News Release

Awards Contact: Sara Uttech, Senior Manager–Governance & Membership, 608-268-4948, suttech@sciencesocieties.org

MADISON, WI, OCTOBER 1, 2013 –The American Society of Agronomy (ASA), Crop Science Society of America (CSSA) and Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) announce the following 2013 scholarship recipients to be formally presented at awards ceremonies held during the scientific societies’ Annual Meetings, Nov. 3-6 in Tampa, FL.

American Society of Agronomy Scholarships:

• Andrew S. Byrd, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo - Cross-Cultural Experience Program Scholarship: Andrew Byrd is a soil science undergraduate at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, CA. He will graduate in June with a focus in environmental science and technology and minors in Spanish and Latin American studies.
• Carley Fuller, University of Florida - Cross-Cultural Experience Program Scholarship: Carley Fuller is a senior Plant Science major at the University of Florida. She has completed a minor in international studies and in Latin American studies. Carley is the current president of the undergraduate Agronomy-Soils Club and hopes to pursue graduate studies in Agroecology.
• Devon Rossman, Michigan State University - Cross-Cultural Experience Program Scholarship: Devon Rossman is an undergraduate student in his senior year at Michigan State University. He will graduate in May 2014 with a B.S. degree in horticulture, minor in agronomy, and specialization in sustainable agriculture and food systems.
• Douglas C. Wolf, University of Arkansas - Cross-Cultural Experience Program Scholarship: Douglas Wolf is a senior at the University of Arkansas and is majoring in environmental, soil, and water science with a minor in sustainability. Douglas plans to enter graduate school in environmental soil science after graduating in May 2014.
• Joshua W. Carter, Auburn University - J. Fielding Reed Scholarship: Joshua Carter is an undergraduate student in the Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences Department of the College of Agriculture at Auburn University. He is working towards completion of both B.S. and M.S. degrees, simultaneously.
• Amber M. Jensen, Nebraska Wesleyan University - Hank Beachell Future Leader Scholarship: Amber M. Jensen is a senior biology student at Nebraska Wesleyan University. She has conducted individual ecology research under Dr. Loretta Johnson at K-State University, and is currently studying Spanish, botany, and agriculture in Costa Rica.
• Devon Rossman, Michigan State University - Hank Beachell Future Leader Scholarship: Devon Rossman is an undergraduate student in his senior year at Michigan State University. He will graduate in May 2014 with a B.S. degree in horticulture, minor in agronomy, and specialization in sustainable agriculture and food systems.
• Heidi Dittmer, Iowa State University - Frank D. Keim Graduate Fellowship: Heidi Dittmer is a graduate student at Iowa State University, studying soil conservation for her Master's degree. She received a B.S. in agronomy from Iowa State in May 2013.
• David P. Eickholt, North Carolina State University - United Soybean Board Fellowship: David Eickholt is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Crop Science at North Carolina State University. David received a M.S. in plant breeding from North Carolina State University and  B.S. in agronomy from Michigan State University.
• Leah A. Ruff, University of Nebraska-Lincoln - United Soybean Board Fellowship: Leah Ruff is a Ph.D. student in the Agronomy and Horticulture Department at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She received a B.S. degree in agronomy from Iowa State University and  M.S. degree in crop science from North Carolina State University.

Crop Science Society of America Scholarships:

• Lisa A. Beirn, Rutgers University - Gerald O. Mott Scholarship for Meritorious Graduate Students in Crop Science: Lisa A. Beirn is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Plant Biology and Pathology at Rutgers University. She received B.S. and M.S. degrees from Rutgers University.
• Scott Dworak, University of Nebraska-Lincoln - Gerald O. Mott Scholarship for Meritorious Graduate Students in Crop Science: Scott Dworak is a Ph.D. candidate in turfgrass physiology in the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and an adjunct faculty member at Doane College. Dworak received B.S. and M.S. degrees from University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
• Keith R. Merrill, North Carolina State University - Gerald O. Mott Scholarship for Meritorious Graduate Students in Crop Science: Keith Merrill is a PhD candidate studying Plant Breeding and Genetics at North Carolina State University. He received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Genetics and Biotechnology from Brigham Young University in Provo, UT.
• Sruthi Narayanan, Kansas State University - Gerald O. Mott Scholarship for Meritorious Graduate Students in Crop Science: Sruthi Narayanan is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Agronomy at Kansas State University. She received B.S. degree in Agriculture from Kerala Agriculture University, India, and M.S. degree in Agronomy from Kansas State University.

Soil Science Society of America Scholarship:

• Joshua W. Carter, Auburn University - Hubert J. Byrd Sr. Scholarship: Joshua Carter is an undergraduate student in the Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences Department of the College of Agriculture at Auburn University. He is working towards completion of both B.S. and M.S. degrees, simultaneously.
• Clair C. Coussan, University of Louisiana - Hubert J. Byrd Sr. Scholarship: Clair C. Coussan is an undergraduate student majoring in soil and water quality within the University of Louisiana at Lafayette's School of Geosciences. Upon receiving a B.S. degree, Coussan intends to continue her education in pursuit of a M.S. degree.
• Kimberley E. Miller, San Diego State University - Francis and Evelyn Clark Soil Biology Scholarship: Kimberley Miller is a Ph.D candidate in the joint doctoral program in ecology between San Diego State University and University of California-Davis. She holds a B.A. from Coe College. In 2012-2013, she received a Fulbright Award to conduct dissertation research in Finland.
• Elizabeth M. Newell, West Texas A&M University - Soil and Water Conservation Scholarship: Elizabeth Newell is a student at West Texas A&M University. She plans on graduating in December 2014 with a B.S. degree in plant, soil, and environmental Science. After graduation, she plans on pursuing a career in soil and water conservation.

ASA, CSSA, and SSSA Golden Opportunity Scholars

• Jeana Bane, University of Missouri: Jeana Bane is a junior at the University of Missouri in the Plant Science department. She’s majoring in crop management and a minor in Agricultural Economics. Jeana plans to continue her education in graduate school after graduating in December 2014.
• Jordan Beehler, Oklahoma State University: Jordan Beehler is a student at Oklahoma State University and is majoring in environmental science with a minor in soil science. Jordan is a junior and plans on going to graduate school in natural resource management after graduation in May 2015.
• Matthew Caldwell, University of Missouri: Matthew Caldwell is student in the College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources and is majoring in plant science with an emphasis in crop management. Matthew is a senior and plans to attend graduate school in a plant science field after graduating in May 2013.
• Ansilta Zulima De Luca-Westrate, North Carolina State University: Ansilta De Luca-Westrate is a Park Scholar at North Carolina State University, and is majoring in sustainable agriculture. Ansilta is a senior and plans on pursuing studies in the areas of sustainable development and natural resource conservation after graduating in May 2014.
• Emily E. Delorean, Colorado State University: Emily Delorean is a senior at Colorado State University. She is studying soil and crop sciences with a concentration in plant biotechnology, genetics, and breeding. After graduating in December 2013 she plans to pursue a Ph.D. in plant genetics.
• Christopher Dermody, Texas A&M University: Christopher Dermody is currently a student at Texas A&M University, and is majoring in sgronomy. He will graduate this December and plans on attending graduate school in pursuit of a masters in plant physiology.
• Garth Duncan, University of Missouri: Garth Duncan is a senior at the University of Missouri-Columbia and is majoring in plant sciences with an emphasis in crop management. Garth will finish his undergraduate degree in December and plans on attending graduate school, studying weed science.
• Carley Fuller, University of Florida: Carley Fuller is a senior Plant Science major at the University of Florida. She has completed a minor in international studies and in Latin American studies. Carley is the current president of the undergraduate Agronomy-Soils Club and hopes to pursue graduate studies in Agroecology.
• Loren Victoria Goodrich, University of Illinois: Loren Goodrich is a student in the Crop Sciences Department at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, and is majoring in crop sciences with a concentration in biotechnology and molecular biology. Loren is a senior and plans on going to graduate school in weed science after graduating in May 2014.
• Michael Hannewald, Ohio State University: Michael is a senior at The Ohio State University where he is studying sustainable plant systems with a specialization in agronomy and a minor in agribusiness. He serves as a student ambassador for the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. He comes from a corn, soybean, and wheat farm in Waterville, OH where he is still involved on weekends and school breaks.
• John Kuhn, Washington State University: John Kuhn is a student in the Crop and Soil Sciences Department at Washington State University, majoring in agricultural biotechnology. John is a senior, planning to graduate May 2014 and attend graduate school to study plant breeding and genetics.
• Sarah Le'Jeune, Western Illinois University: Sarah Le’Jeune attends Western Illinois University and is majoring in agricultural business with a minor in agronomy. Sarah is a senior and is graduating in May 2014.
• Lily S. Niknami, Colorado State University: Lily Niknami is a Colorado State University student studying soil and crop science with a concentration in applied information technology and a minor in spatial information management. Lily is a senior and plans on pursuing a graduate degree in soil science or GIS upon graduation in December 2013.
• Katharine Elizabeth Parker, Western Illinois University: Katharine Parker is student at Western Illinois University majoring in agriscience with a minor in plant genetics and agronomy. Katharine is a senior and plans on graduating in December 2013. After graduation, she plans on continuing her education at Iowa State University through the agronomy program.
• Nicholas Peterson, University of Minnesota: Nick Peterson is a senior at the University of Minnesota pursuing an applied plant science degree and hopes to become a field agronomist following graduation.
• Morgan L. Riley, Southeast Missouri State University: Morgan Riley is a student at Southeast Missouri State University, and is majoring in agribusiness: plant and soil science with a minor in accounting. Morgan is a junior and plans on going to graduate school in agronomy after graduating in May 2015.
• Austin G. Scott, University of Tennessee-Martin: Gentry Scott studies agriculture at The University of Tennessee at Martin and will start graduate school next August.
• Touyee Thao, California State University-Fresno: Touyee Thao is a senior undergraduate student at Fresno State. He is pursuing a degree in plant science/crop production management and has strong interest in crop research. Touyee Thao will be graduating in Fall 2014 and plans to pursue a M.S. in plant Science.
• Benjamin Trampe, University of Nebraska: Benjamin Trampe is currently a student in the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is majoring in agronomy with a minor in plant biology. Benjamin is a senior and plans on going on to graduate school in plant breeding.
• Stephanie Verhoff, Ohio State University: Stephanie Verhoff is a student in the Horticulture and Crop Science Department at The Ohio State University, and is majoring in agronomy with a minor in plant pathology. Stephanie is a senior and plans on going to graduate school in plant pathology after graduating in May 2014.
• Zane Thomas Walker, Brigham Young University-Rexburg, ID: Zane Walker is a student in the Applied Plant Science Department at Brigham Young University–Idaho and is majoring in agronomy, crop, and soil science. Zane is a senior and plans on attending graduate school after graduating in April 2014.
• Dustin Wilkerson, University of Missouri: Dustin Wilkerson is a senior at the University of Missouri, majoring in plant science with an emphasis in breeding, genetics, and biotechnology, with a minor in agriculture economics. Dustin plans to attend graduate school in breeding or genetics after graduation in May 2014.

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An electronic version of this News Release is posted to: acsmeetings.org/newsroom/award-news-releases.

For more information on the 2013 ASA, CSSA, and SSSA scholarships, including scholarship descriptions, visit: agronomy.org/awards/view, crops.org/awards/view, soils.org/awards/view  or contact Sara Uttech, Senior Manager – Governance & Membership, 608-268-4948, suttech@sciencesocieties.org. Photos of the recipients receiving their awards will be posted to our Newsroom page following the Annual Meetings: acsmeetings.org/newsroom/award-news-releases. For more information on the 2013 Annual Meetings, visit: www.acsmeetings.org.