Tonya Bain Receives the William D. Bishop Outstanding 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.”
Tonya Bain, 4-H youth development program leader for UT Extension Western Region, is the recipient of the William D. Bishop Outstanding Service Award. Presented in memory of Dean Emeritus William D. Bishop, this award recognizes a member of University of Tennessee Extension who has contributed most to the attainment of Extension objectives.
Bain’s career with UT Extension spans more than 30 years, with 26 years as a 4-H agent at UT Extension Crockett County, two years as area specialist for event coordination and two years in her current role as regional program leader. Today, she oversees 51 Extension agents and program assistants in 31 counties that collectively impact more than 38,000 youth annually.
“Receiving the William D. Bishop Outstanding Service Award is a tremendous honor and a reflection of the importance of service, leadership and teamwork,” says Bain. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to work alongside amazing people who share a passion for making a difference.”
She is the recipient of four other Institute Awards, including the Charles and Julie Wharton Award in 2022, the Alice Ann Moore Outstanding Agent Award in 2020, the Carter Outstanding 4-H Agent Award in 2012 and the Vernon and Ida Darter Award in 2007. Bain has also received awards from the Tennessee Association of Extension 4-H Workers, including the Meritorious Service Award in 2021 and the American Spirit Award in 2019.
In her free time, she enjoys being creative, such as painting, drawing, woodworking and more.
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.