More than 295 attendees gathered to recognize the academic achievements of graduating students and excellence in research, innovation and leadership among faculty and staff at the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources' annual Spring Celebration and Awards Night. The event, which was held at Eldorado at THE ROW in Reno on April 26, recognized the 47 award winners and approximately 171 graduating undergraduate and graduate students present.
While Bill Payne, Dean of the College, was not able to attend the event, he sent his congratulatory remarks to the honorees of the event.
“This year’s ceremony is extra special as we celebrate not only our College’s accomplishments, but also, as the founding College of our University, to celebrate our University’s 150th year of serving our state,” Payne said. “As has been the case throughout the history of our College, this year, you — our students, faculty, staff and supporters — have worked hard and given 100% to accomplish so much more than we will be able to mention this evening.
“I am delighted to recognize you and your hard work. I couldn’t be more proud and sincerely want to thank you all. I hope you enjoy the evening and sharing in each other’s successes.”
The event was emceed by Christian Kolberg, an alumnus of the University and current chair of University of Nevada, Reno Extension’s Advisory Council. Throughout the evening, Kolberg was joined by a variety of presenters consisting of faculty and staff to honor all the recipients.
The awardees included:
Department of Agriculture, Veterinary & Rangeland Sciences
- Kelly McCready – Outstanding Senior, Agricultural Science
- Sara Harvey – Outstanding Senior, Agricultural Science
- Koby Lindberg – Outstanding Senior, Nevada Teach: Agricultural Science
- Aspen Wright – Outstanding Senior, Rangeland Ecology & Management
- Naomi Maravilla – Outstanding Senior, Veterinary Science
- Isadora Batalha – Outstanding Ph.D. Student, Animal & Rangeland Science
- Uriel Cholula-Rivera – Outstanding Ph.D. Student, Animal & Rangeland Science
Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
- Grace Schmitt – Outstanding Senior, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
- Micah Woodruff – Outstanding Senior, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
- Jasmine Lam – Outstanding Senior, Biotechnology
- Monica Carey – Outstanding Senior, Biotechnology
- Austin Baldridge – Outstanding Master's Student, Biotechnology
- Dean Trotta – Outstanding Master's Student, Biotechnology
- Kayleigh Robichaux – Outstanding Ph.D. Student, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Science
- Morgan Yeager – Outstanding Senior, Environmental Science
- Belle (Angelica) Lodovico – Outstanding Senior, Forest Ecology & Management
- DidiAlice Coker – Outstanding Senior, Wildlife Ecology & Conservation
- James Golden – Outstanding Master's Student, Natural Resources & Environmental Science
- Kay Strain – Outstanding Ph.D. Student, Ecology, Evolution & Conservation Biology
- Nathan Jackson – Outstanding Ph.D. Student, Natural Resources & Environmental Science
Department of Nutrition
- Amanda Thurston – Outstanding Senior, Dietetics
- Barbara Stankuté – Outstanding Senior, Nutritional Science
- Masuda Akter – Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant, Nutrition
- Dillon Winkelman – Outstanding Ph.D. Student, Nutrition
- 4-H Pollinator Ambassador Program, Outstanding Extension Team:
- Lindsay Chichester
- Katelyn Brinkerhoff
- Sarah Chvilicek
- Lori Leas
- Jessica Gardner
- Rachel McClure
- Kelsey Conklin
- Anay Gomez
- Jill Baker-Tingey
- Kenny Haack-Damon
- Amber Yoder – Outstanding Extension Support Staff
- Andrew Nuss – Outstanding Researcher, Department of Agriculture, Veterinary & Rangeland Sciences
- Erica Bigio – Outstanding Teacher, Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Science
- Kim Higgins – Outstanding Administrative Faculty, Dean’s Office
- Natalie Mazzullo – Outstanding Extension Administrative Faculty
- Sarah Chvilicek – Outstanding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Extension
- Stephanie Patterson– Outstanding Classified Staff, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
- Teresa Byington – Outstanding Extension Researcher
- Jamie Benedict– Marsha Read Outstanding Leadership in Nutrition & Dietetics
- Kris Stewart– Outstanding Agriculturist
- Sarah Kulpa– Outstanding Leadership in Natural Resources & Environmental Science
- Yutaka Nomura– Outstanding Extension Supporter
In addition to honoring the recipients of the College awards, Claus Tittiger, associate dean of academic affairs for the College, recognized three individuals who have been recognized by the University for their successes.
“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to our esteemed faculty and students who have already received honors this year,” Tittiger said. “I invite them to please stand and be recognized for their outstanding achievements."
These individuals included Karla Hernández, who received the 2024 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leadership Award from the University for promoting underrepresented students' involvement in STEM careers; Micah Woodruff, who was honored with the Sam Lieberman Regents’ Award for Student Scholarship for his outstanding academic achievements; and Jorge Esparza, who was presented with the Dale Bohmont Student Leadership Award.
During the celebration, attendees observed a moment of silence to remember two colleagues, Stan Omaye, a long-time faculty member and prolific researcher for the Department of Nutrition, and Ivory Lyles, director of Extension and associate dean for engagement between 2017 and 2021, who both died this year.
"We gather tonight not only to celebrate our achievements but also to remember and honor the legacies of our dear colleagues,” Claus Tittiger, associate dean of academic affairs for the College, said. “Their contributions to our College and the lives they touched will forever be cherished and remembered."
To close the evening, Kolberg urged graduating students to embark on their professional and academic journeys with confidence. He emphasized the significance of using their knowledge and skills to make a meaningful impact in their fields and communities.
"The world still needs to learn about eating, conserving resources and finding innovative solutions to global challenges for a sustainable future," Kolberg said. "Go out and share what you have learned, knowing that our efforts today shape tomorrow's world."
More information on the College’s award recipients can be found on the College’s Spring Celebration & Awards Night page.
