UW CALSNR honors faculty, staff

The University of Wyoming’s (UW) College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources (CALSNR) honored outstanding faculty and staff during the Annual Spring Awards Ceremony, held on April 9 at the Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center in Laramie.

“Tonight we gather to celebrate the exceptional advancements and achievements of this college,” stated UW CALSNR Farm Credit Services of America Dean Kelly Crane during his welcome speech. “This event is dedicated to recognizing our outstanding faculty and the great work they do in three primary areas – teaching, research and Extension. We’re also here to celebrate our staff who are the absolute backbone of this institution and of CALSNR.”

CALSNR outstanding staff awards

To begin, Crane recognized two outstanding staff members.

The first honoree was UW Extension Communication and Technology Graphic Designer Jeremy Cain, who Crane noted has become “an indispensable member of the team.” 

“He’s earned a reputation as not only a talented graphic designer, but a trusted collaborator and a real problem solver. His work spans far beyond design, supporting everything from publications management and printing logistics to photography, inventory and emerging systems which improve our efficiency,” Crane said. “He has consistently delivered work reflecting the highest standards of professionalism across Extension, and our college relies on his attention to detail, his creativity and his ability to manage multiple priorities seamlessly, often under pressure and without compromising quality.” 

Crane added, “Cain is known for his humility, collaborative spirit and genuine respect for all of his causes. He listens carefully, welcomes feedback and finds thoughtful solutions which bring out the best in every project and every team. Calm, solutions oriented and always willing to go the extra mile, Cain exemplifies the very best of our commitment to service, innovation and excellent outcomes.”

Jack Ross, a senior associate in the Department of Zoology and Physiology, was the second outstanding staff awardee.

“Ross is widely recognized as the backbone of this department – an individual whose dedication, initiative and leadership ensures everything runs smoothly every day,” Crane stated. “From managing complex administrative responsibilities to anticipating challenges before they arise, Ross consistently goes above and beyond to support faculty, staff and students alike.”

In addition to handling an extensive portfolio of responsibilities including everything from scheduling and hiring to student support and facilities coordination, Crane said Ross is also known for fostering community connection.

“Ross brings professionalism, warmth and a genuine commitment to supporting others, creating an environment where people feel welcome and supported,” Crane said. “Whether assisting a student navigating a complex process, coordinating events which bring the department together or simply offering a calm and positive presence, Ross exemplifies the very best of service and collegiality.”

Extension awards 

After recognizing Outstanding Staff Award honorees, UW Extension Director Dr. Mandy Marney announced the recipients of several UW Extension awards, which were presented last fall during an exclusive Extension event.

Sarah Gonzalez, an administrative assistant with Albany County Extension, was named UW Extension Administrative Professional of the Year, and Goshen County Administrator and Youth Show Coordinator Sabina Wyse received the UW Extension Bright Future Award.

Additionally, Hailey Sorg, assistant Extension educator at Natrona County Extension and UW outdoor, recreation, tourism and hospitality Extension educator, received the UW Extension Newer Employee Award. 

Individuals involved in the Cent$ible Nutrition Program’s (CNP) Harvest Bucks initiative were honored with the UW Extension Team Excellence Award, which intends to capture the collaborative work of Extension. 

Marney explained the Harvest Bucks program is a nutrition incentive which helps individuals and families stretch food dollars, while gaining access to fresh, healthy produce. Participants receive “Harvest Bucks” which can be redeemed for fresh fruit and vegetables at participating stores and farmers markets.

“The program is designed to improve food security and nutrition for low-income households, while also supporting more farmers and strengthening the global food system,” Marney stated. “The initiative benefited at least 88 families in dedicated communities.” 

Individuals involved in the program and subsequently recognized include CNP Educators Stephanie Anderson, Mary Evans, Tanya McCoy and Angela Michel; Community Vitality and Health Extension Educator Vicki Hayman; CNP Director and Senior Extension Educator Mindy Meuli and CNP Program Manager and Marketing Specialist Kali McCrackin Goodenough.

To conclude the Extension awards, Marney honored Hot Springs County Extension Senior Educator Barton Stam with the Jim Debree Excellence in Extension Award, which is the highest honor Extension bestows on its educators.

Marney explained the award was established in 1996 to recognize employees with a minimum five years of service who demonstrate a high level of professional performance and personal commitment to professional development.

Stam was presented with the award for his dedicated professionalism, collaboration and event coordination, earning statewide respect for his expertise in range management.

Experiment station awards

The ceremony proceeded with Wyoming Ag Experiment Station Interim Director Dr. Brian Mealor taking the stage to present four awards to ag experiment station personnel.

First, two individuals were presented with the Kathleen Bertoncelj Agricultural Experiment Station Outstanding Staff Award.

Kalli Koepke, assistant farm manager at the Laramie Research and Extension Center, and Mike Albrecht, farm manager at the Sheridan Research and Extension Center, were the recipients.

“I’ve worked with these two for more than a decade, and they’re both kind of cut from a similar cloth. If we need something done and we need it done well and on time – with commitment and dedication – we can reach to people like these two,” Mealor said.

Next, Mealor presented Department of Plant Sciences Associate Professor Donna Harris with the Agricultural Experiment Station Early Career Research Award. 

Mealor noted Harris has built a novel plant breeding program which includes drought tolerance and legume crops, early maturity and yield quality in dry beans, improvement of native plant materials and wildlife food plot mixes, pest resistance in alfalfa and evaluation of high-tech approaches such as drone-based ground-penetrating radar to improve infield phenotyping.

“This diversity reflects her personal commitment to conducting research relevant to stakeholders and improving agricultural en-
terprises in the state,” Mealor said.

Next, Mealor presented the Agricultural Experiment Station Outstanding Research Award, which went to Jerod Merkle, associate professor in the Department of Zoology and Physiology.

According to Mealor, Merkle’s research focuses on large ungulate ecology, migration and disease and has had a “profound scientific impact, delivering tangible benefits to Wyoming and the broader region.”

To conclude, Mealor awarded the Outstanding Research Support Award to Zhaojie Zhang, senior research scientist in the Department of Zoology and Physiology.

Other awards 

Three additional awards were announced to round out UW CALSNR’s Annual Spring Awards Ceremony.

Two Reflections Student Author Awards were presented in memory of Lynn Feltner.

Marguerite Trost of the Department of Botany was the master’s student awardee, and Kiet Tran of the Department of Molecular Biology was the PhD student awardee. 

Two individuals were also presented the CALSNR Outstanding Educator Award. They include Assistant Extension Educator Gretchen Gasvoda-Kelso and Molecular Biology Associate Lecturer Kassandra Willingham. 

According to Crane, the pinnacle of the awards ceremony is the Andrew Vanvig Outstanding Lifetime Distinguished Faculty Achievement Award, which is given in honor of a senior faculty member for their lifetime achievements in teaching, scholarship, creative activity and service.

This year’s awardee is Dr. Roger Coupal, professor of agricultural and applied economics.

Crane stated, “Over nearly three decades at UW, Coupal has exemplified the very spirit of this recognition through his scholarship, leadership and unwavering commitment to service as a faculty member and former department head of ag and applied economics. He has strengthened programs, mentored colleagues and students and helped guide the strategic direction of this university.”

“Coupal’s impact ex-
tends far beyond campus, as well. His research and outreach have provided critical economic analyses to policymakers, Tribal governments and communities across Wyoming and beyond to help them navigate complex challenges related to energy transitions, natural resource management and rural economic development,” Crane continued. “Through his scholarship, service and engagement, he has helped inform decisions to shape the future of this state while improving the resilience of our communities.”

Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.