Cindy Lay receives the Charles and Patricia Goan Excellence in Customer Service Award
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture celebrated the accomplishments of some of its top faculty, staff, researchers and Extension experts at UTIA’s annual awards luncheon. The 2026 ceremony was held on the UTIA campus in Knoxville on August 4. Many of the awards are gifts made possible by faculty, alumni and friends of the institute.
UTIA Senior Vice Chancellor and Senior Vice President Keith Carver hosted the celebration and praised the honorees for their devotion to the land-grant mission. “Our UTIA staff and faculty continue to overwhelm me with their enthusiasm and unparalleled expertise,” he said. “I am always in awe of their dedication to providing Real. Life. Solutions. to the people of Tennessee. These award winners represent the efforts and accomplishments this past year that will most benefit all Tennesseans and society – impacts that will have lasting benefits through teaching, research and Extension for years to come.”
Cindy Lay, human resources consultant for Extension Evaluation and Staff Development, received the Charles and Patricia Goan Excellence in Customer Service Award. This award, established by Dean Emeritus Charles Goan and his wife, Pat, recognizes UT Extension employees who complete or aid in completing exemplary work to further Extension priorities and provide or aid in providing Extension customers with excellent service, knowledge and information as requested. The award recognizes excellence and is open to all faculty and staff.
“Spending 24 years in Extension, this is my home, and these are my people. To be recognized for doing a job that I love while serving them means more than I can express. I’m deeply honored and humbled,” Lay said.
UT Extension has offices in all 95 counties, and specialists and administrators are located in regional offices and the Knoxville campus. Lay first started working in Union County and then was business manager for the Eastern Region office. In her current role, she provides support to all county offices and regional centers, including the recruitment and onboarding of new employees.
“I’ve been fortunate to serve Extension at the county, regional and state levels throughout my career. One of the greatest rewards is visiting communities and events across the state and seeing firsthand the meaningful impact of the Extension professionals I serve. They are changing lives, and I am grateful to play even a small part in that work,” she said.
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture is comprised of the Herbert College of Agriculture, UT College of Veterinary Medicine, UT AgResearch and UT Extension. Through its land-grant mission of teaching, research and outreach, the Institute touches lives and provides Real. Life. Solutions. to Tennesseans and beyond. utia.tennessee.edu.