Division of Agriculture presents faculty, staff awards
Jan. 8, 2010Contact Information:
Fred Miller, Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station
479-575-5647 / fmiller@uark.edu
Mary Hightower, Cooperative Extension Service
501-671-2117 / mhightower@uaex.edu
DOWNLOAD PHOTOS of individual award winners
Download awards luncheon program PDF
Download Spitze Land Grant University Faculty Award for Excellence PDF
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture recognized outstanding performance by faculty and staff members at an awards luncheon Friday, Jan. 8, at the Embassy Suites Hotel.
Vice President for Agriculture Milo Shult said, “These awards signify the excellence of our entire faculty and staff throughout Arkansas. We are extremely proud of their dedication and hard work on behalf of the people of Arkansas.”
The Division of Agriculture includes the Cooperative Extension Service and the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station. It conducts research and delivers information and educational services for producers and processors of food and fiber. It also promotes public health and nutrition; opportunities for youth, families and communities; safe and secure food systems; and environmental sustainability.
Division faculty and facilities are on five Arkansas campuses, in all 75 counties and at centers and stations throughout the state. Many research and extension faculty members are also instructors on university campuses.
The Robert G. F. and Hazel Taylor Spitze Land Grant University Faculty Award for Excellence was presented to Eric Wailes, who holds the L.C. Carter Chair for Market Policy in the department of agricultural economics and agribusiness at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. An internationally known authority on the global rice market, he leads a research program that evaluates likely effects of government policies and other market forces on world supply, demand and pricing of rice.
Andrew McKenzie, professor of agricultural economics and agribusiness, received the Jack G. Justus Award for Teaching Excellence. He developed the Basis Trader computer software program that simulates grain merchandising from the perspective of a grain elevator operator. He also developed a professional certification program in cooperation with grain merchandising industry personnel.
The Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences Alumni Society Advising Award was presented to Jeremy Powell, DVM, associate professor of animal science. He advises pre-veterinary students and is faculty adviser to the Pre-Vet Club at UA, Fayetteville. Since he began advising pre-vet students in 2002, the number of students gaining admission to veterinary schools has markedly increased.
John W. White awards for outstanding teaching, research and extension service are named for the U of A System's first vice president for agriculture when the Division of Agriculture was made a unit of the U of A System in 1959.
The John W. White Outstanding Teaching Award went to Charles Rosenkrans Jr., professor of animal science, who is regarded by his peers and students as an innovative teacher and leader in curriculum development. He has worked to include Web-based instruction and other new technologies in the curriculum.
The John W. White Outstanding Research Award was presented to Wayne Kuenzel, professor of poultry science. One of the world’s most recognized authorities on the neurobiology of poultry, he is co-author of a book on the brain of the chicken published by John Hopkins University Press. He has been a leader in addressing animal well-being issues with poultry.
The John W. White Outstanding Extension State Faculty Award went to Ken Smith, professor of weed science at the division’s Southeast Research and Extension Center, Monticello. He conducts research and educational programs on weed management in row crops, including management of herbicide-resistance, and he helps county agents with local weed management educational programs.
The John W. White Outstanding County Extension Educator Award winner was Lafayette County Extension Agent Terrie M. Treadway in Lewisville. She works with local residents to design and implement a range of information and education services in health, nutrition, financial management, parenting and youth development.
The John W. White Non-Classified Support Personnel Award was presented to Diana M. Danforth, who coordinates the agricultural economics and agribusiness computer support unit on the UA campus in Fayetteville. She and her staff collaborate on research projects with faculty members and graduate students. She was instrumental in developing and managing delivery of services in the COTMAN program for computer-aided timing of cotton production practices.
The John W. White Classified Support Personnel Award recipient for the Agricultural Experiment Station was Jeannie Hornsby, an accounting technician for the animal science department. She designed a maintenance system that ensures department vehicles receive required service and that problems are quickly brought to her attention, which keeps vehicles running longer with fewer repairs.
The John W. White Classified Support Personnel Award for the Cooperative Extension Service went to Donna Rinke. She was instrumental in creating the Cooperative Extension Service Web site with a consumer orientation and accessibility for users with disabilities.