UT Institute of Agriculture Presents Top Faculty/Staff Awards for 2021
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 July 30, 2021. The event was conducted in person, a welcome return to normalcy after having an online ceremony because of the pandemic last year. The awards honor the extraordinary performance of UTIA employees during a difficult year of online education and changes to procedures because of the pandemic. Many of the awards are gifts made possible by faculty, alumni and friends of the Institute.
UTIA Senior Vice President Tim Cross hosted the award winners and praised them for their work. “After a challenging and stressful year, it’s a pleasure to recognize excellence as exemplified by these award-winning members of the UTIA faculty and staff,” Cross says. “Their continuing dedication to our land-grant mission of serving Tennessee ensures that we develop and deliver real life solutions to improve health, grow the economy and enhance our environment.”
Adam Willcox, associate professor in the Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, is the winner of the Williams – E.R. “Prof” Lidvall Outstanding Teaching Award. This award was established by Donald Williams, a 1961 graduate of the Herbert College of Agriculture, and honors his former professor and mentor, Professor E.R. Lidvall. The award recognizes faculty who exemplify Lidvall’s commitment to excellence in the classroom.
Willcox is a research associate professor and also serves with the Smith Center for International Sustainable Agriculture. His work is focused on the human dimensions of biodiversity conservation, endangered species management and sustainable agriculture.
Willcox is a leader in UTIA’s study abroad program and has led student groups to Belize and Costa Rica. He has also completed research projects in Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and Cambodia. He coordinates the international agriculture and natural resources academic minor in the Herbert College of Agriculture and the UT Peace Corps prep program. Earlier in his career he worked as an Extension agroforestry agent in Cameroon.
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.