By Mary Hightower
U of A System Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and the Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food, and Life Sciences on Friday recognized excellence in the three land grant disciplines of extension, research and teaching at their annual Agriculture Awards ceremony.
The recognitions were presented by Deacue Fields, vice president-agriculture for the U of A System and head of the Division of Agriculture; Jean-Francois Meullenet, director of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station and interim dean of the Bumpers College; and Bob Scott, director of the Cooperative Extension Service.
The John W. White Outstanding Team Award - Winning Soil and Water Conservation Virtual Field Trip team. (U of A System Division of Agriculture photo by Mary Hightower)
“These recognitions are a way to showcase excellence in what we do,” Fields said. “We have great people out there doing great things and this is a chance to make sure we recognize them among their peers.”
Meullenet said “it’s a pleasure every year to recognize top performers within the Division of Agriculture, and this year, I get to recognize the best also within the Bumpers College.
“Our researchers continue to produce cutting-edge technology for Arkansas and the world, and our Bumpers faculty do an outstanding job preparing the next generation of ag industry professionals,” he said.
Scott said he believes “it is important for our organization to recognize individuals and teams for their outstanding efforts. I love to see the Cooperative Extension Service represented at the division level and to be a part of this awards ceremony.
“I applaud those who take the time to nominate their colleagues for these awards and always encourage them to do so whether for internal or external honors. It is important for the overall health of our organization,” Scott said.
Each year, the Division of Agriculture recognizes its best with awards named in honor of John W. White, the organization’s first leader.
John W. White Outstanding Research Award — Sami Dridi, department of poultry science.
John W. White Outstanding Teaching Award — Christopher Estepp, department of agricultural education, communications and technology.
John W. White Outstanding Extension State Faculty Award — Yi Liang, department of biological and agricultural engineering.
John W. White Outstanding County Educator Award — Mike Andrews, Randolph County Extension Office
John W. White Outstanding Team Award — Soil and Water Conservation Virtual Field Trip team: Mike Daniels, professor and extension soil and water conservation scientist; Lee Riley, environmental science and crop management program associate; Rita Watson, virtual education program associate for the Division of Agriculture; Mike Hamilton, irrigation educator; Julie Robinson, associate professor of leadership for the Division of Agriculture, Bill Robertson, retired extension cotton agronomist; Kerry Rodtnick, extension videography specialist; Samantha Barker, interactive communication coordinator; and Diedre Young, program manager.
Support personnel within the Division of Agriculture was also recognized:
Division of Agriculture Non-Classified Support Personnel Award — Ryan Doherty, department of crop, soil and environmental sciences; and Daniela Kidd, department of crop, soil and environmental sciences.
Division of Agriculture Classified Support Personnel Award — Dianna Watson, department of environmental sciences; Sandy Puckett, department of crop, soil and environmental sciences.
Bumpers College recognized three for their teaching, mentoring and advising excellence:
Outstanding Honors Thesis Mentor Award — Aubree Hawley, school of human environmental sciences
Bumpers College Alumni Society Outstanding Advising Award — Leigh Southward, school of human environmental sciences
Jack G. Justus Award for Teaching Excellence — Adnan Alubraye, department of poultry science.
Also recognized at the ceremony in Waldrip Hall at the Milo J. Shult Agricultural Research and Extension Center, were patents awarded to faculty during the previous year.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.
