Extraordinary Service Honored Amid Pandemic
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.
UT Institute of Agriculture Senior Vice President and Senior Vice Chancellor 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.“
The 2020 winners are:
Charles and Patricia Goan Customer Service Award – Ruth Correll, UT-TSU Extension Wilson County
Bill and Ann Hicks New Extension Worker Award – Kayla Jenkins, UT Extension Macon County
Vernon and Ida Darter Award – Sarah Ransom, UT-TSU Extension Johnson County
Lloyd and Nettie Downen Award – Stacy Clark, UT-TSU Extension Lawrence County
G.L. Carter 4-H Agent Award – Karen Nelms, UT Extension Jefferson County
Alice Ann Moore 4-H Agent Award – Tonya Bain, UT Extension Crockett County
Tennessee Association of Agricultural Agents/Hicks Award –
Justin Hargrove, UT Extension Benton County
Adam Hopkins, UT Extension Area Specialist Jefferson County
Heath Nokes, UT-TSU Extension Warren County
Charles and Julie Wharton Award of Extension Achievements –
Michele Atkins, UT Extension Henry County
Ruth Correll, UT-TSU Extension Wilson County
Sharon Davis, UT-TSU Extension Knox County
Cavender Awards for Best Publication –
Cotton Nitrogen Management in Tennessee (Publication W 783), Lori Duncan, Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science, and Tyson Raper, Department of Plant Sciences
Rose Diseases: Identification and Management (Publication W 833), Alan Windham and Mark Windham, both of the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology
J.E. Moss Achievement Awards –
William Hart, UT Herbert College of Agriculture, Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science
Shawn Hawkins, UT Extension, Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science
Robert Reed, UT College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Services
David White, UT AgResearch Administration
E.J. Chapman Award – Susie Nicholson, UT Extension, Western Region Office
Webster Pendergrass Award – Marcy Souza, UT College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Services
Mildred Pendergrass Award – Leslie Wereszczak, UT College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences
AgResearch Impact Award – Nicole Labbé, Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries
Professional/Academic Award – Kevin Hoyt, UT Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center
Miles Community Service Award – Chad Hellwinckel, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics
B. Ray Thompson Award – John Wilson, UT-TSU Extension Blount County
Williams – E.R. “Prof” Lidvall Teaching Award – Lacey Johnston, Department of Animal Science
William D. Bishop Award – Rob Holland, UT Center for Profitable Agriculture
T.J. Whatley Young Scientist Award – Nour Abdoulmoumine, Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science
AgResearch Mid-Career Faculty Research Excellence Award – Jennifer DeBruyn, Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science
AgResearch Dean’s Award for Outstanding Service – Barbara Gillespie, Department of Animal Science
AgResearch Dean’s Award for Outstanding Professional Staff – Kimberly Campbell, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology
Institute Professor Award – Carl Sams, Department of Plant Sciences, and Karen Tobias, UT College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences
In addition to these awards, the following UTIA professionals received promotions to professor:
Bente Flatland, UT College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Services
Robert B. Reed, UT College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Services
Marcy J. Souza, UT College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Services
Brynn H. Voy, Department of Animal Science
Brian K. Whitlock, UT College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences
Frank Yin, Department of Plant Sciences
Edward Yu, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics
A list of all the 2020 UTIA promotions is online.
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.