CALS Council Senior Awards
The CALS Council Awards recognize outstanding graduating seniors in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences who have demonstrated excellence in leadership, academics, service, innovation and engagement throughout their time at Iowa State University.
Nominations for fall 2026 graduates are open through November 2 at 5 p.m.
All College of Agriculture and Life Sciences seniors graduating in the spring 2026 semester are eligible. You can be self-nominated or a nomination can be filled out by a peer, advisor, mentor or ISU staff member.
The following awards will be considered this semester:
Leadership and Innovation
Recognizes a senior who has demonstrated exceptional leadership through involvement in campus organizations and initiatives while showing creativity, innovation, and a commitment to making a positive impact.
Academic Achievement
Recognizes a senior who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement through academic performance, scholarships, honors, and other accomplishments during their time at Iowa State University.
Distinguished Service
Recognizes a senior who has demonstrated a strong commitment to serving others and improving their community through service, volunteerism, and involvement in organizations both on and off campus.
Outstanding Ambassador of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Recognizes a senior who has effectively represented and promoted the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Iowa State University while serving as a liaison to students and communities and educating others about issues relevant to the student experience.
Outstanding Senior
Recognizes a senior who has demonstrated exceptional achievement across leadership, service, and academics. This is a cumulative award selected by the CALS Council Awards Committee; no separate nomination is required.
Questions about the awards can be directed to Zoe Webb or Revanth Mamidala, CALS Council awards committee co-chairs.
Congratulations to the Spring 2026 Recipients
- Olly Dungan (wildlife and fisheries conservation and ecology), Outstanding Ambassador of Agriculture and Life Sciences
- Lindsey Hospodarsky (agricultural communication), Leadership and Innovation
- Carly Lawler (agricultural systems technology, international agriculture), Distinguished Service
- Emily Meyer (agricultural and rural policy studies), Outstanding Senior
- Zachary Utley (agronomy and seed science), Academic Achievement
Milleman Family Mentorship Award
Additionally, each fall the Council seeks nominations for the Milleman Family Mentorship Award. This award was established to recognize faculty members, academic advisers, teaching assistants, or club advisers who go above and beyond for their undergraduate students, both in the classroom and individually.
Nominations for the mentorship award are closed. Nominators must be current Iowa State students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
The applications will include a short essay describing the nominee’s contributions to Iowa State.