April 5, 2006
Awards were presented Tuesday (April 4) to Iowa State University College of Agriculture faculty, alumni and students by the Iowa Chapter of the Honor Society of Agriculture, known as Gamma Sigma Delta.
Alumnus Marvin Walter of Ames received the Distinguished Achievement and Service to Agriculture Award. Walter, who earned bachelor's and master's degrees at Iowa State, has devoted his entire professional career to agriculture, with emphasis on the meat industry. The award recognizes exemplary achievements and contributions to agriculture.
Four Mission Awards were presented, which recognize faculty in the College of Agriculture who have made exceptional contributions in helping Iowa State achieve its mission in the areas of extension, teaching and research. Two faculty members received Teaching Awards — Ron Deiter, professor of economics, and Joseph Sebranek, university professor of animal science. The Research Award went to Helen Jensen, professor of economics. The Extension Award went to Tom Baas, associate professor of animal science.
Richard and Nancy Degner of Ankeny received the Alumni Award of Merit. Nancy is executive director of the Iowa Beef Industry Council and Rich is executive director of the Iowa Pork Producers Association. The award is given to alumni who have contributed to the agriculture industry in exceptional ways.
The honor society also recognized two undergraduates. Amanda Jo Kreuder of Thomson, Ill., received the Sophomore Scholarship Award of Merit. Kreuder is majoring in veterinary medicine. Caleb Grote, Bayard, received the Senior Scholarship Award of Merit. Grote is majoring in agricultural biochemistry. These awards are presented to students who earn the highest grade point average in the sophomore and senior classes.
New chapter officers were installed. They are Gregory Miller, agricultural education and studies, president; Thomas Brumm, agricultural and biosystems engineering, vice president; and Michael Duffy, economics, secretary-treasurer.
The purpose of Gamma Sigma Delta is to encourage a high degree of excellence in the practice of agricultural pursuits and high standards of scholarship in all areas of agricultural science and education.