Issue: 1378

CALS Online and Dean’s Message
March 2, 2026

Dean’s Message

Hello CALS – This week’s CALS Online newsletter features your colleagues who will be honored next Monday, March 9, at 4:10 p.m. at the annual CALS Faculty and Staff Awards ceremony in 127 Curtiss Hall! Please turn out for that, help applaud your colleagues and enjoy some very excellent CALS spirit…

2026 CALS Faculty and Staff Awards

Faculty Teaching and Advising Awards

Early Achievement in Teaching Award – Samuel Mindes, sociology and criminal justice
Early Achievement in Teaching Award – Amber Anderson, agronomy
Outstanding Achievement in Teaching Award – Shawn Dorius, sociology and criminal justice
Outstanding Achievement in Teaching Award – Jan Wiersema, agronomy
Early Achievement in Advising Award – Ann Kolthoff, animal science
Outstanding Achievement in Advising Award – Christen Burgett, animal science

Faculty Research Awards

Early Achievement in Research Award – Karl Kerns, animal science
Mid-Career Achievement in Research Award – Ryan Smith, plant pathology, entomology and microbiology
Outstanding Achievement in Research Award – Aileen Keating, animal science
Dean Lee R. Kolmer Award for Excellence in Applied Research – Laura Greiner, animal science

Extension and Outreach Awards

Early Achievement in Extension and Outreach Award – Richard Roth, agronomy
Outstanding Achievement in Extension and Outreach Award – Laura Greiner, Iowa Pig Industry Center
Early Achievement in Extension and Outreach Award – Jacob Manternach, animal science
Outstanding Achievement in Extension and Outreach Award – Lesa Vold, Egg Industry Center

Staff Awards

Early Achievement in Advising Award – Chase Olsen, natural resource ecology and management
Outstanding Achievement in Advising Award – Tamara Kerns, agricultural and biosystems engineering
Early Achievement in Research Award – Ahlea Forster, animal science
Outstanding Achievement in Research Award – Breah LaSarre, plant pathology, entomology and microbiology
Early Achievement Award – Jennifer McGill, natural resource ecology and management
Outstanding Achievement Award – Danielle Clark, agronomy
Service and Dedication Award – Alan Gaul, Seed Science Center
Creative Impact Award – Erin Norton, Midwest Grape and Wine Industry Institute

Global Engagement and Team Awards

Outstanding Achievement in International Agriculture Award – Richard Cruse, agronomy
Team Award – Improving Pig Livability

2025 Faculty and Staff Awards, by Department

Departments were asked to submit notable honors and awards received by faculty and staff in 2025. Congratulations to those listed below, and thank you to those who shared the information.

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

Bailey Adams – Newcomer Engineer of the Year Award, Iowa Chapter of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers
Ben Covington (Digital Ag Innovation Lab) – Staff Service and Dedication Award, CALS
Matt Helmers – ANR Programming Innovation Award, ISU Extension and Outreach
Adina Howe – Promotion to Professor, ISU
Amy Kaleita – Larry and Bunita Buss Endowed Department Chair
Amy Kaleita – James R. and Karen A. Gilley Academic Leadership Award, American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers
Ramesh Kanwar – National Multistate Research Excellence Award, USDA
Rachel Kennedy – ANR Programming Innovation Award, ISU Extension and Outreach
Melissa McEnany – ANR Programming Innovation Award, ISU Extension and Outreach
Manjit Misra – Lalit and Aruna Verma Award for Excellence in Global Engagement, American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers
Gretchen Mosher – Marvin A. Pomerantz Award for Faculty Enrichment, ISU
Raj Raman – ANR Programming Innovation Award, ISU Extension and Outreach
Ryan Saxon – Faculty Excellence Award, Association of Technology, Management and Applied Engineering
Timothy Shepherd – Dr. Carl Bern Professorship, ISU
Brian Steward – 25 Year Club, ISU

Agricultural Education and Studies

Ben Chamberlain – Years of Service to Learning Communities (15), ISU
Nate Dobbels – Milleman Family Mentorship Award, CALS Student Council
Nancy Grudens-Schuck – 25 Year Club, ISU
Fally Masambuka-Kanchewa – Distinguished Oral Presentation, North Central American Association for Agricultural Education
Fally Masambuka-Kanchewa – Distinguished Oral Presentation, Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education
Shuyang Qu – Distinguished Oral Presentation, North Central American Association for Agricultural Education
Shuyang Qu – Distinguished Oral Presentation, Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education
Michael Retallick – Distinguished Oral Presentation, Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education
Amber Rice – Honorary American Degree, National FFA
Scott Smalley – Promotion to Professor, ISU
Scott Smalley – Journal of Agricultural Education Article of the Year Award, American Association for Agricultural Education
Scott Smalley – Top 10 Research Poster Award, American Association for Agricultural Education
Teacher Education Team – Blue and Gold Award, Iowa FFA

Agronomy

Amber Anderson – Iowa Open Educational Resources Supplementary Materials Award, Iowa OER
Sotirios Archontoulis (Iowa Nitrogen Initiative) – Team Award, CALS
Sotirios Archontoulis – Fellow, Crop Science Society of America
Mitchell Baum (Iowa Nitrogen Initiative) – Team Award, CALS
Mike Castellano (Iowa Nitrogen Initiative) – Team Award, CALS
Amy Cooper (Iowa Nitrogen Initiative) – Team Award, CALS
Richard Cruse – 25 Year Club (45), ISU
Daryl Herzmann – Staff Creative Impact Award, CALS
Isaiah Huber (Iowa Nitrogen Initiative) – Team Award, CALS
Mark Licht – Raymond and Mary Baker Agronomic Excellence Award, CALS
Thomas Lübberstedt – Outstanding Achievement in International Agriculture Award, CALS
Thomas Lübberstedt – International Service Award, ISU
Antonio Mallarino – Iowa Master Farmer Exceptional Service to Agriculture Award, Wallaces Farmer
Fernando Miguez (Soynomics) – Award for Interdisciplinary Team Research, ISU
Melissa Miller (Iowa Nitrogen Initiative) – Team Award, CALS
Raheel Osman (Iowa Nitrogen Initiative) – Team Award, CALS
Arti Singh – Rossmann Manatt Faculty Development Award, CALS
Arti Singh (Soynomics) – Award for Interdisciplinary Team Research, ISU
Patrick Schnable – Fellow, National Academy of Inventors
Mary Wiedenhoeft – 25 Year Club, ISU

Animal Science

Peggy Auwerda – 25 Year Club (35), ISU
Donald Beitz – Outstanding Alumni Award, Michigan State University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
David Bruene – Staff Outstanding Achievement Award, CALS
David Bruene – Professional and Scientific Excellence Award, ISU
Jennifer Bundy – Years of Service to Learning Communities (10), ISU
Garland Dahlke – Professional and Scientific Excellence Award, ISU
Sandamali Dassanayake – Staff Community Excellence Award, CALS
James Dickson – Distinguished Achievement in Agriculture Award, Gamma Sigma Delta
Beth Doran, Iowa Beef Center – Hall of Fame, Sioux County 4-H
Nicholas Gabler – American Feed Industry Association Award in Nonruminant Nutrition Research, American Society of Animal Science
Laura Greiner – Extension Mission Award, Gamma Sigma Delta
Stephanie Hansen – Margaret Ellen White Graduate Faculty Award, ISU
Anna Johnson – Community Excellence Award, CALS
Anna Johnson – Morrill Professor, ISU
Karl Kerns – Early Achievement in Teaching Award (T/TE), CALS
Karl Kerns – Award for Early Achievement in Teaching, ISU
Dawn Koltes – Teaching Mission Award, Gamma Sigma Delta
Cheryl Morris – Outstanding Achievement in Teaching Award (T/TE), CALS
Steven Niebuhr – 25 Year Club (45), ISU
Lauren Pierce – Early Achievement in Advising Award, CALS
Kelsey Powell – Staff Outstanding Achievement in Advising Award, CALS
Missey Roths – Staff Early Achievement in Research Award, CALS
Juan Steibel – Research Mission Award, Gamma Sigma Delta
Jodi Sterle – Purina Animal Nutrition LLC/Land O’Lakes Inc. Distinguished Teacher Award, American Society of Animal Science
Lesa Vold, Egg Industry Center – Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame, Iowa 4-H Foundation
Cory Walker – Regents Award for Staff Excellence, ISU
Maria Wurzinger – Rothschild Endowed Professor in Global Food Security and Animal Science, CALS
Curtis Youngs – Hall of Fame, Minnesota FFA

Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology

Amy Andreotti – Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science
Amy Andreotti – Award for Excellence in Graduate Mentoring, LAS
Lee Bendickson – Regents Award for Staff Excellence, ISU
Mark Hargrove – Award for Early Achievement in Departmental Leadership, LAS
Gustavo MacIntosh – University Professor, ISU
Gustavo MacIntosh – Fellow, American Society of Plant Biologists
Scott Nelson – Regents Award for Faculty Excellence, ISU
Dipali Sashital – Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, White House
Dipali Sashital – Suresh Faculty Fellowship, LAS

Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology

Lori Biederman – Advanced to Adjunct Professor, ISU
Amy Burgin – Leadership Award, Society for Freshwater Science
Lynn Clark – José Cuatrecasas Medal for Excellence in Tropical Botany, Smithsonian Museum of Natural History
Lynn Clark – Distinguished Professor, ISU
Madelyn Clements – P&S Outstanding New Professional Award, LAS
William Crumpton – Award for Excellence in Graduate Mentoring, LAS
Corinna Most – Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Introductory Teaching (Term), LAS
Samantha Smith – CYtation Award, ISU Professional and Scientific Council
Amy Toth – Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science
Jonathan Wendel – Cotton Genetics Research Award, National Cotton Council of America

Economics

Amani Elobeid – 2025 Women Impacting ISU Calendar, Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics, ISU
Amani Elobeid – Outstanding Achievement in Research Award (Term), CALS
Hongli Feng (Agrivoltaics Team) – Dean’s Citation for Extraordinary Contributions to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, CALS
Dermot Hayes – Distinguished Service Award, U.S. Meat Export Federation
Sergio Lence – Fellow, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association
Darin Wohlgemuth – Advanced to Teaching Professor, ISU

Food Science and Human Nutrition

Smaranda Andrews – Advanced to Associate Teaching Professor, ISU
Erica Beirman – Richard and Nancy Degner Teaching Professor in Culinary Food Science, ISU
Terri Boylston – 25 Year Club, ISU
Greg Curtzwiler – Promotion to Associate Professor with Tenure, ISU
Elizabeth Dahlstrom Burnley – Online Teaching Award, CHHS
Mridul Datta – Medallion Award, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Sarah Francis – Award for Outstanding Achievement in Extension or Professional Practice, ISU
Kate Gilbert – Outstanding Achievement in Teaching Award (Term), CALS
Elizabeth McNeill – Outstanding Undergraduate and Graduate Mentoring Award, CHHS
Anne Packard – P&S Distinguished Service in Administration Award, CHHS
Kevin Schalinske – 25 Year Club, ISU
Joey Talbert – Sandra S. and Roy W. Uelner Professorship Medallion, CHHS

Genetics, Development and Cell Biology

Kyaw Aung – Promotion to Associate Professor with Tenure, ISU
Hua Bai – Award for Mid-Career Achievement in Research, LAS
Clark Coffman – Years of Service to Learning Communities (10), ISU
Alison Esser – Years of Service to Learning Communities (5), ISU
Jeff Essner – Teaching Award, ISU GDCB Department
Shobhana Ghimire – Award for Outstanding Efforts and Strong Work Ethic, ISU GDCB Department
Michelle Guo – Research Award, ISU GDCB Department
Meredith Horrell – Award for Excellence in Dedication and Performance in the Daily Operation of GDCB, ISU GDCB Department
Dior Kelley – Early Achievement in Research Award, CALS
Dior Kelley – Promotion to Associate Professor with Tenure, ISU
Aron Nakama – P&S Excellence Award, LAS
Renu Srivastava – Early Achievement in Teaching Award (Term), CALS
Renu Srivastava – Advanced to Associate Teaching Professor, ISU
Geetu Tuteja – Bailey Award, ISU
Erik Vollbrecht – Pioneer Hi-Bred Chair in Molecular Biology of Maize, CALS
Yanhai Yin – Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher

Horticulture

Jacie Legois (Agrivoltaics Team) – Dean’s Citation for Extraordinary Contributions to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, CALS
Ajay Nair (Agrivoltaics Team) – Dean’s Citation for Extraordinary Contributions to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, CALS
Gail Nonnecke – International Agriculture Mission Award, Gamma Sigma Delta
Suzanne Slack (Agrivoltaics Team) – Dean’s Citation for Extraordinary Contributions to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, CALS
Aaron Steil – Gold Laurel Medal for Writing Category, GardenComm: Garden Communicators International
Aaron Steil – Gold Laurel Medal for Speaking and Broadcasting Category, GardenComm: Garden Communicators International
Adam Thoms – Outstanding Achievement in Advising Award, CALS

Natural Resource Ecology and Management

Julia Baker – Early Achievement in Extension and Outreach Award, CALS
Julia Baker – Award for Early Achievement in Extension or Professional Practice, ISU
William Beck – Promotion to Associate Professor with Tenure, ISU
William Beck - ANR Success Story Award for the Iowa Master Woodland Steward Program, ISU Extension and Outreach
Gunnar Kramer – W. Robert Parks Honors Commendation, ISU Honors Program
Lisa Schulte Moore – Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science
Lisa Schulte Moore – Distinguished Professor, ISU
Richard Schultz – 25 Year Club (45), ISU
Lidia Skrynnikova – Distance Education Teaching Award, CALS
Timothy Stewart – Milleman Family Mentorship Award, CALS Student Council
John Tyndall (Agrivoltaics Team) – Dean’s Citation for Extraordinary Contributions to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, CALS

Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology

Randall Cass (Agrivoltaics Team) – Dean’s Citation for Extraordinary Contributions to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, CALS
Daren Mueller (Soynomics) – Award for Interdisciplinary Team Research, ISU
Matt O’Neal (Agrivoltaics Team) – Dean’s Citation for Extraordinary Contributions to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, CALS
Matt O’Neal (Soynomics) – Award for Interdisciplinary Team Research, ISU
Greg Tylka (Soynomics) – Award for Interdisciplinary Team Research, ISU
Greg Tylka, Iowa Soybean Research Center – Distinguished Service Award, Iowa Soybean Association
Justin Walley – Mid-Career Achievement in Research Award, CALS
Stith Wiggs – Staff Outstanding Achievement in Research Award, CALS
Wendy Wintersteen – Enduring Impact Award, Iowa Soybean Association

Sociology and Criminal Justice

J. Gordon Arbuckle – Dean Lee R. Kolmer Award for Excellence in Applied Research, CALS
Ramesh Balayar – Advanced to Associate Teaching Professor, ISU
Jeffrey Brinkley – Advanced to Teaching Professor, ISU
Rachel Burlingame – 2025 Women Impacting ISU Calendar, Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics, ISU
Katherine Dentzman – Best Paper Award, Rural Sociological Society
Shawn Dorius – Promotion to Professor, ISU
Shannon Harper – Promotion to Associate Professor with Tenure, ISU
Samuel Mindes – Excellence in Instruction Award, Rural Sociological Society

Statistics

Petruta Caragea – Institutional Service Award, LAS
Petruta Caragea – Cassling Family Faculty Award for Outstanding Achievement in Teaching, LAS
Petruta Caragea – Faculty Excellence Award, LAS
Wesley Cox – Award for Early Achievement in Teaching, LAS
Ulrike Genschel – Champion Award (Team), LAS
Ann Hawkins – Champion Award (Team), LAS
Kevin Kasper – Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Introductory Teaching, LAS
Peng Liu – Award for Excellence in Graduate Mentoring, LAS
Dan Nettleton – Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science
Jarad Niemi – Champion Award (Team), LAS
Mack Shelley – Faculty Excellence Award, LAS
Cindy Yu – Award for Outstanding Achievement in Extension or Professional Practice, LAS
Zhengyuan Zhu – Award for Outstanding Achievement in Research, LAS
Laura Ziegler – Champion Award (Team), LAS

CALS Administration and Centers

Wendy Borja-Diaz – CYtation Award, ISU Professional and Scientific Council
Jeff Braland, Horticulture Research Station – 25 Year Club (45), ISU
David Brenner, North Central Regional Plant Introduction Station – 25 Year Club (35), ISU
Jordan Gillespie – Staff Early Achievement Award, CALS
Susana Goggi, Seed Science Center – 30 High-Impact Women in U.S. Seed, Seed World Magazine
Tim Goode, Iowa State Research Farms (Agrivoltaics Team) – Dean’s Citation for Extraordinary Contributions to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, CALS
Tess Howard, Seed Science Center – CYtation Award, ISU Professional and Scientific Council
Kelly Iverson, Seed Science Center – 30 High-Impact Women in U.S. Seed, Seed World Magazine
Steve Jonas, Iowa State Research Farms (Agrivoltaics Team) – Dean’s Citation for Extraordinary Contributions to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, CALS
Raymond Klein (Agrivoltaics Team) – Dean’s Citation for Extraordinary Contributions to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, CALS
Clarke McGrath, Iowa Soybean Research Center – 25 Year Club, ISU
Lulu Rodriguez, Seed Science Center – Journal of Applied Communications Reviewer of the Year, Association for Communication Excellence
Camille Schroeder, Kent Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex – 25 Year Club, ISU
Seed Science Center (Seed Technology and Business Graduate Degree Program) – Gold Award in Special Events, Council for Advancement and Support of Education Circle of Excellence Awards
Seed Science Center (Seed Technology and Business Graduate Degree Program) – Gold Award in Special Events, Council for Advancement and Support of Education District VI
Seed Science Center – Gold Award for Electronic Media/Video, Association for Communication Excellence
Seed Science Center – Silver Award for Marketing, Association for Communication Excellence
Asheesh “Danny” Singh – Outstanding Achievement in Research Award, CALS
Asheesh “Danny” Singh – Margaret Ellen White Graduate Faculty Award, ISU
Asheesh “Danny” Singh (Soynomics) – Award for Interdisciplinary Team Research, ISU
Julie Stewart – 25 Year Club (35), ISU
Shelley Taylor, Office for Global Engagement – 25 Year Club, ISU
Kristine Tidgren (Agrivoltaics Team) – Dean’s Citation for Extraordinary Contributions to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, CALS
Kim Vo – 25 Year Club (35), ISU
Mark Wuebker, Iowa State Research Farms (Agrivoltaics Team) – Dean’s Citation for Extraordinary Contributions to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, CALS

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online

Julie Stewart, Editor
jstewart@iastate.edu, (515) 294-5616
https://www.cals.iastate.edu/cals-online

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online, the newsletter for faculty and staff in Iowa State University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, is published by email every Monday. The deadline for submitting content is 12 p.m. on Thursday.

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