April 9, 2010
AMES, Iowa — Awards were presented April 8 to Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences faculty, alumni and students by the Iowa Chapter of the Honor Society of Agriculture, known as Gamma Sigma Delta.
Allen Trenkle received the Alumni Award of Merit. Trenkle earned bachelor, master's and doctorate degrees from Iowa State. Now an emeritus professor of animal science, he retired in January 2007 after 44 years on the faculty. The award is given to alumni who have contributed to the agriculture industry in exceptional ways.
Cindie Marie Luhman, director of research and development for Land O'Lakes Purina Feeds, received the Distinguished Achievement in Agriculture Award. Luhman received a bachelor's degree in animal science and a doctorate in nutritional physiology at Iowa State. The award recognizes exemplary contributions to agriculture in the form of teaching, research, extension, international or other distinguished service.
Three Mission Awards were presented, which recognize faculty in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences who have made exceptional contributions in helping Iowa State achieve its mission. The Teaching Award was presented to Wade Miller, agricultural education and studies. Kenneth Stalder, animal science, received the Extension Award. The International Award was presented to John Mabry, animal science.
The honor society also recognized two undergraduates. Joseph Thomas of Camanche, Iowa, received the Outstanding Sophomore Award. Samantha Voelkner of Duluth, Minn., received the Outstanding Senior Award. Both Thomas and Voelkner are majoring in animal science. These awards are presented to students who earn the highest grade point average in the sophomore and senior classes.
A total of 42 undergraduate students and 29 veterinary medicine and graduate students were inducted into the honor society at the April 8 event.
New chapter officers were installed. They are Howard Tyler, animal science, president; Mike Retallick, agricultural education and studies, vice president; Terri Bolyston, food science and human nutrition, secretary-treasurer; and Cynthia Haynes, horticulture, historian. Outgoing president is Ed Braun, plant pathology.
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.