2025 Awards and Promotions

On July 30, 2025, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture presented more than thirty awards and promotions to institute personnel.

More information about each award winner may be accessed at the links included below.

Awards


Faculty Global Lifetime Achievement Award

The UT Smith Center for International Sustainable Agriculture Faculty Global Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes a faculty member who has made significant and sustained contributions in teaching, research and/or extension across their UT career in support of the UT’s Global Vision of a world enriched by the power of ideas, made better through action, and inspired by the Volunteer Spirit of service and leadership through commitments to:

  • Producing innovative global research and teaching
  • Engaging meaningfully with existing partners and developing new long-term partners
  • Fostering lifelong engaged learning among UT students, UT alumni, and Tennesseans

Neelam Poudyal

Professor
School of Natural Resources


Faculty Global Excellence Award

The UT Smith Center for International Sustainable Agriculture Faculty Global Excellence Award will be presented annually to a faculty member who makes extraordinary contributions to the advancement of the international mission of the Institute. Preference will be given to faculty whose contributions enhance UTIA’s global reputation and visibility; demonstrate impact, influence, or innovation; and develop significant interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary teaching, research and/or extension programs.

Kristen Johnson

Kristen Johnson

Associate Professor
Department of Family and Consumer Sciences


Outstanding Staff Global Engagement Award

The UT Smith Center for International Sustainable Agriculture Outstanding Staff Global Engagement Award recognizes individual staff members for their outstanding engagement in support of globalizing the university’s missions of teaching, research, and/or extension. This award recognizes the contributions of individuals who make international programming more accessible to faculty, staff, and students and/or who raise the visibility of international programming across the Institute.

Sawyer Main

Sawyer Main

Extension Assistant II
Department of Animal Science


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.

Amy Kirk

Amy Kirk

Business Manager
Extension Evaluation and Staff Development


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.

Keith Allen

Keith Allen

Extension Agent II and County Director
Macon County

Sarah Orr

Sarah Orr

Extension Agent II and County Director
Cocke County

Brian White

Brian White

Extension Agent III and County Director
Henderson County


Ann and Bill Hicks Outstanding New Extension Worker Award

Established by Dr. 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

Charley Martinez

Charley Martinez

Assistant Professor
Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics


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.

Amanda Mathenia

Amanda Mathenia

Extension Agent III and County Director
Perry County

Rachel Painter

Rachel Painter

Extension Specialist I
Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics

Tim Woods

Tim Woods

Extension Agent III and County Director
McMinn County


Vernon and Ida Darter Award

Named for the late UT Extension Dean Emeritus Vernon W. Darter and his wife, the late Ida Darter, this award recognizes excellence among the ranks of associate Extension agents.

Emily Barton

Emily Barton

Extension Agent II
Hawkins County


Lloyd and Nettie Downen Endowment Fund Leadership Enhancement Award

Established by UT Extension Dean Emeritus M. Lloyd Downen and his wife, this award recognizes Extension faculty members who serve in leadership roles across the state.

Sreedhar Upendram

Sreedhar Upendram

Associate Professor
Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics


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 UT Extension 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.

Matthew Adams

Matthew Adams

Extension Area Specialist
Western Region Office


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 staff member with a supporting role in teaching, research, or Extension.

Kelly Wyatt

Kelly Wyatt

Administrative Support Assistant II
Decatur County


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.

Clint Cummings

Clint Cummings

Extension Specialist II
Department of Family and Consumer Sciences


William D. Bishop Outstanding Service Award

Presented in memory of Dean Emeritus William D. Bishop, this award recognizes a member of University of Tennessee Extension who has contributed most to the attainment of Extension objectives.

 Shelly Barnes

Shelly Barnes

Extension Specialist
Department of Family and Consumer Sciences


Mildred Pendergrass Award for Outstanding Service

This award, presented in memory of Mildred Pendergrass, wife of former Vice President for Agriculture Webster Pendergrass, is given to employees among the technical, skill, and service staff of the Institute.

Cristopher Miramontes

Cristopher Miramontes

Communications and Marketing Professional
Department of Family and Consumer Sciences


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

Matthew Devereaux

Matthew Devereaux

Professor
Department of Family and Consumer Sciences


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.

Applying Tennessee’s Definition of Agriculture to Land Use Questions Regarding Agritourism Activities

Megan Bruch Leffew

Megan Bruch Leffew

Extension Specialist III
Center for Profitable Agriculture

Katie Mason

Katie Mason

Associate Professor,
Department of Animal Science

Troy Rowan

Troy Rowan

Assistant Professor
Department of Animal Science


B. Ray Thompson Sr. Outstanding Faculty Performance Award

This award is made possible by the Thompson Faculty Endowment and is presented annually to Institute of Agriculture faculty who have distinguished themselves by their exceptional performance. This award rotates among the four units within the Institute of Agriculture.

Pierre-Yves Mulon

Pierre-Yves Mulon

Associate Professor
Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences


Williams – E. R. “Prof” Lidvall Outstanding Teaching Award

Established by 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.

Daniel Mathew

Daniel J. Mathew

Associate Professor
Department of Animal Science


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. Awardees are selected by a committee including the senior vice chancellor and senior vice president and the four deans of the institute.

John Buchanan

John R. Buchanan

Professor
Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science

Bryce Burton

Bryce Burton

Clinical Veterinarian
College of Veterinary Medicine, Office of Lab Animal Care

Walt Hitch

Walt Hitch

Research Center Director
Plateau AgResearch and Education Center

Sreedhar Upendram

Sreedhar Upendram

Associate Professor
Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics



T.J. Whatley Distinguished Young Scientist Award

Established by the late Associate Dean Emeritus Thomas Whatley 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.

Alicia Rihn

Alicia Rihn

Assistant Professor
Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics


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.

Tong (Toni) Wang

Tong (Toni) Wang

Charles R. Wharton Institute Professor
Department of Food Science


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.

Denita Hadziabdic Guerry

Denita Hadziabdic Guerry

Associate Professor
Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology


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.

Wes Gilliam

Wes Gilliam

Research Specialist III
Middle Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center at Spring Hill


UT 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.

Jessica McCord

Jessica McCord

Research Associate II
AgResearch Administration

Kendhl Seabright

Kendhl Seabright

Research Associate I
School of Natural Resources


UT AgResearch Dean’s Grantsmanship Award

The UT AgResearch Dean’s Grantsmanship Award recognizes the extraordinary effort of our faculty members in successfully securing competitive extramural grants and contracts and who exceed expectations of good departmental/institutional citizenship. This award is based on the total dollar amount of competitive extramural grants/contracts secured by the faculty member serving as principal or co-principal investigator.

Patrick Keyser

Patrick Keyser

Professor
School of Natural Resources

Scott Lenaghan

Scott Lenaghan

Associate Professor
Department of Food Science

Debasish Saha

Debasish Saha

Assistant Professor
Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science


Walter “Mac” Pate Endowed Fellow in Livestock Genetics

Pate was an outstanding dairy producer in Blount County who used genetic selection and advanced reproductive techniques to have one of the top dairies in rolling herd milk production for several years in Tennessee. The award, given by UT AgResearch and the UT College of Veterinary Medicine, acknowledges outstanding young faculty members who perform genetics research aimed at improving livestock production systems.

Troy Rowan

Troy Rowan

Assistant Professor
Department of Animal Science


AgResearch Guthrie Endowed Professor in Precision Livestock Farming

This new professorship recognizes outstanding achievements, national and international prominence, leadership and collaboration in growing UTIA’s precision livestock farming program. It also rewards faculty driven to accelerate the mission-critical thrust for UT to be the regional, national and global leader for precision livestock farming. In this position, the faculty member is expected to conduct innovations that will benefit poultry or livestock producers and allied industries in Tennessee and beyond while advancing disciplinary science and technology.

Yang Zhao

Yang Zhao

Associate Professor
Department of Animal Science


AgResearch Dean’s Professor Award

The AgResearch Dean’s Professor Award recognizes outstanding faculty who have sustained an active research and development program over their career. The purpose of this accolade is to recognize highly productive and impactful faculty members at the rank of Professor with the title of “AgResearch Dean’s Professor” in recognition of well-documented, consistent, and outstanding research products and key program impacts.

Juan Luis Jurat-Fuentes

Juan Luis Jurat-Fuentes

Professor
Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology


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.

Niki Labbé

Niki Labbé

Professor
School of Natural Resources

Promotions & Tenure


Ryan Brown, UT Extension Jefferson County

Melissa Shelton, UT Extension Unicoi County

Jared Stricklin, UT Extension Hardin County

Billy Ward II, UT Extension Johnson County

Whitney Whittaker, UT Extension Sumner County

Lacy Yeley, UT Extension Carroll County

Kinsey Hixson, UT Extension Rhea County

Jenny Smith, UT Extension Decatur County

Erin Thomasson, UT Extension Grundy County

Vickie Witcher, UT Extension Dickson County

Sarah Arnold, UT Extension Johnson County

Adam Hopkins, UT Extension Sevier County

Lindsay Stephenson, UT Extension Haywood County

Sawyer Main, Department of Animal Science

David Bilderback, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics

Tori Griffin, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics

Les Humpal, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics

Jeanmarie Salie, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences

Jennifer Ward, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences

Carla Bush, UT Extension Central Region

Victoria Beasley, Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications

Jonathan Walton, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics

Chad Lothamer, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences

Zenithson Ng, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences

Adam Willcox, School of Natural Resources

Lori Duncan, Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science

Hao Gan, Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science

Andi Lear, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences

Daniel Mathew, Department of Animal Science

Sarah Moorey, Department of Animal Science

Bode Olukolu, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology

Mike Ross, Department of Plant Sciences

Joe Smith, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences

Nora Springer, Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences

Jackie Yenerall, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics

Natalie Bumgarner, Department of Plant Sciences

Karen DeLong, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics

Rick Gerhold, Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences

Tom Gill, Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications

Heather Sedges, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences

Charlie Kwit, School of Natural Resources

Girish Neelakanta, Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences

Renata Nave Oakes, Department of Plant Sciences

Tyson Raper, Department of Plant Sciences

Meg Staton, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology

Lew Strickland, Department of Animal Science

Hameeda Sultana, Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences

Karen Franck, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences

Tom Tabler, Department of Animal Science