News Releases

AMES, Iowa — Awards were presented April 12 to Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences alumni, faculty and students by the Iowa Chapter of the Honor Society of Agriculture, known as Gamma Sigma Delta.

Deborah Diersen-Schade received the Alumni Award of Merit. Diersen-Schade received bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees in animal science at Iowa State. She is director of global scientific affairs for Mead Johnson Nutrition. The award is given to alumni who have contributed to the agriculture industry in exceptional ways.

Douglas Kenealy, University Professor in animal science, received the Distinguished Achievement in Agriculture Award. Kenealy received a bachelor's degree in dairy science and a doctorate in animal science at Iowa State. The award recognizes exemplary contributions to agriculture in the form of teaching, research, extension, international or other service.

Three Mission Awards were presented, which recognize faculty in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences who have made exceptional contributions in helping Iowa State achieve its mission. The Teaching Award was presented to Phil Spike, animal science. Jack Dekkers, animal science, received the Research Award. The International Award was presented to Robert Rust, animal science.

The honor society also recognized two undergraduates. Brent Sexton of Rockwell, received the Sophomore Scholarship. Joseph Thomas, Camanche, received the Senior Scholarship. Both Sexton and Thomas are majoring in animal science. These awards are presented to students who earn the highest grade point average in the sophomore and senior classes.

Three faculty, 61 undergraduate students, 64 graduate and veterinary medicine students and one alumni were inducted into the honor society at the event.

New chapter officers were installed. They are Ann Marie VanDerZanden, horticulture, president; Curtis Youngs, animal science, vice president; Terri Boylston, food science and human nutrition, secretary-treasurer; and Cynthia Haynes, horticulture, historian. Outgoing president is Michael Retallick, agricultural education and studies.

The purpose of Gamma Sigma Delta is to encourage excellence in the practice of agricultural pursuits and high standards of scholarship in all areas of agricultural science and education.