On July 30, 2021, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture presented more than 30 awards and promotions to Institute personnel.
More information about each award winner may be accessed at the links included below. Scroll down for all awards and promotions.
Awards
The Charles and Patricia Goan Excellence in Customer Service Award
This award, established by Dean Emeritus Charles Goan and his wife, Pat, recognizes Extension employees who complete or aid in completing exemplary work to further Extension priorities, and provide or aid in providing Extension customers with excellent service, knowledge, and information as requested. The award recognizes excellence and is open to all faculty and staff.
The Charles and Julie Wharton Award for Outstanding Extension Achievements
Established by longtime supporters of the Institute of Agriculture Charles Wharton and his late wife Julie, and now supported by Charles and Lori Wharton, this award is presented to three UT Extension agents annually. These agents may conduct programs in any area, including agriculture and natural resources, family and consumer sciences, 4-H youth development, and resource development. Special consideration is given to those individuals who have demonstrated excellence in serving local needs for five years or more.
Ann and Bill Hicks Outstanding New Extension Worker Award
Established by Bill Hicks, dean emeritus of Extension, and his wife Ann. Awarded annually to recognize an outstanding employee with at least three years, but not more than five years, of service with UT Extension. The award recipient is selected by a committee that includes past winners of the Outstanding New Extension Worker Award and is presented each year to an Extension agent, area specialist, or specialist.
TAAA&S-Hicks Awards of Excellence
Established by the Tennessee Association of Agricultural Agents and Specialists and other endowment funds, this award is presented annually to up to three agricultural Extension faculty who are also members of TAAA&S.
Vernon and Ida Darter Award
Darter and his wife, the late Ida Darter, this award recognizes excellence among the ranks of associate Extension agents.
G. L. Carter Jr. Outstanding 4-H Youth Development Agent Award
This award was established by the late G.L. Carter Jr., whose Extension career began in 1949 in Greene County where he served as a 4-H agent. He was also a Hamblen County 4-H member. Carter was the first in his family to graduate from college, later earning an MS and a PhD from the University of Wisconsin. His 44-year career included working as the youth editor of a farm and ranch magazine; serving as a state 4-H staff member in both Tennessee and North Carolina; and helping to create the Journal of Extension, a professional publication for Extension agents and specialists. Carter has provided the funding through an endowment to recognize an Outstanding 4-H Youth Development Agent.
Alice Ann Moore Outstanding 4-H Agent Award
This award was established by Alice Ann Moore, former director of UT Extension 4-H Youth Development programs, who, for over thirty years, has provided exemplary service to the University of Tennessee in many capacities. She herself was a 4-H member in Crockett County. Under her leadership, Tennessee 4-H developed a life skills evaluation system that is nationally recognized as a ground-breaking scientific means of providing feedback on the effectiveness of 4-H youth education programs. She is also an honorary life member of the Tennessee 4-H Foundation.
William D. Bishop Outstanding Service Award
Presented in memory of Dean Emeritus William D. Bishop, this award recognizes a member of the field force of University of Tennessee Extension who has contributed most to the attainment of Extension objectives.
Webster Pendergrass Outstanding Service Award
This award is presented in memory of former Vice President for Agriculture Webster Pendergrass and recognizes a teaching, research, or Extension faculty member who has contributed most to the fulfillment of the Institute’s goals and objectives.
E. J. Chapman Outstanding Service Award
Established by the late E.J. Chapman, who served the university in a wide range of capacities from agronomist to assistant vice president for agriculture, this award recognizes a member of the supporting staff of the teaching, research, or Extension divisions.
Cavender Outstanding Award for Best Publication
Established by the late Dutch Cavender, former director of communications, and his late wife, Marilee, this award recognizes excellence in the development of published material produced by professionals in the Institute of Agriculture. This year, we recognize two publications series. These co-winners were chosen from peer-reviewed publications produced by units of UTIA.
Cavender Outstanding Award for Best Publication Award Announcement
Manufacturing Non-Potentially Hazardous Foods for Sale in Tennessee Without a Permit (PB 1881)
Mark Morgan
Professor, Department of Food Science
Nathan Miller
Manager, Department of Food Science
Megan Leffew
Extension Specialist III, Center for Profitable Agriculture
Your Guide to Food Pantries (PB 1884)
Christopher Sneed
Assistant Professor, UT Extension Family and Consumer Sciences
Janie Burney
Professor, UT Extension Family and Consumer Sciences
Ann Berry
Professor, UT Extension Family and Consumer Sciences
J. E. Moss Achievement Awards
Established in memory of J.E. and Ann Moss, this award recognizes excellent achievement in teaching, research, and Extension for the Institute of Agriculture. Awards are provided each year for each of the four units of the Institute of Agriculture. They are selected by a committee, including the senior vice president and senior vice chancellor and the four deans of the Institute.
Deborah Shepherd
Counselor, UT College of Veterinary Medicine
Williams – E. R. “Prof” Lidvall Outstanding Teaching Award
Established by Mr. Donald E. Williams, a 1961 graduate of the Herbert College of Agriculture, this award honors his former professor and mentor, Professor E.R. Lidvall. The award recognizes faculty who exemplify Lidvall’s commitment to excellence in the classroom and his commitment to the needs and interests of the student.
Miles Award for Community Service
Named for the late William T. Miles, respected medical doctor, this award was established by his son, the late Curtis W. Miles, a longtime devotee of the field trials at the Ames AgResearch and Education Center located near Grand Junction, Tennessee. In accordance with the younger Miles’ life philosophy, “Treat people like you want to be treated,” the award recognizes significant contributions and service to the Knoxville community.
B. Ray Thompson Sr. Outstanding Faculty Performance Award
This award is made possible by earnings from the Thompson Faculty Endowment and is presented annually to faculty in the Institute who have distinguished themselves by their exceptional performance. This award rotates among the four divisions within the Institute of Agriculture.
Mildred Pendergrass Award for Outstanding Service
This award, presented in memory of Mildred Pendergrass, wife of the former Vice President for Agriculture Webster Pendergrass, is given to employees among the technical, skill, and service staff of the Institute.
Professional/Academic Award for Outstanding Service
Provided by the Institute of Agriculture administration, this award is given to a recipient among the professional and other academic employees who has contributed most to the attainment of the objectives of the Institute of Agriculture.
T. J. Whatley Distinguished Young Scientist Award
Established by the late Thomas Whatley, associate dean emeritus of UT AgResearch, this award recognizes a young scientist who has less than twelve years of professional experience, with a minimum of five years of service on the agricultural faculty.
AgResearch Impact Award
This award is presented to an AgResearch faculty or professional staff member whose efforts have had a profound effect on improving the efficiency, sustainability, and/or economic viability of the food and fiber industry of rural areas of Tennessee.
AgResearch Mid-Career Faculty Research Excellence Award
This award recognizes demonstrated commitment and meritorious achievements in research by faculty during the mid-stage of their academic career. Emphasis will be on the impacts that a faculty member’s efforts in research and technology development have had on UT AgResearch stakeholders or the science community at large, especially during the past five years. Both tenure and non-tenure track faculty are eligible.
AgResearch Dean’s Award for Outstanding Support Staff
The UT AgResearch Dean’s Award for Outstanding Support Staff honors and acknowledges excellence of employees in fulfilling their job responsibilities. The award recognizes employees who have demonstrated the following: competence and critical thinking; cooperativeness and team building; professionalism and ethical behavior; initiative and dependability; and excellent communication skills.
AgResearch Dean’s Award for Outstanding Professional Staff
The UT AgResearch Dean’s Award for Outstanding Professional Staff honors and acknowledges excellence of employees in fulfilling their job responsibilities. The award recognizes employees who have demonstrated the following: competence and critical thinking; cooperativeness and team building; professionalism and ethical behavior; initiative and dependability; and excellent communication skills.
Charles E. Wharton Institute Professor Award
The title of Institute Professor may be awarded to a faculty member who has served at the rank of professor for a period of at least seven years, in recognition of consistent outstanding performance over this period. This performance is evidenced by excellence in teaching, research, Extension, or clinical practice, and in the case of faculty members holding joint appointments, would be expected to reflect the distribution of the appointment. Leadership and reputation through service at the national and/or international levels within the faculty member’s scientific discipline is also expected.
