Students and faculty received recognition at the 68th annual Convocation held on April 13 at the Thomas G. Hildebrand, D.V.M. ’56 Equine Complex.
During the event, students from various departments within the College were honored with Senior Merit Awards, university-level student award nominations, and Outstanding Student Awards for different class levels. The convocation featured an address by Miles Huffhines to faculty and students at the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Convocation at the Hildebrand Equine Complex.
Additionally, two faculty members were presented with the Gail W. and David P. Marion ’65 Teaching Award and the Honor Professor Award.
Moreover, the officers of the Student Council and the College’s Student Ambassadors were acknowledged for their contributions.
2024 Senior Merit Awards
The Senior Merit Award, which is the highest recognition for undergraduates within the College, was presented during the Convocation. The recipients were selected based on various criteria such as scholarship, community involvement, professional activities, and awards in undergraduate research.
The following students were honored with the 2023 Senior Merit Awards:
- Chris Barron
- Julia Belz
- Conley Boatright
- Ryan Boersma
- Sydney Christensen
- Miles Cook, Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology
- Caitlin Dailey
- Katelyn Duncan, Department of Poultry Science
- Emily Ecord
- Thomas “Ray” Edwards
- Clayton Elbel, Department of Agricultural Economics
- Samantha Figueroa, Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology
- Abigail Flores, Department of Poultry Science
- Fallon Frenzel
- Olivia Henry
- Aidan Holman, Department of Entomology
- Miles Huffhines, Department of Agricultural Economics
- James Jeffrey
- Cristin Kasprzak
- Katelyn Klawinsky, Department of Agricultural Economics
- Annabel Klemm, Department of Agricultural Economics
- Santos Manzano
- Jenna Mark, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences
- Macie McCollum, Department of Animal Science
- Kylee Medina, Department of Nutrition
- Caitlyn Muckensturm, Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications
- Annette Saucedo Padron, Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology
- Grace Parks, Department of Animal Science
- Rohan Phadke, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics
- Gunner Purcell
- Hannah Rajlich, Department of Nutrition
- Isabella Reyes-Pineda, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics
- Michaelanne Roach, Department of Horticultural Sciences
- Logan Russell
- Macy Strain, Department of Entomology
- Alexandra Thompson, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering
- Brittany Usoff
- Erin Vo, Department of Nutrition
- Gage Walsh, Department of Animal Science
- Zane Wanjura, Department of Animal Science
- Karen Waters, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering
- Camryn Wilder, Department of Poultry Science
- Presley Wirebaugh, Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications
- Mikayla Wrenn, Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications
- Kasey Young, Department of Poultry Science
Outstanding Student Awards
The Outstanding Student Awards were presented to students who demonstrated excellence in their respective class levels:
- Outstanding Freshman: Miranda Skaggs, Department of Animal Science
- Outstanding Sophomore: Hadley Harris, Department of Agricultural Economics
- Outstanding Junior: Brittley Bowers, Department of Animal Science
Nominations for University-level Awards
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences nominated students for prestigious university-level awards including the Brown-Rudder, Gates-Muller, and the Class of ’80 E. King Gill Selfless Service awards.
The nominees for these awards were as follows:
- Brown Foundation-Earl Rudder Memorial Outstanding Student Award: Chris Barron and Clayton Elbel
- Robert Gates-Muller Family Outstanding Student Award: Mamie Hertel, Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications
- Class of ’80 E. King Gill Selfless Service Award: Kasey Young
Teaching Excellence
The College recognized faculty members for their teaching excellence with the Honor Professor Award and the Gail W. and David P. Marion ’65 Teaching Award:
- Honor Professor Award: Nathan Harness, Ph.D., Department of Agricultural Economics
- Gail W. and David P. Marion ’65 Teaching Award: Jack Elliott, Ph.D., Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication
2024 College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Ambassadors
The College honored students selected for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Ambassadors program, who serve as representatives at various events:
- A.J. Brewton, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics
- Ainsley Burns, Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications
- Brittley Bowers
- Caitlin Castro, Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management
- Chris Barron
- Coltyn Cook, Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology
- Haley Russell, Department of Entomology
- Kyle Murphy
- Lee Michalik, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering
- Makensie Till, Department of Poultry Science
- Michael Penner, Department of Animal Science
- Olivia Henry
- Olivia Vogt, Department of Animal Science
- Presley Wirebaugh
- Rachael Detten, Department of Agricultural Economics
- Samara Huezo, Department of Hospitality, Hotel Management and Tourism
- Samuel Clarke, Department of Hospitality, Hotel Management and Tourism
- Zachary Hoelscher, Department of Animal Science
- Maddie Sults, Department of Food Science and Technology
- Marianne Howell, Department of Food Science and Technology
Agricultural and Natural Resources Policy Program Interns
Interns from the Agricultural and Natural Resources Policy program were acknowledged during the Convocation:
- Zane Wanjura, Department of Animal Science
- Owen Gibson, Department of Agricultural Economics
- Rachael Detten
- Katelyn Klawinsky
- Reagan Powers, Department of Agricultural Economics
- Alexandria Cozzitorto, Department of Animal Science
- Shikhadri Mahanta, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering
- Thomas “Ray” Edwards
- Lucas Trosper, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering
- Annabel Klemm
Student Council Officers
The Convocation featured the introduction of the 2023-2024 Student Council officers:
- President: Miles Huffhines
- Vice President of Leadership: Brittley Bowers
- Vice President of Finance: Cooper Ford, Department of Animal Science
- Vice President of Service: Zachary Hoelscher
- Vice President of Public Relations: Anna Hiser, Department of Animal Science
- Vice President of Programs: Caden Carver, Department of Animal Science
The newly elected 2024-2025 officers for the College’s Student Council were also recognized:
- President: Brittley Bowers
- Vice President of Mentorship: Austin Blagg, Department of Agricultural Economics
- Vice President of Service: Greyson Castillo, Department of Animal Science
- Vice President of Leadership: Riki Nardiello, Department of Agricultural Economics
- Vice President of Public Relations: Zoee Nolen, Department of Agricultural Economics and Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications
- Vice President of Programs: Jace Owen, Department of Animal Science
- Vice President of Finance: Tanner Owens, Department of Animal Science