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.”
Matthew Deist, an agriculture and natural resources agent for UT Extension in Franklin County, is one recipient of the Charles and Julie Wharton Award for Outstanding Extension Achievements. Established by long-time supporters of the Institute of Agriculture Charles Wharton and his late wife Julie, and now supported by Charles and Lori Wharton, this award is presented to three UT Extension agents annually. These agents often run programs in any area, including agriculture and natural resources, family and consumer sciences, 4-H youth development, and resource development. Special consideration is given to those individuals who have demonstrated excellence in serving local needs for five years or more. Chris Cooper, director of UT-TSU Extension Shelby County, and Tom Rison, director of UT-TSU Extension Claiborne County, also received this award. Deist is recognized for his commitment to his role as an Extension Agent II and the programming he runs for his community.
Deist has been with UT Extension for 10 years and his passion and purpose come from helping his constituents. He feels blessed to be given the opportunity to bring a group of people together to accomplish something bigger than themselves. Deist is responsible for agriculture and natural resources education, providing real, life practical solutions, specifically in the areas of row crop production, nursery production, and residential/consumer horticulture. Apart from his work, he is a husband to Catherine and a father to Waverly and believes these to be the most rewarding experiences in his life.
As for his philosophy, Deist says, “Keep your eyes open for the chance to help someone else. When you see the chance, don’t hesitate for lack of time or convenience. God puts us in these type positions for reasons that are difficult to comprehend, especially in the moment. He’s always watching and, as it turns out in this particular case, you never know who else is as well. Thank you for this meaningful award.” Deist is honored to be one of this year’s recipients.
Deist received his B.S. in animal science from Middle Tennessee State University and his M.S. in agricultural and Extension education from UT Knoxville.
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.