One Brick Higher Award

Dinah McClure: Purdue University One Brick Higher Award

Dawn Parks: Purdue University One Brick Higher Award

Teresa Rogers: Purdue University One Brick Higher Award


 

Extension

Epsilon Sigma Phi Ruby Award: Renée McKee, 4-H Youth Development Program Leader & Assistant Director of Purdue Extension

Friend of Extension: Ken Huseman, Lake County

ANR Individual Award: Valerie Clingerman, Extension director and agricultural and natural resources educator, Knox County; Irrigation Workshop

ANR Career Award: Larry Caplan, horticulture educator, Vanderburgh County

ANR Team Award: Farm Land Leases 101 team: Tamara Ogle, former ANR and community development educator, Cass County (now East District regional community development educator); Ed Farris, ANR educator, Huntington County; and Jenna Smith, Extension director, Owen County, and ANR educator, Clay and Owen counties; and rear, Jim Luzar, ANR educator, Vigo County; Nick Held, ANR and community development educator, Spencer County; Paul Marcellino, Extension director and ANR educator, Howard County; and Jon Cain, retired ANR educator, Hendricks County

HHS Team Award: Helping Seniors Maintain Balance and Prevent Falls Team, through the Matter of Balance Program: Kelsie Muller, Extension director, and 4-H youth development and HHS educator, Benton County; Monica Wilhoite, former Extension director and HHS educator, Fountain County (now HHS educator in Montgomery County); and Kathy Murray, HHS educator, Tippecanoe County; and back, Jean Akers, HHS and 4-H youth development educator, Warren County; Denise Schroeder, Extension director and HHS educator, White County; Alice Smith, HHS educator, Spencer County; and Deb Arseneau, HHS educator, Newton County

4-H Bob Amick Award: Megan Hoffher, 4-H youth development educator, Gibson County; 4-H Youth Development Program Activities

4-H Individual Award: Larry Dimmett, Extension director and 4-H youth development educator, Spencer County; Project Lead

4-H Team Award: Kathleen Bohde, 4-H youth development educator, Hamilton County; Science, Citizenship and Healthy Living Infused into 4-H Geocaching Initiative; Kendall Martin, 4-H youth development educator, Dubois County

Diversity Award: Lynne Kiesel, learning center coordinator, and Jennifer Stefancik, HHS educator, both of Daviess County; Extension Teaches Life Skills for Immigrant Students

International Award: Making a Difference Team at the Getesemani Nunnery and Orphanage in Sebeta, Ethiopia: Hans Schmitz, Extension director and ANR educator, Gibson County; J. Scott Monroe, ANR and community development educator, Daviess County, and Bill Horan, ANR and community development director, Wells County

Cooperative Extension Service Team Award: Food Safety for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Issue-Based Action Team: Liz Maynard, clinical engagement assistant professor of horticulture; Jennifer Stefancik, HHS educator, Daviess County; Christina Ferroli, HHS educator, Marion County; Valerie Clingerman, Extension director and ANR educator, Knox County; Amy Thompson, Extension director and ANR educator, Monroe County; and Jon Cain, retired ANR educator, Hendricks County; Maria Restrepo, ANR educator, Pike County; Hans Schmitz, Extension director and ANR educator, Gibson County; J. Scott Monroe, ANR and community development educator, Daviess County; Brad Kohlhagen, ANR educator, Adams County; Michael O'Donnell, ANR educator, Delaware County; Roy Ballard, ANR educator, Hancock County; Jodee Ellett, local foods coordinator; Ann Delchambre ANR educator, Putnam County; Gonzalee Martin, retired ANR educator, Allen County; and Miranda Ulery, ANR educator, Harrison County

PUCESA Hancook Award: Block Party Team: Dee Love; Karen Hinshaw, Extension director and HHS educator, Huntington County; Barbara Beaulieu, human development Extension specialist; Ann Fremion, HHS educator, LaGrange County; Susan Tharp, retired Extension director and health and human sciences educator, Clinton County; Jim Elicker, associate professor of human development and family studies

PUCESA Team Award: Indiana Watershed Leadership Program Team, represented by Jane Frankenberger, professor of agricultural and biological engineering

PUCESA Mid-Career Award: Corinne Alexander, associate professor of agricultural economics and grain marketing specialist

PUCESA Career Award: John Obermeyer, integrated pest management specialist

PUCESA Leadership Award: Lisa Graves, assistant program leader of HHS and nutrition science specialist

Outstanding Extension Specialist: Steve McKinley, 4-H youth development

Paul B. Crooks Award: Jim Luzar, Extension director and agriculture and natural resources educator, Vigo County

Director's Award: James Mintert, director of the Purdue University Center for Commercial Agriculture, professor of agricultural economics and Extension economist


 

AgIT

Dan Rhine: State HDI Technician of the Year Award; Regional HDI Technician of the Year Award 

Dan Rhine; Jessica Rusco: Windows 7 Certification

Richard Roy; Bill Kielhorn: ACMT Certification (Apple Certified Macintosh Technician), Part I 

Bill Kielhorn: ACMT Certification (Apple Certified Macintosh Technician), Part 2

Kevin Stevens: Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA): 410-Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012; Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA): 411-Administering Windows Server 2012; Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA): 412-Configuring Advanced Windows Server 2012 Services; Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE): 413-Designing and Implementing a Server Infrastructure; Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE): 414-Implementing an Advanced Server Infrastructure

Brandon Kerns; Kevin Stevens; Frank Wolf: GIAC Certified Windows Security Administrator (GCWN)

Carol Reisert: HDI Support Technician Certification; Windows Enterprise Support Technician Certification 

Aanya Jambhulkar: Microsoft Specialist; HTML5 with Javascript & CSS3 Certification

Courtnee Dadacz: 2.1 CEU’s - Annual Administrative Professional Course

 

Agricultural and Biological Engineering

US News and World Report ranked the ABE undergraduate program number 1 for the 4th consecutive year. The graduate program was ranked number 1 for the 7th consecutive year.

Faculty:

Indrajeet Chaubey received the 2014 ADS/Hancor Soil and Water Engineering Award from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers for "outstanding accomplishments and contributions in the development of knowledge to improve watershed management and in educating and mentoring young professionals."

Bernie Engel was selected as a fellow of ASABE - American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, for “his research contributions to and academic leadership of the Purdue ABE program, one of the premier agricultural and biological engineering programs in the world.”

Joseph Irudayaraj received a 2015 College of Engineering Faculty Award of Excellence in recognition of excellence in research.

Monika Ivantysynova was inaugurated into the Purdue Innovator Hall of Fame for her work in designing efficient hydraulic systems. She also received the 2015 Robert E. Koski Medal from ASME.

Mike Ladisch was appointed to the board of directors of the Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research (FFAR). He also received Purdue's Morrill Award.

Dirk Maier received an ASABE Superior Paper Award

Nate Mosier was named to the Indiana Soybean Alliance Soybean Utilization Endowed Chair

Marshall Porterfield, Jenna Rickus and Bernie Tao were each honored by PRF at the 10th annual Inventors Recognition Reception in November.

Jenna Rickus received a 2015 College of Engineering Faculty Award of Excellence in recognition of excellence in the advising and mentoring of students. She also was named Most Distinguished Faculty for Research (University Residences)

Richard Stroshine received ASABE Superior Paper Award

Shweta Singh received a Best Student Paper Award at the AIChE Annual Meeting

Staff:

Larry Theller, GIS Certification Professional - GIS Certification Institute

Graduate Students:

Cibin Raj, Best Student/Post-Dog of the Year 2014 international SWAT conference
Barron Hewetson, Winner, 28th Annual Purdue Burton D. Morgan Business Plan Competition
David Wilson, 2nd place USAID's Student Innovation Marketplace competition
Jeremy Robison, 2nd place USAID's Student Innovation Marketplace competition
Pushpak Bhandari, Magoon Award
Marisol Ruth Herrera Perez, Graduate School Excellence in Teaching Award
Garett Pignotti, College of Engineering Outstanding Service Scholarship
Jing Liu, College of Engineering Outstanding Researcher Award
Neal Hengge, ABE Outstanding Graduate Student - MS
Jing Liu, ABE Outstanding Graduate Student - PhD

Undergraduate Students:

Jaycey Hardenstein, Invited to 19th Annual Council on Undergraduate Research "Posters on the Hill"
William Field, Outstanding Freshman, Agricultural Systems Management
Lauren Miller, Outstanding Freshman, Pre-ABE
Lauren Bailey, Outstanding Sophomore, Biological Engineering
Michael (Cole) Mundell, Otustanding Sophomore, Agricultural Systems Management
Anderson Smith, Outstanding Sophomore, Agricultural Engineering
Danielle McNeely, Outstanding Junior, Agricultural Engineering
Alex Emenhiser, Outstanding Junior, Agricultural Systems Management
Jaycey Hardenstein, Outstanding Junior, Biological Engineering
Gavin Downs, Outstanding Senior, Agricultural Engineering
Jonathan Pelsy, Outstanding Senior, Agricultural Systems Management
James Nolan, Outstanding Senior, Biological Engineering
Evan Anderson was a member of the team that created a soybean-based air freshener and won the top prize in the 2015 Student Soybean Product Innovation Competition. Levi Jackson was a member of the team that created biodegradable flower pots and won second place in the competition.

 

Agricultural Economics

Faculty:

Corinne Alexander received the received the PUCESA (Purdue University Cooperative Extension Specialists Association) Mid Career Award at Extension’s 2014 Professional Development Conference.

Janet Ayres was the inaugural winner of the John Neiderman Rural Development Leadership Award at the annual meeting of the Indiana Association for Community Economic Development. This new award honors individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in improving the quality of life, influencing policies, and fostering opportunities for growth and development for the betterment of rural Indiana.

Bo Beaulieu received the 2014 Distinguished Rural Sociologist Award from the Rural Sociological Society for his contribution to the field of rural sociology research and service.

Larry DeBoer received a 2015 Charles B. Murphy Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award.

Jennifer Dennis named Director of Distance Education for the College

Raymond Florax was awarded the 2014 European Investment Bank (EIB)-European Prize in Regional Science. For outstanding contributions to advancement in regional science and in related spatial area studies. He was also named a Fellow of the Regional Science Association International (RSAI).

Joan Fulton won the 2014 Distinguished Extension/Outreach Program Award - individual with 10 or more years' experience from the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association. The Distinguished Extension/Outreach Program Awards recognize achievement of excellence in extension economics teaching programs.

Allan Gray received a 2014 Faculty Engagement Fellow Award from the Office of Engagement. The awards honor faculty members who combine scholarship and community partnerships to have a positive impact beyond campus.

Afghanistan Agricultural Extension Project led by Kevin McNamara received a 2014 U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary’s Honor award in the Global Food Security category. The award citation reads: “For enhancing food security and improving the quality of life for thousands of farmers by building capacity in Afghanistan’s agricultural extension system.” 

Jim Mintert received the Director’s Award at the Extension 2014 Professional Development Conference

Nicole Olynk Widmar received the PUCESA Early Career Award at the Extension 2014 Professional Development Conference. She also received a 2014 Faculty Engagement Scholar Award from the Office of Engagement.

Graduate Students:

Jeffrey Peters, doctoral student, attended the 2014 Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting on Economic Sciences in Germany. He was nominated to attend the conference by the Office of the Vice President for Research and passed an international selection process.
The Purdue Agricultural Economics student team won the Academic Quiz Bowl at the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association's 2014 annual meeting. Michael Gunderson served as the team's advisor.

Undergraduate Students:

Sarah Correll, AGEC junior, was appointed to the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (ICHE) 

Sam Ebenkamp, AGEC junior, won the Indiana Farm Bureau Collegiate Discussion Meet held at Purdue in Fall 2014

 

Agronomy

Faculty:

Rich Grant: External Dissertation Examiner, University of Southern Queensland, Australia; Adjunct Professor, St. Joseph College, IN; Fellow, Academic Leadership Program, Purdue College of Agriculture

Yiwei Jiang: Sigma Xi; Guest Professor, Lanzhou University (Top 30 University in China)

Cliff Johnston: Named Deliberated Innovation for Faculty (DIFF) Director, Fall 2014; Appointed Director of the Enhanced Oil Recovery Laboratory, Fall 2014; Named the Andrew Main Lecturer for 2015 at the University of Alberta (May 2015)

Linda Lee: ES&T Excellence in Review Award – 2014; AGRY Outstanding Graduate Mentor – 2014; CoA Outstanding Graduate Mentor – 2014; CoA Outstanding Graduate Educator – 2015; $1,002,048 gift from Dupont in state of the art analytical chemistry equipment for research on chemical contaminants in the soil environment.

Jianxin Ma: 2014 Departmental Nominee of 2015 Richard L. Kohls Outstanding Early Career Teaching Award, College of Agriculture; 2014 Departmental Nominee of Agricultural Research Award, College of Agriculture, Purdue University; 2012-2017 University Faculty Scholar, Purdue University; Associate Editor of G3: Genes|Genomes|Genetics, an Open Access Journal of the Genetics Society of America.

Cindy Nakatsu: A.J. Hoffman, C. H. Nakatsu, L.M. Sanders, C.M Weaver, P. Williamson-Hughes. Increasing colonic bacteria populations in a subject, comprises administering a composition comprising a fermentable soluble fiber to the subject. Patent Assignee Name(s) and Code(s): TATE & LYLE INGREDIENTS AMERICAS INC (TATL-C) PURDUE RES FOUND (PURD-C).  Patent Number: WO2014153554-A1. 25 Sep 2014.

Dev Niyogi: Ag Faculty Research Spotlight

Bob Nielsen:  Beck’s Hybrids Beyond the Fence Award

Darrell Schulze: Soil Science Education Award, Soil Science Society of America

Gary Steinhardt: North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture Judging and Student Service Award; David C. Pfendler Outstanding Undergraduate Counselor Award - 2015

Mitch Tuinstra: Seeds for Success, Purdue University – 2014; Millionaire’s Club Award, College of Agriculture, Purdue University – 2014; Scientific Director, Plant Sciences Research and Education Pipeline initiative

Ron Turco: Appointed director of the Purdue Global Sustainability Institute in Discovery Park; Appointed assistant dean of agricultural and environmental research for the College of Agriculture

Cliff Weil: Millionaire’s Club Award, College of Agriculture, Purdue University – 2014

Staff:

Jim Beaty received the 2015 Research Center Administrators Society’s Distinguished Service Award

Bruce Erickson received the Purdue 2015 Award for Excellence in Distance Learning

Sherry Fulk-Bringman was recognized as a Purdue Momentum Maker

Ken Scheeringa has been recognized for 25 years of service as Site Operator of the National Atmospheric Deposition Program - station IN41

Graduate Students:

Outstanding Graduate Research Award (M.S.) – Amanda de Oliveira Silva
Outstanding Graduate Research Award (Ph.D.) – Alencar Xavier
Outstanding Graduate Extension Award – Jason Lee
Outstanding Teaching Award – Trevor Frank
John D. Axtell Graduate Student Award in Plant Breeding and Genetics – Moriah Massafaro and Brad Thada
Stanley A. Barber Memorial Scholarship in Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition – Sarah Brooks
Marvin and Barbara Phillips Scholarship – John Scott
Wayne P. Rothgeb Memorial Scholarship – Anne Brown
Wyman E. Nyquist Scholarship – Jieqing Ping and Shaylyn Wiarda
M.O. Pence Graduate Scholarship 2015 – Sarah Brooks
Gerald O. Mott Meritorious Graduate Student Award in Crop Science (Purdue Univ.) – Shaylyn Wiarda
George D. Scarseth Scholarship – Sara Alford, Sarah Brooks, Isis Chagas, Keru Chen, Minerva Dorantes, Trevor Frank, Monique Long, Shams Rahmani, Amanda Silva, Kelsey Smith, Edwin Suarez, Martha Kille, and Min Xu
George W. Bailey Graduate Scholarship – Joseph Martin and Jenny Zenobio
Loyal F. “Pete” Bauman Memorial Scholarship – Anne Brown, Ben Hall and Alencar Xavier
Bauman-Doolittle Travel Scholarship – Megan Fenton, Brenda Owens, and Jieqing Ping
Dow AgroSciences Graduate Scholars – Molly McKneight and Moriah Massafaro
2015 Indiana Seed Industry Graduate Student Study Award – Sarah Brooks
Graduate Ag Research Spotlight – Alencar Xavier, Ph.D. candidate. 
Borlaug Fellows – Heather Pasley and Elizabeth Trybula
Minerva Dorantes, graduate research assistant in Agronomy, placed third in the oral competition at the 2014 Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) Pedology Student Presentation Competition for her paper entitled “A Semi-Automated Model to Improve Positional Accuracy of Soil Survey Pedons of Indiana.”

Undergraduate Students:

Bruce F. Hardy Memorial Scholarship – William Denton
Arvin R. (Rudy) Hilst Memorial Scholarship – Matthew Shafer, Isaac Greeson, Houston Miller
Kenneth and Mary Cohee Crop and Soil Science Award – Kathryn Graf and Michaela Turner
Kenneth B. and Mary Cohee Scholarship in Agronomy – Ariel Kucera, Arthur Frank, Christopher Bueckers, Ethan Carpenter, Dillon Burchett, Garrett Corning, and Jeffrey Kuhn
Charles and Rosalee Schmidt Scholarship – Maggie Shoue
Keim Family Scholarship – Daniel W. Sweeney, Emma Kaehler, Michael Busche, and Isaac Greeson
Carol A. Thiele Memorial Scholarship – Sarah Schwegman and Kathryn Graf
James J. Vorst Cropping Systems and Soil Science Scholarship in Agronomy – Cody Hornaday and Sarah Schwegman
Bruce and Katherina M. Maunder Scholarship honoring Dr. J. B. Peterson – Michaela Turner
Bruce and Katherina M. Maunder Scholarship honoring Dr. Wayne Keim – Carl Joern
Dr. Bruce and Kathy Maunder ICM for International Study Abroad – Daniel Sweeney (Study Abroad to University of Adelaide, Australia)
Ozzie Luetkemeier Endowment in Agronomy – Daniel Sweeney (Study Abroad to University of Adelaide,  Australia)
Emerson J. Kuhn Scholarship – Cody Hornaday
Mary Frances Seever Alumni Scholarship – Jessica Snyder
F. E. Robbins Scholarship – Andrew Wilhelm, Matthew Dudley, and Matthew Price
Beck Foundation Scholarship – Michael Busche (Junior), Kathryn Graf (Sophomore), and Hailey Edmondson (Freshman)
M.O. Pence Undergraduate Scholarship 2015 – Michaela Turner
2014-2015 Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Agronomy (Senior) – Daniel Sweeney
2014-2015 Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Agronomy (Junior) – Kathryn Graf
2014-2015 Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Agronomy (Sophomore) – Mary Rose Mangan
2014-2015 Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Agronomy (Freshman) – Chad Emsweller
G.A. Ross Award (Agronomy Nominee) – Daniel Sweeney
Flora Roberts Award (Agronomy Nominee) – Baily Altman
American Society of Agronomy Outstanding Senior from the Agronomy Department at Purdue University – Alex Helms

The Purdue Soils Team placed first at the Region 3 Collegiate Soils Contest in Geneseo, Illinois (October 8-11, 2014) – Maggie Shoue (1st), Betta McGaughey (2nd), Shelbi Louck (8th), Katie Fagan (10th), and Arthur Franke (11th).  Other team participants Tiffani Goodman, Sarah Letsinger, Alexis Pearson, Shelby Sigman, Yoong Sin Tong, Ariel Kucera, Brid McClearn, Nicole Shebesh, and Maddie Smith  Coaches:  Cathy Egler and Gary Steinhardt

The Purdue Soils Team placed third at the Collegiate Soils Contest at Moline, Illinois (April 8-10, 2015) – Shelby Sigman – 1st place individual, Sarah Letsinger – 1st place pit one, Jacob Burke – 2nd place pit one.  Other team participants – Alexis Pearson and Shelbi Louck

The Purdue Soils Team placed third at the Collegiate Soils Contest at Monticello, Arkansas (April 17-19, 2015) – Maggie Shoue – 7th place individual, Arthur Franke – 9th place individual, Katie Fagan – 11th place individual, Other team participants – Betta Mcgaughey

Sports Turf Managers of America (STMA) Student Challenge/Quiz Bowl Competition in Denver, Colorado (January 20, 2015) – Andrew Marking, Matt Dudley, Cameron Rice, and Matt Hession – placed 4th out of 30 teams.

The Purdue Agronomy Club attended the annual Students in Agronomy, Soils and Environmental Sciences (SASES) meetings in Long Beach, California. Many members competed in various competitions and were elected to leadership roles within the national organization:
Bailey Altman, Taylor Sigman and Michaela Turner placed fourth in the poster contest.
Cody Hornaday, placed second in the speech contest.
Alex Helms, Carl Joern, Cody Hornaday and Val­erie Cross were on the Quiz Bowl Team. The team placed first.
Alex Helms, Carl Joern, Joe Atha, Kole Kamman and Cody Hornaday competed in the inaugural crops contest.
Kerri Swingley placed second and Valerie Cross placed third in the Visual Presentation Contest.
Kole Kamman and Livia Rebeirio were the selected voting delegates for the club.
Michaela Turner was elected Corresponding Secretary
Kerri Swingley, Taylor Sigman and Jamie Hans will serve as National Contest Committee Chairwomen.

 

Natural Resources and Environmental Science

Ryan Schroeder: University nominee for the Udall Scholarship

Allison Turner: Fulbright US Grant Program

Jacob Klaybor: Outstanding Freshman

Ryan Schroeder: Outstanding Sophomore

Lindsey Hummel: Outstanding Junior

Allison Turner: Outstanding Senior

 

Animal Sciences

Faculty

Kola Ajuwon was promoted to Associate Professor of Animal Sciences in July 2014.

Todd Applegate, Professor of Animal Sciences, will take on new roles as Associate Head of Animal Sciences. His responsibilities will include assisting the department head in facilitating teaching, research and extension programs and strategic corporate engagement on behalf of the department.   

Ryan Cabot, Associate Professor of Animal Science, will take on new roles as Assistant Head of Animal Sciences, with responsibilities to include directing the graduate program, acting as a liaison/facilitator for Animal Sciences basic research program and facilitating discussions/activities focused on climate and inclusiveness.

Heng-wei Cheng received the Poultry Welfare Research Award in recognition of excellence in achievements in the research of poultry welfare from the Poultry Science Association.

Candace Croney received the Purdue Veterinary Medicine 2015 Scholarship of Engagement award for dedication and excellence in scholarly engagement endeavors that have impacted CVM constituents by addressing a community, professional and/or societal need.

Mark Diekman received the Outstanding Advising Administrator Award-Certificate of Merit from the National Academic Advising Association in October 2014.

Shihuan Kuang is the recipient of the 2014 Ag Research Award. The Purdue Agricultural Research Award is our highest honor given to mid-career faculty members—those with less than 18 years’ experience beyond the Ph.D.—for excellence in applying scientific principles to solve important research problems. Recipients have, through their research, made significant contributions to agriculture, natural resources, and the quality of life of Indiana citizens. 

Shihuan Kuang was named University Faculty Scholar.  This honor recognizes outstanding faculty who are on an accelerated path for academic distinction in the discovery and dissemination of knowledge.

Zolton Machaty will be named an Honorary Professor at the University of West Hungary, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Institute of Animal Sciences, in Mosonmagyarovar, Hungary in June 2015.

Mark Russell, Professor of Animal Sciences, received the 2013-2014 Learning Community Advocate Award for his role as a co-instructor of the Animalia Learning Community.  As instructor of Animalia section of ANSC 10200, he and Amy Manning, COM 11400 instructor partner to provide learning and social activities, industry tours, and common assignments addressing the grand challenges of animal industries for 48 incoming freshmen. 

Mike Schutz received the Honorary American FFA Degree at the 2014 National FFA Convention.

Alan Sutton, Professor Emeritus of Animal Science, was honored by Indiana Pork with its Meritorious Service Award at the annual meeting held February 3 in Indianapolis. Dr. Sutton was presented the award in the allied industry individual recognizing his exemplary long-term efforts on behalf of the pork industry. Dr. Sutton is known nationally as a pioneer and an active leader in the field of nutrient management. His research has focused on determining management practices to utilize animal manures as a resource and to minimize the threat of pollution.

Graduate Students

Pengpeng Bi, Ph.D. student in Animal Sciences, is a recipient of 2014 “Chinese Government Award for outstanding students abroad” and represents the only award winner from a university in Indiana this year. There are over 400,000 Chinese graduate students abroad and only the top 1% were selected annually to receive this prestigious award.

Katie Boesch, Ph.D. student in Animal Sciences, distinguished herself as the winner of the PhD graduate student competition at the Tristate Dairy Nutrition conference in Fort Wayne, Indiana in April 2015.

Gabriela Morello, Ph.D. student in Animal Sciences,  place 2nd overall in the Purdue Graduate School’s 3 minute Thesis Competition at Purdue University on April 15, 2015.  The competition is funded by The University of Queensland.

Undergraduate Students

Allison Culp, Senior in Animal Sciences, was top individual overall at the Southwest National Dairy Judging Contest in Ft Worth, Texas in January 2015. She also placed 2nd overall in oral reasons and 2nd overall in the brown swiss breed.

Bethany Weldon, Senior in Animal Sciences, received 1st place accolades for the College of Agriculture in the Undergraduate Research Poster Symposium for her poster “Role of the Circadian Clock in Growth of Mammary Epithelial Cells”.

Animal Sciences Student Team Awards

The Animal Sciences Academic Quadrathlon team placed 2nd in the Regional contest held at the Midwest Animal and Dairy Science meetings held in March 2014. Team members include:  Alex Hegg, Rachael Kempfer, Michaela Long and Kayla Mills. The team was coached by Scott Radcliffe.

The 2014 Purdue Livestock Judging Team won the National Championship at the North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE) in Louisville, Kentucky in November 2014. Team members include Alex Hegg (ANSC), Josh Streitmatter (ANSC), Charlie Huelsenbeck (AgEd), Callie Edie (AgEd), Isaak Mersch (AgEcon), Brennen North (AgEcon), Andrew Huffman (AgEcon), Logan Rinehold (AgEcon), Breanna Lawyer (AgEcon) and Mark Degolyer (AgEcon).  The team was coached by Matt Claeys.

The 2014 Purdue Animal Welfare Judging Team earned 1st place at the 14th Annual International Animal Welfare Judging/Assessment Contest held at Michigan State University in November 2014. The Purdue “Gold” Team consisting of Nichole Chapel (ANSC), Christopher Byrd (ANSC), Amber Sizelove (ANSC) and Melissa Voigt (YDAE) took top honors. Individually, Christopher Byrd placed 2nd, Nichole Chapel placed 6th, and Melissa Voigt placed 7th overall.  The Purdue “Black” Team consisting of Gabriela Morello (ANSC), Christopher Muegge (ANSC), Jiaying Yan (ANSC) and Amy Robinson-Junker (CPB) also competed well, with Chris Muegge placing 8th overall in the competition. Maja Makagon coaches the teams.


Biochemistry

Faculty:

Mark C. Hall: Richard L. Kohls Outstanding Undergraduate Teacher

Joe Ogas: David C. Pfendler Outstanding Undergraduate Counselor

Vikki Weake: Richard L. Kohls Early Career Award

Staff:

Karyn Rodkey: Linda Siersema Staff Excellence Award

Kristi Trimble: 2014 Eudoxia Girard Martin award

Graduate Students and/or Postdoc:

Outstanding Teaching Assistant: Michael Melesse
Celebration of Teaching Excellence College of Agriculture: Jesse Murphy
PRF Research Award: Long Chen and Jesse Murphy
Beach Family Travel Grants: Linna Wang, Brendan Powers & Laura Henry
Henry Weiner Travel Grant: Zhiguo Li (postdoc)
Henry A. Moses Award: Chen Shao
Arnold K. Balls Award: Kit Ma
Bilsland Dissertation Fellowship: Ben Carter
Don Carter Award: Josh Widhalm (postdoc)

Undergraduate Students:

Outstanding Freshman – Obadiah Rodriguez
Outstanding Sophomore – Kaelan Brennan
Outstanding Junior – Quinton Nannet
Outstanding Senior – Emily Erickson
2015 France A. Cordova Leadership Award: Emily Erickson
Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowship: Courtney Orme
Dow AgroScience Research in Biochemistry Award: Allison Norvil, Mitch D’Aloia, and Kyle Robinson
Churchil Scholarship: Emily Erickson
Undergraduate scholarships:
Amy Cox: Donald and Rita Weeks Scholarship
Matthew Nordland and Obadiah Rodriguez: Dr. Stephen P. and Charlotte A. Coburn Scholarship
Arryn Harris: Zhao-Hermann Scholarship in Biochemistry
Lauren Werner: Kwok Yip Tso Scholarship in Biochemistry
Emma Lendy: Patrick C. Matchette Scholarship
Peyton Spreacker: David and Mary Scheible Scholarship in Biochemistry
Kaelan Brennan: Ray W. Fuller Memorial Scholarship
Lucas Banter, Michael Busche, Jacob Crosser, Madeline Powell, Brooke Wamsley, Yi Wen, Emory York: Edwin T. Mertz Memorial Scholarship
Elizabeth Amundson, Logan Colwell, Breanna Frailey, Sarah Gutman, Kate Harris, Kevin Lin, Jacqueline Phipps, Logan Richards, John Whitney, Mary Witucki:  Zygmunt Family Scholarship in Biochemistry

 

Botany and Plant Pathology

Faculty:

Janna Beckerman promoted to Professor

Zhixiang Chen was one of 7 Purdue researchers named to New York-based Thomson Reuters Corp's. list of "The World's Most Influential Scientific Minds: 2014" 

Bob Pruitt named Director of the Center for Molecular Agriculture

Fred Whitford received the Fellow Award from the American Association of Pesticide Safety Educators.

Graduate Students:

Lizzie Eckhardt: NSF graduate research fellowship; Accepted to the Borlaug Summer Institute on Global Food Security

Nick Harre, Joey Heneghan, Doug Spaunhorst, Pratap Devkota: 1st place graduate team; 1st place Field Calibration Team at the North Central Weed Science Society Summer Weed Contest

Nick Harre: 1st place overall graduate individual at the North Central Weed Science Society Summer Weed Contest

Joey Heneghan: 1st place graduate individual at field problem solving at the North Central Weed Science Society Summer Weed Contest

Joey Heneghan and Nick Harre: 1st place tie graduate individual written calibration at the North Central Weed Science Society Summer Weed Contest

Joe Ikley: 1st place graduate student poster at the North Central Weed Science Society Annual Conference

Travis Legleiter: 2nd place graduate student oral presentation at the North Central Weed Science Society Annual Conference

Jessica Schafer: North Central Weed Science Society Outstanding Graduate Student
Doug Spaunhorst: Vice-Chair of the North Central Weed Science Society Graduate Student Club

Undergraduate Students:

Jess Bunchek and Matthew Hill were award winners at the Undergraduate Research Poster Symposium

 

Entomology

Faculty:

Gary Bennett, ICCE Faculty Member of the Year Award; Bravo Award

Matthew Ginzel, Advisor to winning students of Purdue University Student Soybean Product Innovation Competition

Jeff Holland, Outstanding Grad Educator; Bravo Award

Ian Kaplan, Kohls Outstanding Early Career Award; University Faculty Scholar

Christian Krupke, Participation in the Cornell Faculty Leadership & Professional Development Program

Jon Neal, Kohls Outstanding Undergrad Teacher; Pfendler Undergrad Counselor; Bravo Award

Staff:

Larry Bledsoe, Bravo Award
Victoria Cassens, Bravo Award
Jamal Faghihi, Bravo Award
Cara Fila, Outstanding Service to Students in Entomology; Bravo Award
Holly Fletcher-Timmons, Bravo Award
Timothy Gibb, MRTF Distinguished Service Award
Eileen Luke, Outstanding Service Award in Entomology; Bravo Award
David McClure, Bravo Award
John Obermeyer, Bravo Award
Jody Pearson, Bravo Award

Graduate Students:

Bridget  Blood, OVEA 3rd Place - MS Paper Presentation
Carmen Blubaugh, Bilsland Fellowship
Mahsa Fardisi, Outstanding PhD Student; Graduate School Excellence in Teaching Award
James Feston, ESA 1st Place - Poster Presentation
Gabe Hughes, Bilsland Fellowship
Ashley Kissick, Bilsland Fellowship
Aaron Myers, Outstanding MS Student
Kira Nixon, ESA 2nd Place - Oral Presentation
Brittany Peterson, 2014 Monsanto Research Grant Winner; OVEA 3rd Place - PhD Paper Presentation; Bilsland Fellowship; Teaching Academy Graduate Teaching Award
Julie Speelman, Bilsland Fellowship
Faith Weeks, Outstanding Service

Undergraduate Students:

Megan McCarty, Outstanding Freshman
Ben Savaage, Outstanding Sophomore
Hannah Quellhorst, Outstanding Junior
Julia Snyder, Outstanding Senior

 

Food Science

Faculty:

Suzanne Nielsen: inducted into the Purdue Teaching Academy; delivered the 2014 Richard L. Kohls Outstanding Undergraduate Teacher Lecture

Haley Oliver: one of two teachers nation-wide who received the USDA's 2014 Excellence in College and University Teaching Awards for Food and Agricultural Sciences in the New Teacher category.

Bruce Hamaker: one of 5 Agriculture faculty members honored by the PRF at its Inventors Recognition Reception

Manpreet Singh: appointed by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection 

Kee-Hong Kim: received the American Society for Nutrition's (ASN) 2015 Korean Nutrition Society (KNS) Award

Graduate Students:

Jennifer Allen: 2nd place award for research poster on flavonoids and protein interactions at the MANRRS 30th Annual Career Fair and Training Conference

Sydney Moser: student research award from the Phenolics and Health Research Interest Group

Amber Furrer and Sydney Moser: 2nd and 3rd places in the Emerging Leaders in Nutrition Poster session at American Society for Nutrition annual meeting

Beth Pletsch: Best Poster Award at 2015 Experimental Biology in the Nutrition Translation, Research Interest Section.  

Undergraduate Students:

Morgan Meiser: IFT Food Engineering Division Undergraduate Scholarship

 

Forestry and Natural Resources

Faculty:
Dan Cassens: Robert D. Burke Special Award for supporting the Indiana Tree Farm Program.

Jeff Dukes: named Director of the Purdue Climate Change Research Center

Shaneka Lawson: Multicultural Achievement Award from the USDA Forest Service

Marisol Sepúlveda: University Faculty Scholar

Rob Swihart: Indiana Arborist Association IAA Distinguished Service Award

Rod Williams: University Scholarship of Engagement Fellow.

Pat Zollner: William Hoover Exemplary Faculty Service Award.

The FNR Learning Communities instructors (Julie Pluimer, Rob Swihart, Linda Prokopy, Jeff Dukes and W. L. Mills) won the University Academic Connection Award for their course, The Nature of Wild Things, LC.

Staff:

Sam Guffey: Administrative and Professional Staff Advisory Committee (APSAC)
Michael Loesch-Fries: FNR Outstanding Clerical/Service Staff Member
Melissa Widhalm: Project Management Professional certification; FNR Outstanding A/P Staff Member

Graduate Students:

Mysha Clarke: Student and Early Career Professional Scholarship to attend the 21st International Symposium on Society and Research Management
Casey Day: FNR Exemplary Graduate Student Service Award
Kyle Earnshaw and Charlotte Freeman: Fischer Forestry Fund Graduate Student Scholarships
Ken Kellner: 2015 FNR Teaching Academy Graduate Teaching Award; Kirkpatrick Memorial Graduate Student Award
Micah Stevens: Purdue Graduate Student Government Travel Grant; Charles H. Michler Scholarship for Outstanding Graduate Student in Forest Biology
Janna Willoughby: Grant-in-Aid of Research from the American Society of Mammalogists; Anna M. Jackson Award from the American Society of Mammalogists; Finalist for W. D. Hamilton Award, Society of the Study of Evolution

Undergraduate Students:

Jacob Adams: Outstanding Camper in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
Sean Anderson (Evan Anderson, ABE and Sara Richert, PR & Strategic Communications): First place, PU Student Soybean Product Innovation competition
Maricela Aviles: William A. Rafferty Award
Rebecca Busse: Undergraduate Engagement Award
Keeli Curtis, Stewart Hamilton and Jordan McGuckin: Roy C. Brundage Memorial Scholarships; Outstanding Camper in Forestry
Eric Dean: Poster was 1 of 20 selected out of 143 presentations to be presented at the SURF banquet
Carmen Dobbs: Leadership Award in Forestry; Outstanding Senior in Forestry; Society of American Foresters Senior Award winner; FNR Outstanding Senior Student
Joseph Eisenger: Best Poster award, 2014 SURF research symposium
Zeke Escobedo: Coal Creek Habitat Management Scholarship
Katie Fagan: Outstanding Senior in Natural Resources Planning and Decision Making
Kalli Fredrickson: Stanley Coulter Leadership Award
Wes Goldsmith and Kay Starzynski: Fisheries and Aquatic Science Leadership Award
Hannah Hayes: L. David Mech Undergraduate Wildlife Research Award
Samantha Helt: Outstanding Junior in Wildlife
Erin Hipskind: Pike Lumber Company Scholarship
Cheyenne Hoffa: Leadership Award in Natural Resources Planning and Decision Making
Casey Johnson: Bartlett Tree Foundation Scholarship; IAA-Ramsey Award
Courtney Louden, Kylie Schofield, Lyndsey Snider and Lillie Berger: Glenn R. Allison Scholarship
Jordan McGuckin: Outstanding Junior in Forestry
Jordan McGuckin, Ryan Bartlett, Joseph Littiken and Matthew Campbell: Ewbank-Bishop Endowed Scholarships in Forestry and Natural Resources
Neil Osborn: Outstanding Junior in Wood Products Manufacturing Technology
Robert Packard: Outstanding Senior in Wood Products Manufacturing Technology
Seth Peters: Outstanding Camper in Wildlife
Austin Prechtel: Undergraduate Research Award; FNR Outstanding Junior Student Award; Outstanding Junior in Fisheries and Aquatic Science
Austin Prechtel, Samantha Helt, Jasmine Peele, Paige Weldy, Sabrina Schuler, Sarah Abercrombie, Erika Sherwin, Faith VonGunten, Morgan Sussman, Mikaela Knight, Jameson Pierce, Jonathan Wu, Jared Deininger, Kathryn Berry, Nicole Grundy, Zachary England and Emily Arnold: Claude M. Gladden Memorial Fund scholarships
Kylie Schofield: Outstanding Sophomore in Fisheries and Aquatic Science
Weston Schrank: Leadership Award in Wildlife Sciences
Sabrina Schular: Outstanding Sophomore in Wildlife; FNR Outstanding Sophomore Student
Nicholas Simpson: Outstanding Senior in Fisheries and Aquatic Science
Morgan Sussman: FNR Outstanding Freshman
Matthew Vorhees: Durward Allen Memorial Award
Evan Watkins: Outstanding Sophomore in Forestry
Grace Weisenbach, Rebekah Lumkes, Lexington Eiler, and Haley Jenkinson: John Oliver Holwager II Memorial Scholarships
Joni Willits: Outstanding Senior in Wildlife
Shannon Wiltzius: Outstanding Junior in Natural Resources Planning and Decision Making


2015 FNR Research Symposium:
Graduate Students
Erin Kenison: First Place in Ph.D./Research poster session
Kristen Bellisario: Second Place in Ph.D./Research poster session
Shuai Chen: Honorable Mention in the Ph.D./Research poster session
MaryAm Ghadiri: First Place in the Ph.D./Engagement poster session
Teresa Clark: First Place in the M.S./Research poster session
Vanessa Wuerthner: Second Place in the M.S./Research poster session
Charlotte Freeman: Honorable Mention in the M.S./Research poster session
Undergraduate students
Ardith Wang: First Place Research poster session
Ivy Widick: Second Place Research poster session
Hannah Hayes: Honorable Mention Research poster session
Allison Turner: First Place Engagement poster session

 

Horticulture and Landscape Architecture

Faculty:

Melinda Appold: Teaching for Tomorrow Award for 2015-2016

Dave Barbarash: Outstanding Landscape Architecture Teacher in the department and was nominated by the department and awarded the College of Agriculture Richard L. Kohls Early Career Award

Bernie Dahl: Fellow of Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture

Roberto Lopez: University Faculty Scholar;  2015 Southern Region ASHS Blue Ribbon Award for e-GRO Electronic Grower Resources Online Alert newsletters

Liz Maynard: Scholarship of Engagement Fellow

Aaron Patton: 2015 Purdue Graduate Student Government Faculty Mentor Award; Certificate of Excellence, American Society of Agronomy, 2014 Extension Education Materials Contest

Sean Rotar: Chair, Committee on Education of the American Society of Landscape Architects; Richard L. Kohls Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award

Sean Rotar (Landscape Architecture) and Jennifer Dennis (Horticulture): Outstanding teachers in HLA

Rob Sovinski: David C. Pfendler Outstanding Counselor Award

Graduate Students:

Norman Best: Teaching Academy Graduate Teaching Award
Joshua Craver: Paul Ecke Jr. Scholarship, American Floral Endowment
Mokhles Ahmed Mokh Elsysy: Bilsland Fellowship
Quincy Law: 2014 Graduate Student Leadership Award, ASA-CSSA-SSSA Graduate Student Leadership Conference; 2nd place, Soil Carbon and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Graduate Student Poster Contest, ASA-CSSA-SSSA
Madeline Olberg: Horticulture Research Institute Muggets Scholarship
Garrett Owen: P. Allen Hammer Scholarship, Indiana Flower Growers Association; Graduate Student Travel Grant, American Society of Horticultural Science; First Place Graduate Student Research Poster, National Floriculture Forum

Undergraduate Students Horticulture:
Sabrina Myoda: Outstanding Freshman
Nicole Haddad: Outstanding Sophomore
Allison Wigger: Outstanding Junior
Jada S. Powlen: Outstanding Senior

Undergraduate Students Landscape Architecture:
Joseph Ascolese: Outstanding Freshman 
Brent van Soest: Outstanding Sophomore             
Katelyn Bierrum: Outstanding Junior                                     
Zhicheng Daniel Xu: Outstanding Senior                
Michelle Lockhart: Excellence in Design, Freshman                           
Brent van Soest: Excellence in Design, Sophomore            
Yisi Liu: Excellence in Design, Junior

Molnar Scholarship for Outstanding Co-op Experience: Michael McCormick & Michael Pinkowski
ASLA Certificates of Merit: Nicky Ye; Michael McCormick                                                                              
ASLA Certificates of Honor: Hannah Thomas; Zhicheng Daniel Xu
LAF Olmsted Scholar: Zhicheng Daniel Xu
LAF Olmsted Scholar National Finalist: Zhicheng Daniel Xu                            

Seven undergraduate students from the Turf Science program competed in the 21st annual collegiate quiz bowl challenge at the Golf Industry Show in San Antonio Texas hosted by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. In the quiz bowl, teams consisting of a maximum of four students tested their knowledge on a variety of topics including: turf morphology/physiology, turf soils, mathematical calculations related to the turf industry, plant and seed identification and a written essay for a “real-world” industry staffing problem.  The two teams included (Cam Rice, Jada Powlen, Matt Dudley and Keegan Gray as well as Chris Skronski Brandon McNally and Kyle Haaning). The Purdue teams placed 8th and 26th respectively out of 67 teams competing against programs from across the USA. The competition was won by Penn State University.


Youth Development and Agricultural Education

Faculty:

Colleen Brady: Outstanding Graduate Educator Award from

Neil Knobloch: NACTA Teaching and Leadership Award

Pamala Morris: NACTA Teaching and Leadership Award

Undergraduate Students:

Cameron Mann, Agricultural Communications and Ag Sales and Marketing: Mid-America Crop Life Association (MACA) Young Leader Scholarship

Olivia Steckler: National Teach Ag Ambassador for 2015