Alumni, industry leaders honored during 2020 ANR Week

Abbey Miller<abmiller@msu.edu>, abmiller@msu.edu - February 25, 2020

The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) at Michigan State University (MSU) honored 13 leaders in agriculture and natural resources.

The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) at Michigan State University (MSU) honored 13 leaders in agriculture and natural resources for leadership at the community, state, national or international levels during an awards program at the Henry Center on March 6.

The CANR dean recognized two individuals with Distinguished Service Awards, the CANR Alumni Association will present seven awards and four faculty awards were awarded.

CANR 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 2020 Distinguished Service Award recipients are:

Frank Ettawageshik, director, United Tribes of Michigan.
Trever Meachum, High Acres Fruit Farm, Van Buren County.

CANR ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AWARDS

Alumni Service Award

The CANR Alumni Service Award 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. Recipients are:

Douglas J. Cron, Cron Management, former professor in Construction Management.

Distinguished Faculty Award

Distinguished Faculty Awards recognize 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. Recipients are:

George Bird, professor emeritus of nematology in the Department of Entomology.
Truman Surbrook, professor in the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award

The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award recognizes alumni for their professional accomplishments, service and contributions in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion to the CANR, their field and community. Receiving the DEI Award is:

Dave Weatherspoon, professor in the Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics (AFRE) where he teaches marketing and industrial organization.

Honorary Alumnus Award

The Honorary Alumnus 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. Receiving the Honorary Alumnus Award:

Troy Bancroft, president and CEO, AgroLiquid.

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. Recipients are:

Thomas Bailey, retired executive director, Little Traverse Conservancy.
Dirk Drost, head of the North America Crop Protection Development Project Management Department, Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC.

FACULTY AWARDS

CANR Excellence in Teaching – New Teacher Award

The CANR Excellence in Teaching – New Teacher Award recognizes individuals with less than five years of teaching experience who have demonstrated a commitment to quality scholarship of teaching and learning with demonstrated success in these areas.

Deanne Kelleher, fixed term academic specialist, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition.

CANR Excellence in Teaching – Established Teacher Award

The CANR Excellence in Teaching – Established Teacher Award recognizes individuals with five or more years of teaching experience who have demonstrated a commitment to quality scholarship of teaching, as evidenced by their contributions to teaching, learning and demonstrated success in these areas.

Michael Everett, professor and undergraduate program coordinator, Department of Community Sustainability.

Howard and Lili Camden Endowed Teacher/Scholar Award

The Howard and Lili Camden Endowed Teacher/Scholar Award recognizes individuals with five or more years of teaching service in CANR who have developed innovative teaching methods, mentored in- and out- of the classroom and demonstrated instructional excellence, scholarly achievement and professional linkages.

Wei Liao, professor, Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering.

CANR Graduate Student Teaching Award

The CANR Graduate Student Teaching Award recognizes graduate students for their exceptional teaching skills, implementation of innovative techniques and their contributions to undergraduate programs and impact on students' careers and colleagues' teaching/advising practices.

Tracy Melvin, teaching assistant and doctoral candidate, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife.

FARM LANE SOCIETY

In addition, nine individuals were inducted into the Farm Lane Society at a luncheon on March 6.

The Farm Lane Society honors individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and to foster their continuing involvement in the College and Alumni Association. Honorees are former CANR Alumni Association Board members or recipients of a CANR Alumni Association Award or the CANR Distinguished Service Award from the previous year.