UT Institute of Agriculture Presents Top Faculty and Staff Awards for 2024
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 and promotions luncheon. This year’s ceremony was held in the newly-opened Agriculture and Natural Resources Building on the UTIA campus in Knoxville on August 14, 2024. Many of the awards are gifts made possible by faculty, alumni and friends of the Institute.
UT Institute of Agriculture Senior Vice Chancellor and Senior Vice President Keith Carver hosted the award winners and praised them for their work. “I continue to be amazed by the dedication, enthusiasm and expertise demonstrated by the impressive work of our UTIA faculty and staff,” says Carver. “The awards are well deserved, and the impacts of these accomplishments are seen across the state and will benefit Tennesseans for generations.”
Alyssa Merka is the recipient of the 2024 UT AgResearch Dean’s Support Staff Award. This award honors and acknowledges the excellence of employees in fulfilling their job responsibilities. The award recognizes employees who have demonstrated competence and critical thinking; cooperativeness and team building; professionalism and ethical behavior; initiative and dependability; and excellent communication skills.
Merka is an administrative and communications specialist with the UT One Health Initiative within the School of Natural Resources. She has been with that initiative since its beginning four years ago. This ambitious project includes studies across the university regarding how humans, animals, plants and the environment are linked, with the health of one affecting all. In her nearly 9 years with UTIA, Merka has also worked with the Shortleaf Pine Initiative and the National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative. Her work has been recognized with the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council Media Award.
Merka appreciates being honored with the Dean’s Support Staff Award. “It’s an honor to be recognized among so many hard working folks striving to make a positive impact. I truly love working at UT and with my team, and it’s good to know the feeling is mutual,” she says.
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.