Outstanding students and faculty members were rewarded for their work by the Gamma Sigma Delta Agricultural Honor Society April 9.

“Every year the announcement for potential awards are given, then members are nominated, and a committee decides on the recipient through the nominations.” said Pam White, the new chapter president. “The intent is to give the awards every year, but if there are no nominees or if the committee deems they don’t want to, they don’t have to. The committee wants to make sure they have qualified people.”

White, professor of food science and human nutrition, said the Outstanding Sophomore and Senior Award is given to the student with the highest grade point average in their class, this year a 4.0. The annual outstanding sophomore award was given to Ely Grote, sophomore in agricultural systems technology from Bayard, and the outstanding senior award was given to Barry Bradford, senior in animal science and agricultural biochemistry from Guthrie Center.

“It was a pleasure for me that we acknowledge undergraduates and give a pat on the back for students who are working hard,” said Curtis Youngs, past president.

Three faculty mission awards were also given to Marshall Jurgens, professor of animal science, for teaching, Stephen Ford, professor of animal science, for research, and Keith Whigham, professor of agronomy, for extension. Gerald Klonglan, associate dean of agriculture for national programs, received the Distinguished Service award.

Youngs, associate professor of animal science, said Klonglan received the highest award because of his numerous contributions, not only to agriculture at Iowa State, but his work in the field overall. Youngs said Klonglan participated in Vision 20/20, which is funded by the Kellogg Corporation in order to give people a way to work together in deciding the course of agriculture. Klonglan also was active in the sociology department and was an advocate for Iowa State in Washington D.C.

“I think we are fortunate to have a wonderful study body at ISU, and I am pleased to be part of agriculture and to supply a safe and abundant food supply,” he said.