Distinguished Alumnus Award

One alumnus is selected annually to receive this award in recognition of their exceptional career achievements. The recipient will have completed an M.S. or Ph.D. degree in the Crop Science, Plant Physiology, Plant and Soil Science or Soil Science graduate program at least five years prior to the date of the nomination. 

The goals of the award are to recognize the accomplishments of our alumni, enhance alumni-graduate student contacts, highlight mentorship of current faculty and increase awareness of Plant and Soil Sciences in the college and at UK.

Nominators: All faculty and emeritus faculty in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences are eligible to submit nominations of up to two alumni.

Nominees: The nominee will have completed an M.S. or Ph.D. in the Crop Science, Plant Physiology, Plant and Soil Science, Soil Science or Integrated Plant and Soil Science graduate programs at least five years prior to the date of the nomination.

Nomination criteria: The nominator is expected to provide a current vitae of the nominee that includes information in the following areas: 

• Current position title and location
• Degrees received: Major, dates
• Professional positions held: List positions, dates, organizations and locations
• Honors and awards received
• Nominee’s achievements in one or more of the following areas:
  • Teaching, extension or industrial education
  • Research contributions (basic or applied)
  • Service to profession
  • Leadership (scientific or administrative)

The nominator must also provide a one-page summary of the most significant personal and professional achievements that qualify the nominee for selection as a Plant and Soil Science Distinguished Alumnus lecturer. 

Deadline for nominations: Nominations should be submitted annually to the chair of the Distinguished Alumni Committee before October 1.

Award selection: The Distinguished Alumni Committee will review the nominations and make a recommendation to the Chair of the Plant and Soil Sciences Department. The individual selected will be invited to present a departmental seminar during the spring semester and meet with graduate students and faculty. The individual will receive a recognition plaque, an honorarium ($500) plus travel expenses. One individual per academic year will be selected for the Plant and Soil Science Alumni Lecture Series. Names will be added to a plaque to be maintained in the Plant and Soil Sciences Building. Those nominees not selected will be retained and considered by the committee the following year.