UTIA professor emeritus honored for lifetime achievements
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A retired plant pathologist at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA) recently received a top career award. Mark Windham, professor emeritus in the UT Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, was awarded the Gold Honor Medal by the American Rose Society (ARS), the highest honor the society can bestow.
Windham received the award October 3 at the 2026 ARS National Convention & Rose Show in Nashville, Tennessee, recognizing his decades of contributions to rose disease research and education. He has studied and developed management strategies for pathogens including black spot, Cercospora leaf spot, downy mildew and, more recently, rose rosette disease, of which he is considered one of the nation’s leading authorities.
“When I think of the great rosarians who have won the medal, I am beyond honored to join them in this distinction,” says Windham. “It’s a privilege to have worked for UTIA as long as I did, and I want to thank the countless colleagues, mentors and collaborators who made this possible.”
Windham joined UTIA in 1985 and, over the course of his career, shared his research and expertise at thousands of events with producers, industry professionals and rose societies across the country. In 2018, he partnered with Extension ornamental plant pathologist Alan Windham and other colleagues to write the e-book A Guide to Rose Diseases and Their Management. Mark and Alan Windham retired in 2022 but have remained advocates for residential and commercial rose production across the Southeast and beyond.
“Mark conducted his solution-oriented research in Crossville, Tennessee, at our Plateau AgResearch and Education Center, and to this day, he has helped establish its reputation at the forefront of rose disease research and outreach. Even after his retirement, we consider it an honor to carry on this mission as we provide data-driven information for those throughout the industry,” says Hongwei Xin, dean of UT AgResearch.
“On behalf of UTIA, I want to express our gratitude to Dr. Mark Windham for an exceptional research career,” says Keith Carver, UTIA senior vice chancellor and senior vice president. “This award is no small feat, and it honors a man who has elevated the university nationally for decades. I can’t think of anyone more deserving.”
Awarded annually, the Gold Honor Medal represents the highest accolade and recognition bestowed by the American Rose Society. Eight members of the National Prizes and Awards Committee select the recipient, who must have at least 12 years of service on a national level and have diligently provided outstanding meritorious service.
In 2023, Windham was also awarded the Joseph and Marion Kilma Medal for Excellence in Rose Education by the society for his exceptional contributions to horticultural education. Windham is one of the few recipients worldwide to receive both awards during his career.
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.