UT Institute of Agriculture Presents Top Faculty and Staff Awards for 2022
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture recognized some of its top faculty, staff, researchers and Extension experts at UTIA’s annual Awards and Promotions luncheon on the UTIA campus in Knoxville August 16, 2022. 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 Carrie Castille hosted the award winners and celebrated their work. “I am so excited to recognize excellence as exemplified by the award-winning members of our UTIA faculty and staff,” Castille says. “Their continuing commitment to our land-grant mission ensures that the Institute develops and delivers real-life solutions to improve the health and economy of our state and beyond while also enhancing our environment.”
Joel Clark, a UT Extension specialist in Family and Consumer Sciences, is the winner of the Mildred Pendergrass Award for outstanding service. This award, presented in memory of Mildred Pendergrass, wife of the former Vice President for Agriculture Webster Pendergrass, is given to employees among the technical, skill and service staff of the Institute.
“Winning this award is an absolute honor,” says Clark. “I am humbled to be a part of an amazing department and institution with such a great history of excellence. Providing innovative ways to help Tennesseans thrive is a huge passion of mine and I look forward to continuing my work alongside of the university and Institute of Agriculture.”
Clark has been an Extension specialist in Family and Consumer Sciences for two years. He serves Tennessee residents and other Extension agents through building public and external sites, creating e-learning courses and developing innovative technology solutions.
Clark has a master’s degree in counseling psychology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Lee University. He is a national board-certified counselor in clinical mental health.
Through its land-grant mission of research, teaching and extension, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture touches lives and provides Real. Life. Solutions. utia.tennessee.edu.