Celebration of Excellence shows CAFNR’s accomplishments
By Cat Vaughn, Corner Post staff

The College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources hosted the 2005 Celebration of Excellence April 14, 2005, at Reynolds Alumni Center. The Celebration of Excellence is a night of awards to prominent people active in CAFNR.

The night started at 5:30 p.m. with a reception in the Alumni Center. This gave everyone a chance to mingle and associate with others in the college. At 6:30 p.m., seating for dinner began and the awards ceremony started with opening statements by Vice Chancellor and Dean Thomas Payne.

“We come together tonight to represent the best of the best, because we have the best college,” said Payne.

The most anticipated awards of the night were the Frederick B. Mumford awards. These awards are kept secret until the night of the event and recognize the people who have best demonstrated a commitment to the land grant concept, Payne said.

The Frederick B. Mumford Outstanding Faculty Member Award was given to Michael Nolan, director for the applied social sciences division. He oversees ag journalism, ag economics, ag education, and rural sociology. Said to have a “selfless attitude,” Nolan is a “master of promoting interdisciplinary support.”

In response to the award Nolan said, “I know these shoes are big, but I hope to live up to the expectations.”

The Frederick B. Mumford Outstanding Staff Award went to Mary Ellen Roth. Roth is the executive staff associate II for the agricultural biochemistry department. Her fellow co-workers described Roth as, “efficient,” and she “makes the work look easy.”

“ We are pleased to have her in our college,” Payne said.

The evening’s final Mumford Award, for Outstanding Service, is designed for someone not connected to the college but has significantly contributed to CAFNR and its land-grant concept. The 2005 award was presented to Charles Kruse, president of the Missouri Farm Bureau Federation.

Kruse has served in the Missouri National Guard and is one of three people in the U.S. to receive the Garde Nationale Award for exceptional achievement. He was former director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture and was appointed by President George W. Bush to the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations in 2003 and again in 2005. Kruse’s efforts have been recognized with numerous awards including the University of Missouri Faculty/Alumni Award and the College of Agriculture Alumni of the Year Award, Payne said.

“ To accurately describe Kruse, one must rely on the words of former president Teddy Roosevelt,” Payne read from the nomination package. “He (Kruse) is truly the ‘man in the arena.’”

In addition to the Mumford Awards other departmental awards were executed that night. Gretchen Steifel, CAFNR Student Council president, presented the Student Council Awards. These awards are given to students who exhibit active participation in CAFNR and demonstrate leadership.

The Student Council Outstanding Freshmen Award went to James Tvrdy. Tvrdy is an agribusiness management major and an active member of Alpha Gamma Rho. He also serves as a CAFNR student ambassador. His broad yet complete participation in all his activities made him the best choice for this award. Fellow Alpha Gamma Rho brother, Cory Robinson said, “James has everything that makes a great student.”

The Outstanding Sophomore Award went to Heidi Griswold. Griswold won this award through of her incredible participation in CAFNR’s ambassadors program. She has been chosen to serve as one of the three CAFNR ambassador directors. Known to work hard to ensure success, Griswold is the epitome of the ideal student.

The Outstanding Junior Award went to Joseph D. McGaugh. McGaugh is an ag economics major and a political science minor. He integrates his studies into his everyday life with practical experience. An active member in Alpha Gamma Rho, McGaugh has interned for Rep. John Quinn and has worked as a sales representative for the Pony Express Brewing Company. He is also involved in the Mizzou Homecoming Steering Committee, the Alumni Association Student Board, and worked on Ag Week and Greek Week through CAFNR student council. His level of involvement is mind boggling. Aaron Puchbauer, fellow Alpha Gamma Rho brother, said, “Few students can match Joe Don McGaugh’s overall character, scholastic achievements and leadership abilities.”

The CAFNR Outstanding Teacher Awards went to Robert Terry and Mark Haidekker.

Terry won the Senior Outstanding Teacher Award. Known to exude enthusiasm and make learning fun, Terry has perfected his reputation as “the teacher that everyone wants.” One of his students described Terry’s winning attitude as “he didn’t just care about us from 12:15 to 1:45 every Tuesday and Thursday, but all the time.”

Haidekker won the Junior Outstanding Teacher Award. He is known to have adopted a hands-on learning method.

“ He makes his classes interactive and hands on which enhances students’ abilities to learn,” said James Gladish, a student of Haidekker. Not only is he a determined teacher, but a mentor to the students as well.

CAFNR’s Outstanding Adviser Award went to Sharon Wood-Turley. Wood-Turley has been described as the “epitome of excellence in advising.” She has worked as an adviser for the college for over 20 years. During this time, she has instructed students in more ways than class scheduling.

“ I hope that someday I will impact the life of those around me in the same way Sharon has impacted mine,” said Claire McClintic, an ag journalism student.

The CAFNR Staff Recognition Awards for Outstanding Staff went to Bonnie Beckett and Tony Thorpe. Beckett does the administrative work for the University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry.

“ Bonnie makes it a good place to work,” said Jan Russell, staff council director. “She makes it like family.”

Thorpe is coordinator of the Lakes of Missouri Volunteer Program. With his “technical competency, verbal and visual creativity” Thorpe puts fellow workers at ease. Russell said, “The world would be a better place if more people were like Tony.”

The Distinguished Research Award was given to Monty Kerley. Kerley was named Researcher of the Year in 1999 by the Missouri Soybean Association. Today he holds two patents for design, has written six book chapters and has published 72 refereed journal articles.

The J.W. Burch State Specialist Agriculture Extension Award was awarded to Marcia Carlson Shannon. Shannon implements research in swine nutrition and feed management. Always known to “challenge others to consider alternative production practices,” she is vying for new and better strides in agriculture.

Shannon currently serves as the leader of the Commercial Agriculture Program Swine Focus team. In addition to serving, she has developed many youth agricultural programs such as the Youth Pork Quality Assurance Program and the Missouri Pork Producers Association Pork Institute.

The next awards presented during the night were the Ag Alumni Association Awards. Jerry R. King won the Alumnus of the Year Award. King has been actively involved in the National Beef Board and worked as a representative for the 125th district of Missouri.

The Alumni Association Citation of Merit Awards were given to Keith G. Boyer, Joseph C. Roetheli and Charles H. Williams. Boyer has been successful in the agricultural chemistry field and today he donates time at MU on the vice chancellor’s advisory council. He has also been active in the Life Sciences campaign. Roetheli has been successful in his creation of dog biscuits used to cure dog halitosis. Williams has contributed to science in making anesthesia safer for patients, and he is published in over 50 professional journal articles.

The Honorary Members Award of the Alumni Association went to Elizabeth Brown and Cory T. Ridenhour. Brown, who was named Woman of the Year by Missouri Ruralist in 1996, currently manages her family farm today. Ridenhour has served as the executive director and CEO of the Missouri Forest Products Association, former president of National Council of Forestry Association and currently is the advisor of Delta Tau Delta.

The Past President of the Alumni Association Award went to concluding president Don Arsenperger. In addition to finishing his presidency, Arsenperger teaches sixth grade in Keytesville. Ag Alumni board member, Jeff Windett said, “Don brings a lot of experience to the board.”
The night proved to be a true celebration of excellence for CAFNR and its members.

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