PULLMAN, Wash. – Faculty and staff of Washington State University’s College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences were honored at the 48th annual CAHNRS awards banquet Saturday, April 14.
Roger C. Chapman, professor of natural resource sciences and a member of the WSU faculty for more than 30 years, received the R.M. Wade Foundation Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. Over the course of his career, he has taught 14 different courses, was part of three research projects and has 11 representative publications.
Joan Anderson, assistant professor of apparel, merchandising, design and textiles, received the CAHNRS’ Excellence in Advising Award. She is an undergraduate advisor in her department and has served as faculty advisor to the WSU student chapter of the International Textile and Apparel Association. She also has mentored students for their honors thesis and serves as an advisor for WSU’s summer student orientation program.
Dong-Hyun Kang, associate professor of food science, received the CAHNRS’ Faculty Excellence in Research Award. Kang has earned a national and international reputation for innovative research in food microbiology and detection and prevention of foodborne pathogens. Last year, he was appointed Detection Center Director in the National Alliance for Food Safety and Security. He also received the Samuel Cate Prescott award from the Institute of Food Technologists. The Cate award recognizes outstanding young research scientists.
Mary Katherine Deen, an extension specialist for youth and family programs, received the Extension Faculty Excellence Award. Deen’s work in program impact evaluation; professional development leadership; and children, youth and families at risk has been recognized at the state, regional and national level. She developed the 4-H Life Skills Assessment Tool. This web-based data collection instrument, which is the standard for evaluating extension youth and family programs in Washington, has been purchased by several other states. Deen also created and directs the national 4-H Youth Development Practitioner Apprenticeship Certificate Program, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor. She works at the WSU Learning Center, North Central Washington, in Wenatchee.
Douglas Walsh, extension environmental education specialist and research entomologist, received the Faculty Excellence Award for Research-Extension Integration. Walsh was recognized for research on crop protection technologies as well as outreach to growers; environmental groups; government agencies; and faculty and staff. Among his accomplishments, he was an integral part of a highly successful team that took a basic laboratory pheromone discovery to a fully registered and industry adopted product in just five years. The implementation of the pheromone control program for poplar clearwing moth has led to the reduction of use of two pesticides by 60,000 pounds per year. Walsh is located at the WSU Prosser Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center.
Mary Kate Alexander, principal assistant to the chair of the crop and soil sciences department, received the CAHNRS Administrative-Professional Staff Excellence Award. She has worked in the department for nearly 28 years. In her current position, she manages the chair’s schedule and appointments, coordinates faculty reviews, oversees faculty searches and hires, handles paperwork for postdoctoral and visiting scientists and supervises some of the office staff.
Ron Bolton, an agricultural technologist in crop and soil sciences, received the CAHNRS Classified Technical Staff Excellence Award. Since 1988, Bolton has supported the soil science program as a computer, lab and field technologist. In this role, he has made significant scholarly contributions to the soil fertility program, particularly with respect to computer modeling applications, some which he wrote. He also contributes to the experiential training of undergraduate and graduate students. They have come to rely on him for advice on their research projects.
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