The Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the ISU Foundation will present awards to several CALS alums and friends at the 95th annual Honors & Awards Ceremony on Oct. 2.
The public ceremony will begin at 1:30 p.m. in Stephens Auditorium, immediately followed by a dessert reception. Registration is not required to attend.
CALS Awards
Floyd Andre Award
Sally Stutsman ('69 sociology) has dedicated her life to Iowa agriculture, rural communities, and public service. Raised in Fort Dodge, she earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Iowa State. There she met her husband, Roger (’68 farm operations). After marrying, they settled on a farm west of Hills in Johnson County, where they raised their family and continue to live in retirement.
As a farmer, community leader and public servant, Stutsman has been a strong advocate for Iowa agriculture throughout her career. She began as an adoption investigator with the Iowa Department of Human Services before moving into community development and public service. In 1994, she was elected to the Johnson County Board of Supervisors, serving five terms. In 2014, she was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives, where she served on the Agriculture Committee and helped found the House Democratic Rural Caucus. She also served on the Air Service Retention and Expansion Committee and was appointed by the governor to the Council of Human Services. She currently serves as commissioner to the Iowa Department of Transportation. Her legislative work focused on issues vital to rural Iowa, including agriculture, transportation, economic development, and quality of life in farming communities.
Stutsman previously served as an Iowa State Council for Agricultural Research, Extension and Teaching representative, advancing support for agricultural research and Extension programs that benefit Iowa producers. She has also supported conservation, community development and rural vitality through numerous civic organizations.
She has received several honors for her efforts, including Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce Farm Family of the Year and Woman of Influence by the Corridor Business Journal. Stutsman’s family includes her late son, Michael, and her daughter-in-law and granddaughter, who live on the family farm.
George Washington Carver Distinguished Service Award
Manjit Misra has dedicated his career to advancing global food and nutrition security through visionary leadership, innovation and service. During his time serving as director of Iowa State University’s Seed Science Center and professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering, he led efforts to strengthen seed systems in 79 countries, including 34 nations across Africa, helping improve agricultural productivity and food security for millions of people worldwide.
Misra’s impact extended nationally when former President Biden appointed him director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. There, he oversaw approximately $2 billion in annual investments supporting research, extension and education programs at more than 100 universities. Under his leadership, NIFA invested $100 million to establish five national artificial intelligence institutes and directed $262 million to the NextGen program, preparing future leaders to address critical challenges in food and agriculture.
A distinguished scholar and innovator, Misra has co-authored 137 publications and co-invented technologies resulting in 10 U.S. and international patents. He has provided leadership through numerous national committees, including chairing the USDA National Genetic Resources Advisory Council.
His many honors include the ASABE Sukup Global Food Security Award, the AE 50 Award, given to the top 50 innovators in the world, and the Distinguished Service Award for Leadership, Vision, and Exemplary Service to the U.S. Seed Industry from the American Seed Trade Association. Misra received the USDA Secretary’s NextGen award for workforce development. The President of India conferred on him an honorary Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) degree for his contributions to agriculture.
Misra also has a collection of Iowa State University-related honors, including the faculty and staff Outstanding Achievement in International Agriculture award, and the Order of the Knoll. Dr. George Washington Carver is Misra’s personal hero.
Henry A. Wallace Award
The Wallace Genetic Foundation was established in 1959 by Henry A. Wallace and Ilo B. Wallace with shares of the company they helped to found, Pioneer Hi-Bred Corn Company. In 1997 their three children - Henry B. Wallace, Robert Wallace, and Jean Wallace Douglas - as directors of the Foundation joined with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to provide funding to create the Henry A. Wallace Endowed Chair for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State, with additional support from Iowa State’s College of Agriculture and the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture. Descendants of Henry A. and Ilo have served on the board of Wallace Genetic Foundation and over time have amicably split the original Foundation to create separate Foundations that reflect more aptly the individual interests of each director. The Wallace Genetic Foundation currently focuses particularly on environmental stewardship, safe drinking water internationally, and protection of biodiversity.
Knapp-Wilson Award
Maynard G. Hogberg ('66 agricultural and life sciences education, '72 MS animal science, '76 PhD) exemplifies the spirit of Seaman Knapp and James Wilson through a career dedicated to service, innovation, and advancing agriculture through collaboration. As professor emeritus and former chair of Iowa State University’s Department of Animal Science, Hogberg has strengthened the connection between academia, industry, and communities while creating opportunities that have benefited generations of students, producers, and agricultural leaders.
A native of southwest Iowa and a three-time Iowa State graduate, Hogberg built a distinguished career at both Michigan State University and Iowa State, leading nationally recognized animal science programs and championing investments in research, education, and outreach. His leadership elevated the prominence and impact of both institutions while fostering partnerships that advanced animal agriculture nationwide.
Hogberg’s lasting contributions include helping establish the National Swine Registry, the National Junior Swine Association, and serving as president of both the American Society of Animal Science and the Federation of Animal Science Societies, shaping the future of the profession through visionary leadership and service. Honored with the 2016 Saddle and Sirloin Portrait Award and numerous distinguished service awards, Hogberg’s greatest legacy is the people and programs he has inspired.
Hogberg helped establish major Iowa State initiatives, including the U.S. Pork Center of Excellence, the Egg Industry Center, and the Jeff and Deb Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center. Through his commitment to innovation, mentorship, and building bridges across disciplines and organizations, he has embodied the land-grant mission and enriched Iowa State’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the broader agricultural community.
Outstanding Young Professional Award
Caleb Floss ('18 global resource systems, business economics) exemplifies the impact of a rising young leader in global agriculture, distinguishing himself through significant professional achievement and international leadership early in his career. Floss serves as deputy regional director of Southeast Asia and Oceania for the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council. This nonprofit organization promotes the global use of U.S. barley, corn, sorghum and related products, including ethanol and distiller’s dried grains with solubles. In his role, Floss contributes to the overall strategy and management of the council’s activities in southeast Asia.
Since joining the council in 2023 as manager of global programs in Washington, D.C., Floss has advanced rapidly through positions of increasing responsibility, relocating to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 2024 to serve as regional trade manager before being promoted to deputy regional director. Prior to his work with the council, he spent nearly four years as an economist with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. His professional experience also includes agricultural industry work through service with the ISU-Uganda Program, reflecting a longstanding commitment to international development and global food systems.
Floss’ Iowa State experience laid the foundation for his global career, including participation in the CALS Service Learning Program in Uganda, the CALS Dean’s Global Agriculture and Food Leadership Program in Italy, and an international internship with Cargill in Thailand. He was active in Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, served on the ISU Alumni Association Senior Class Council, and continued his engagement with Iowa State after graduation as an alumni representative on the global resource systems major’s advisory council.
ISU Foundation Awards
Outstanding Young Alumni Award
While at Iowa State studying animal science, Stephanie (Carlson) Couser ('13 animal science) joined five student organizations, including the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Student Council. After graduation, she began her career in the pork industry with Cargill Live Pork before joining the Iowa Pork Producers Association as producer outreach and federal policy director. Her expertise in agricultural policy led her to Washington, D.C., where she spent nearly six years as principal legislative advisor to Representative David Young and Senator Chuck Grassley, and as deputy legislative director for Senator Joni Ernst, leading Ernst’s work on the Senate Agriculture and Environment & Public Works committees.
Since 2024, she has advocated for producers as assistant vice president of state and national relations for the National Pork Producers Council, serving as the primary relationship manager for 42 state pork associations.
Couser also has a decorated record of service with the Iowa Army National Guard. During her eight years of service, she forward-deployed to Qatar for Operation Spartan Shield, rose to the rank of captain, and currently trains future lieutenants in Officer Candidate School. A true "citizen-soldier," she is deeply passionate about community service and advocacy, fundraising for the LUNGevity Foundation and On With Life Foundation.
A lifelong Cyclone born into an Iowa State family, Couser received the 2017 Emerging Iowa Leader Award and is an original member of the Curtiss League.
Couser and her husband, Tim ('09 agricultural studies), live and farm in Nevada, Iowa, and welcomed their first little Cyclone, daughter Marlowe, in August.
She is a member of the ISU Alumni Association and Cyclone Club.