UT Institute of Agriculture Presents Top Faculty and Staff Awards for 2020
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture recognized extraordinary service from members of the faculty and staff across the state at its annual awards and promotions event, held this year on August 21, 2020. Honorees were recognized virtually during a Zoom presentation rather than a fun, in-person luncheon. This change in venue did not minimize the amazing accomplishments for 2020. Many of the awards are gifts made possible by past faculty, alumni and friends of the Institute.
Karen Tobias, professor in the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences at the UT College of Veterinary Medicine, is one of two winners of the Institute Professor Award, the highest honor presented by UTIA. The other recipient is Carl Sams, distinguished professor in the Department of Plant Sciences.
“I was really surprised to receive the UTIA Professor Award,” Tobias says. “We have many talented professors on our campus, so it’s quite an honor to be singled out. Really this award should be given to the College of Veterinary Medicine. My accomplishments were made possible by the support and encouragement of my administration and colleagues. I am surrounded by a team of gifted faculty, staff and students, and I consider the college to be my extended family. Thanks to all who helped me succeed.”
Tobias has been with the College of Veterinary Medicine for 21 years and is a professor and a skilled surgeon. She’s written or edited three textbooks, including one that’s required reading for veterinary surgery residents across the country. Tobias has authored more than 100 papers, assisted dozens of students in publishing their work, spoken at more than two dozen international meetings and obtained a patent for a surgical device with the UT Research Foundation.
In the early 2000s, she co-hosted a pet care show on HGTV called “Barkitecture.”
UT Institute of Agriculture Senior Vice President Tim Cross hosted the Zoom session for the award winners and praised them for their work. “Now more than ever, it’s critical that we take time to acknowledge the award-winning work that our faculty and staff carry out, even in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic,” Cross says. “Tennesseans can count on the real-life solutions that the UT Institute of Agriculture provides to students and stakeholders from communities throughout Tennessee and beyond to enhance the economy, conserve the environment, and develop leaders for the future.”
Through its mission of research, teaching and extension, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture touches lives and provides Real. Life. Solutions. utia.tennessee.edu.