February 16, 2010
AMES, Iowa - The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University presented annual awards to faculty and staff at its spring semester convocation on Feb. 12. Award winners include:
Russ Mullen, professor of agronomy, received the Outstanding Advisor Award. For 31 years, Mullen has taught undergraduate courses and advised students in agronomy and seed science. He has received numerous awards for his advising.
Jeanne Serb, assistant professor in ecology, evolution and organismal biology, received the Early Achievement in Teaching Award. Serb joined the Iowa State faculty in 2004 and teaches undergraduate and graduate biology.
Gwyn Beattie, professor in plant pathology, received the Outstanding Achievement in Teaching Award. She is the Robert Earle Buchanan Distinguished Professor of Bacteriology for Research and Nomenclature. Beattie helps students develop critical thinking and communication skills.
Bradley Miller is this year's recipient of the Student Recruitment and Retention Award. Miller coordinates undergraduate advising for the agronomy and environmental science majors. His marketing skills have helped double the combined enrollments in these two majors during the past three years.
Thomas Brumm, associate professor in the agricultural biosystems and engineering department, received the Learning Community Coordinator Award. Brumm has been an innovative leader in making the Technology Learning Community a success and helping students develop peer networks and enhance their learning experience.
Allan Ciha, instructor with the Masters Agronomy Distance Program, received the Distance Education Teaching Award. Ciha's 30 years of experience as an agronomist and his teaching methods have helped students learn problem-solving skills and succeed in his classes.
Hongwei Xin , professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering, received the Outstanding Achievement in International Agriculture Award. Xin is an outstanding researcher and educator with a passion for making global connections. He has hosted visiting scholars, co-authored publications and established collaborative programs with universities and institutions throughout the world.
Cornelia Flora, Charles F. Curtiss Distinguished Professor of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and Jan Flora, professor of sociology, received the Faculty Award for Diversity Enhancement. Both the Floras work in the department of sociology, both have mentored students throughout the world and both work to enrich the diversity experience at Iowa State.
Ken Stalder, professor of animal science, received the Outstanding Achievement in Extension Award. Stalder has implemented an aggressive swine extension and research program that has had regional, national and international impacts.
Gordon Arbuckle, assistant professor of sociology, received the Early Achievement in Extension Award. He oversees the Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll, which is an annual survey of farmers and rural non-farmers. The survey monitors changes occurring in agriculture and rural Iowa.
Constance Garnett, a program assistant with the department of genetics, development and cell biology, received the Professional and Scientific Outstanding New Professional Award. Garnett's creative and innovative contributions have benefited the entire department. She also works behind the scenes to help organize luncheons, orientation programs and tours for prospective students.
Richard Jauron, extension specialist in horticulture, received the Professional and Scientific Award. During his 25 years he has provided unbiased, research-based information to the public. Whenever there is a flood, freeze or garden-related problem, Jauron is the first to be contacted by the media.
Zhiliang Hu, associate scientist in animal science, received the Professional and Scientific Research Award. Since 2004, Hu has worked with a bioinformatics project led by Iowa State. The program coordinates national and international collaborations in computer-aided informatics for livestock animal genome research.
Philip Gassman, associate scientist in economics, received the Professional and Scientific Research Award. Gassman works with the Resource and Environmental Policy Division in the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development, which he joined in 1987. Since 2000, he has co-authored 18 grants, which secured $2 million in research funds.
David Grewell, assistant professor in agricultural and biosystems engineering, received the Early Achievement in Research Award. His techniques to improve bio-fuel and bio-plastics production are being explored by Iowa-based companies.
Michael Quist, assistant professor in natural resource ecology and management, received the Early Achievement in Research Award. Quist is working with scientists in the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to collaborate data that will benefit the people of Iowa and the Midwest. He is described as "one of the best and brightest fisheries scientists in North America".
Jacek Koziel, associate professor in agricultural and biosystems engineering, received the Mid-Career Achievement in Research Award. Koziel has established himself as a leading international expert in the chemical analysis of agricultural odors. He also is researching innovative techniques using ultraviolet light to break down odors, which could have tremendous impacts on swine production.
Patrick Schnable, Baker Professor of Agronomy, is the recipient of the Outstanding Achievement in Research Award. Schnable's team helped sequence the maize genome, announced in Science magazine in November. His numerous research accomplishments have brought attention to Iowa State and helped strengthen its reputation as a leader in plant genomics research.
The Team Award was presented to the Performance-based Watershed Management Team. The team members include, Lois Wright Morton, associate professor of sociology; Jerry Miller, former associate dean of extension and outreach in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences; Matt Helmers, associate professor of agriculture and biosystems engineering; Jerry DeWitt, professor of agronomy; Jackie Comito; program manager, Charles Wittman, communications specialist; and Jamie Benning, Chad Ingels, Ben Kuennen and Susan Brown, extension program specialists. The award recognizes faculty and staff who provided leadership in the statewide partnership that is dedicated to enabling citizen-led watershed groups to respond to agricultural non-point source pollution in local watersheds.
Ann Shuey, secretary in animal science, received the Merit Award for Achievement and Service. She has worked in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences since 1985. She manages the animal breeding and genetics group and is the accountant, grant manager, receptionist, student scheduler and reference person.
Al Christian and Joyce Shiers received the Lifetime Achievement Award. The award recognizes a faculty or staff member for extraordinary service to the college over an extended career — at least 30 years.
Christian is a legend in the pork industry and at Iowa State. He began working as a herdsman at the Swine Teaching Farm in 1959. Hundreds of students have graduated under his coaching and guidance.
Shiers retired last fall after 48 years of service to the college and to Iowa State. She worked with six of the college's 10 deans as a secretary and administrative assistant.
Doug Kenealy, university professor of animal science, received the USDA Food and Agriculture Sciences Excellence in Teaching Award last November. For 35 years, Kenealy has proven himself time and time again as an exceptional teacher, advisor and leader in curriculum development.
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