UIUC College of ACES Honors Award Winners

More than 200 people gathered at the I Hotel and Conference Center in Champaign to celebrate the 40^th anniversary of the University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) and Paul A. Funk Recognition Award Banquet Monday.

The Paul A. Funk Recognition Award is the College of ACES’ highest honor presented annually to faculty and academic professionals for outstanding achievement and major contributions to the betterment of agriculture, natural resources, and human systems, said ACES Dean Robert Hauser, host of the evening’s award ceremony.

Three faculty members headlined this year’s ceremony, including Rodney W. Johnson of the Department of Animal Sciences, Stephen P. Long of the Department of Crop Sciences, and Roderick I. Mackie of the Department of Animal Sciences.

“Science is really about people, it’s a personal thing,” remarked Roderick Mackie as he accepted his award. “It’s a struggle and a battle. We love it and that’s why we do it every day.”

In addition to honoring the accomplishments of these three scientists, Hauser recognized the excellence of more than 30 faculty, staff and alumni for their contributions to ACES.

Receiving the ACES Alumni Association Award of Merit were James J. Albrecht of Baltimore, Md., Howard M. Katz of Winnetka, Ill., Bruce A. Molitoris of Indianapolis, Ind., Johnny W. Pendleton of Savoy, Ill., and Jay J. Vroom of McLean, Va.

The Spitze Land-Grant Professorial Career Excellence Award was presented to John B. Braden of the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics.

Alan C. Hansen of the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering received the Faculty Award for Global Impact. 

The Senior Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching went to Kelly A. Tappenden of the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition. Angela D. Kent of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences received the College Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Department of Animal Sciences faculty Romana A. Nowak and Kelly S. Swanson won the Senior and College Faculty Awards for Excellence in Research, respectively.

Taking home the Senior Faculty Award for Excellence in Extension was Gary D. Schnitkey of the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics.

The Karl E. Gardner Outstanding Undergraduate Adviser Award went to Isaac K.O. Cann of the Department of Animal Sciences.

Jan Brooks of the Department of Human and Community Development captured the Teaching Associate Teaching Award.

The program in Environmental and Resource Economics (pERE) Team won the Team Award for Excellence. Its members included Amy W. Ando, Katherine R. Baylis, John B. Braden, Richard J. Brazee, Nicholas Brozovic, Don Fullerton, Geoffrey J.D. Hewings, Madhu Khanna and Hayri Önal.

Winners of the Professional Staff Awards for Excellence were Greg R. Stack, U of I Extension, for sustained excellence – teaching and outreach; Marcia H. Monaco Siegel, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, for sustained excellence – research; Joe E. Barron, Department of Animal Sciences, for sustained excellence – administrative/management or technical contributions; and John P. Arends, Information Technology and Communication Services, for innovation and creativity.

Sanna G. Frazier of the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition was presented with the Staff Award for Excellence.

The Marcella M. Nance Staff Award went to Shannon D. Maxey of the Department of Animal Sciences.

Mark A. Berhow of the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition received the Service Recognition Award.

The Graduate Student Research Award winners were Vermont P. Dia, a Ph.D. student in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, and Alison N. Beloshapka, a master’s degree student in the Department of Animal Sciences.