April 13, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: David Wehner, Dean
College of Agriculture
(805) 756-2161
Twelve Receive Awards from Cal Poly College of Agriculture
SAN LUIS OBISPO -- Cal Poly's College of Agriculture recently honored
12 faculty and staff members for outstanding work and accomplishments.
"Without these individuals going above and beyond in their
work, we would not be able to provide our students with the level
of instruction that Cal Poly is famous for," said College of
Agriculture Dean David Wehner. The annual awards ceremony was held
in early April.
This year's awards, many sponsored by industry, were:
. The Dole Faculty Award for Teaching, given to
Professor Walter Mark,
Natural Resource Management Department. The award honors teaching
excellence and innovation. Mark has been with Cal Poly and the College
of Agriculture for 31 years and has distinguished himself not only
as an innovative teacher and researcher, but also as the former
director of the Swanton Pacific Ranch.
. The Dole Staff Award went to Jeff Reimer, technician
for the Natural
Resources Management Department. Reimer provides support to faculty,
staff and students in facilities and land management, computer and
equipment management, and is essential in supporting applied research
and forest management projects.
. The Outstanding Student Advisor Award, sponsored
by Seminis, went to
Horticulture and Crop Science Professor David Headrick, advisor
to the Crops Club and advisor to many students within and outside
the department. This award is for distinguished service and excellence
as a student advisor.
. The New Faculty Award for Teaching, sponsored
by Monsanto, went to
Food Science and Nutrition Professor Lisa Nicholson. Recipients
are instructors with less than 10 years of university teaching who
demonstrate outstanding potential and commitment. Nicholson was
recognized for her dedication to student development and her efforts
with her community-based service learning course.
. The Sustained Excellence Teaching Award, sponsored
by Sunkist, went
to Horticulture and Crop Science Professor John Phillips. The award
recognizes instructors with 10 or more years of distinguished university
teaching. Professor Phillips has masterfully taught virtually every
course in the Crop Science curriculum in his 25 years with the Department.
. The Plant Sciences Faculty Excellence Award,
sponsored by Plant
Sciences, Inc., was presented to Dairy Science Professor Phil Tong.
The award recognizes outstanding contributions by faculty in applied
research, teaching and service. Tong was honored for his extensive
research and graduate teaching efforts with the Dairy Products Technology
Center.
. The College of Agriculture Special Awards, presented
to Professor
John Harris of the Natural Resource Management Department and Professor
Scott Jeffreys of the Horticulture and Crop Science Department.
Harris was recognized for his outstanding service within the department,
Academic Senate, community and student clubs. Jeffreys was honored
for his efforts to enhance the beekeeping program by renovating
facilities and increasing student demand for the courses.
. The Rain for Rent Agriculture Staff Awards were
presented to Ellen
Brack, a support technician in the Horticulture and Crop Science
Department; and Karen Hampshire, a clerk for the Irrigation Training
and Research Center. Brack was recognized for her work in upgrading
the Environmental Horticultural Unit. Hampshire was honored for
expanding her role in supporting the many faculty and staff of the
IRTC.
. The Talley Farms Agriculture Staff Award was
presented to Jackie
Hatch of the Dairy Science Department and the Smithers-Oasis Agriculture
Staff Award was presented to Claudia Tantum of the Horticulture
and Crop Science Department. Both individuals were recognized for
their dedication and service to their respective departments.
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