Alumni & Friends

The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) at Michigan State University (MSU) honored 12 leaders in agriculture and natural resources for leadership at the community, state, national or international levels during an awards reception at the MSU Broad Art Museum on March 1.

The CANR Alumni Association presented 10 awards during the reception and the CANR dean recognized two individuals with Distinguished Service Awards.

Distinguished Service Awards

Distinguished Service Award recipients are recognized for outstanding contributions to Michigan’s agriculture and natural resources industries and who possess high standards of integrity and character to positively reflect and enhance the prestige of the CANR. These individuals demonstrate a commitment to MSU and CANR by continuing outstanding volunteerism and leadership on behalf of or in conjunction with the university on a local, state, national or international level.

The 2019 Distinguished Service Award recipients were:

• Robert Lambe, executive secretary of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission.
• Gordon Wenk, retired director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

CANR Alumni Association Awards

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award

Loston Rowe, retail market manager, FMC Corporation in Philadelphia, received the first ever Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award for professional accomplishments and service contributions to the CANR, his field and his community, in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion.

FMC Corporation provides solutions to growers around the world with a portfolio of proprietary crop protection products and a robust pipeline fueled by innovative discovery and development capabilities in crop protection, plant health and professional pest and turf maintenance solutions.

Distinguished Faculty Award

Joe Vargas received the 2019 Distinguished Faculty Award, which recognizes faculty members who have brought distinction to the CANR through teaching, research and/or outreach and provided leadership that has helped students, faculty members and/or citizens reach their potential for excellence.

Vargas is a professor in the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences. He studies fungicide resistance, disease management, biological control and chemical control, and breeding in turfgrass.

Outstanding Alumni Awards

Two awards for CANR Outstanding Alumni were given to those who have distinguished themselves by obtaining the highest level of professional accomplishments, and who possess the highest standards of integrity and character.

2019 Outstanding Alumni Awards were given to:

• Tom Cooley, wildlife biologist specialist in the Wildlife Division at the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
• Stan Moore, senior dairy educator in MSU Extension.

Outstanding Young Alumni Awards

Two CANR Outstanding Young Alumni Awards were given to individuals who have distinguished themselves by obtaining a high level of professional accomplishment and who possess high standards of integrity and character to positively reflect and enhance the prestige of the CANR:

• Amanda Shreve, program director, Michigan Farmers Market Association
• Abigail Lynch, research fish biologist, U.S. Geological Survey

Honorary Alumnus Award

Carol Fosburg, academic program coordinator for the Institute of Agricultural Technology in the MSU CANR, will receive the Honorary Alumnus Award. The award is given to someone who has made a distinctive contribution to the CANR on a state, national or international level; has relieved the suffering of disadvantaged people; or contributed to any unique program that benefits humankind.

Alumni Service Award

Robert Craig, president of Craig & Associates Consulting Inc., is the 2019 recipient of the CANR Alumni Service Award. The selection is made from candidates who have demonstrated continuing outstanding volunteer service to MSU, the CANR or meritorious public service on a local, state, national or international level. Candidates must possess the highest standards of integrity and character to positively reflect and enhance the prestige of the CANR.

Learn more about the CANR Distinguished Service Awards and CANR Alumni Association Awards.