QCNR Awards

The QCNR community recognizes excellence in many different areas of our academic and work lives together, including teaching and learning, mentoring and research, service and support.

Nominations for QCNR awards are open now! Please submit your nominations by Sunday, Dec. 1.

College-wide Awards

QCNR Team

This award recognizes a team of three or more individuals, the majority of whom are members of the college, who have played a highly impactful role in advancing one or more key aspects of the mission of the QCNR. Assessment of nominations will include the level of impact made as well as the way the team functioned to work together to create positive outcomes where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

2024: Ecology Center Data Science Workshop Team
2023: QCNR Business Service Center Team

QCNR Inclusive Excellence

This award recognizes a member of QCNR who has made significant contributions toward advancing the college’s values and goals toward inclusive excellence. This award is available to faculty, staff, or students.

2024: Georgie Corkery
2023: Claudia Radel

Outstanding Publication

The Outstanding Publication Award will be presented for one outstanding publication in each academic department in QCNR. Any article, book, or other published document with at least one author affiliated with a department in QCNR is eligible for consideration.

2024

ENVS: Sandra Atwood and Mark Brunson. "Níksókowaawák as Axiom: The Indispensability of Comprehensive Relational Animacy in Blackfoot Ways of Knowing, Being, and Doing." Society & Natural Resources, DOI: 10.1080/08941920.2023.2180696
WATS: Jaron Adkins, Edd Hammill, Umarfarooq Abdulwahab, John Draper, J. Marshall Wolf, Catherine McClure, Adrian Gonzalez Ortiz, Emily Chavez, Trisha Atwood. "Environmental variables drive spatial patterns of trophic diversity in mammals." Ecology Letters 26.11 (2023): 1940-1950. DOI: 10.1111/ele.14306
WILD: Yong Zhou. "Soil carbon in tropical savannas mostly derived from grasses." Nat. Geosci. 16, 710–716 (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41561-023-01232-0

2023

ENVS: Crabtree, S. and J.A. Dunne. 2022. Towards a science of archaeoecology. Trends in Ecology and Evolution. 37(11): 976-984. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2022.07.010
WATS: Sala, E., J. Mayorga, D. Bradley, R.B. Cabral, T.B. Atwood, et al. Protecting the global ocean for biodiversity, food and climate. Nature 592, 397–402 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-021-03371-z
WILD: Parsons, M.A., T.M. Newsome, J.K Young. 2022. The consequences of predators without prey. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. 20(1): 31-39. https://doi.org/10.1002/fee.2419

Student Awards

Doctoral Student Researcher

Selection is based on quality of research effort, evidence of success (such as published papers, presentations, posters at professional meetings), and other unique activities related to research efforts. Prior recipients are not eligible.

2024: Noah Creany
2023: Brian Smith
2022: Emily Tarsa
2021: Leslie Forero
2020: Gavin Cotterill
2019: Emily Wilkins
2018: Christine Rohal
2017: Enjie Li
2016: David Illes
2015: Blake Thomas
2014: Andrew Kleinhesselink
2013: Rodrigo Ferreira
2012: Ryan O'Donnell

Masters Student Researcher

2024: Rae Fadlovich
2023: Kate Sinnott
2022: Macy Gustavus
2021: Emma Doden
2020: Mark Kreider
2019: Desneiges (Deni) Murray
2018: Susan Washko
2017: Bruce Call

Graduate Teacher of the Year

This award recognizes an outstanding graduate teaching assistant or graduate instructor (who served in this capacity at least one semester during 2021). Prior recipients are not eligible.

2024: Leanna DeJong
2023: Patrick Kelly
2022: Shantell Garrett
2021: Manny May and Martinique Chavez
2020: Jack McLaren
2019: Leandro Do Nascimento
2018: Erika Blomdahl
2017: Forrest Schoessow
2016: Jarod Raithel
2015: Erica Hansen
2014: Ashley D'Antonio
2013: Jonathan Myers
2012: Justin Stout

Scholar of the Year

This award recognizes excellence in undergraduate scholarship. Other service and student activity involvement may become a consideration in the selection process, but the main emphasis is on academic success and scholarly achievement.

2024: Madison Fjeldsted
2023: Naomi Orchard
2022: Jeffery Chandler
2021: Maria Catalano
2020: Kenen Goodwin
2019: Anders Hart
2018: Margaret Hallerud
2017: Bret Mossman
2016: Brianne Palmer
2015: Jamie Reynolds
2014: Konrad Hafen
2013: Chelsea DeMarco
2012: Erin F. Jones

Undergrad Researcher

This award recognizes an undergraduate student who has consistently engaged in independent inquiry through courses, extracurricular engagement (e.g. employment, internships, volunteer activity), and/or independent research. Prior recipients are not eligible.

2024: Cristina Chirvasa
2023: Austin Garner
2022: Emily Bonebrake
2021: Madison Vega
2020: Lauren Tango
2019: Rylee Jensen
2018: Jesse Fleri
2017: Margaret Hallerud
2016: Arthur Wallis
2015: Colin Brady
2014: David Baird
2013: Konrad Hafen
2012: Shannon Kay

Undergrad Teaching Fellow

Each Year the QCNR selects an Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Fellow. This award is to recognize a student who shows extraordinary commitment to his/her fellow students as a UTF.

2024: Jared Young
2023: Sage Chatterton
2022: Cole Walton
2021: Amanda Mast and Claire Tempest
2020: Tyler Hatch
2019: Delaney Phariss
2018: Stephen Lytle
2017: Liz Winters
2016:
2015:
2014: Cody Butler
2013: Clayton Handy
2012: Cari Forsgren

Outstanding Senior

The QCNR Awards Committee selects the QCNR Outstanding Senior from the list of three students selected by the department faculty as departmental outstanding seniors

2024: Jacob Lancaster, Christian Stewart, Rachel North
2023: Sandra Johnston, Lily Martindale, Abigail Mackay
2022: River Johnson, Sydney Southers, Meridian Wappett
2021: Sage Sutchlifee, Holden Regnier,
Bailey Holdaway, Hannah Johnson
2020: Ethan Hammer
2019: Casey Trout
2018: Margaret Hallerud
2017: Molly Van Engelenhoven
2016: Patrick Adams
2015: Jason Brown
2014: Benjamin Poulsen
2013: George Fawson
2012: Daniel Howell

Jardine Juniper

The recipient of this award is selected by the QCNR Undergraduate Student Body to honor an outstanding graduating senior in the QCNR who has made the biggest impact on the College through involvement in clubs, organizations, and/or other college-related activities.

2024: Anaís Barrientos
2023: Elexis Bernstein
2022: Bryce Johnston
2021: Maria Catalano
2020: Rachel Chamberlain
2019: Casey Trout
2018: Margaret Hallerud
2017: Elizabeth Winters
2016: Brianne Palmer
2015: Jason Brown
2014: Chlode B. Wardle
2013: George Fawson
2012: Caitlin Laughlin

Legacy of Utah State

This award recognizes a student (undergraduate or graduate) who represents the "heart and soul of the University." Students should show a commitment to the institution and their program of study, as well as demonstrate internal involvement and service, department dedication, perseverance during times of adversity, and contribution behind the scenes.

2024: Stephen Bunnell
2023: Katie Seisel
2022: Christina Morrisett
2021: Christina Longjohn
2020: Angelia Klein
2019: Casey Trout
2018: Rebecca Thomas
2017: Logan Christian
2016: Saul Karamesines
2014: Thomas Thompson
2013: Clayton Handy
2012: Lisa Boyd

Faculty Awards

Faculty Researcher of the Year

Annually, each of the academic colleges selects a Faculty Researcher of the Year, who is recognized for his or her accomplishments during Research Week. This award recognizes excellence in research, scholarship or creative activity over the past 3 years.

2024: Karen Beard
2023: Peter Adler
2022: Mark Brunson
2021: Jim Lutz
2020: Janice Brahney
2019: Peter Howe
2018: Patrick Belmont
2017: Jacopo Baggio
2016: Juan Villalba
2015: Chris Monz
2014: Karen Mock
2013: David Koons
2012: Layne Coppock

Teacher of the Year

This award is based on teaching excellence. Provided is a list of all faculty who meet eligibility criteria (has taught at USU more than three years; with a teaching load of 6+ credits per year, including one undergraduate course; not a recipient previous five years).

2024: Gustavo Ovando-Montejo
2023: Eric LaMalfa
2022: Larissa Yocom
2021: Mark Chynoweth
2020: Shannon Belmont
2019: Edd Hammill
2018: Peter Adler
2017: Andrew Kulmatiski
2016: Claudia Radel
2015: Kari Veblen
2014: Dan MacNulty
2013: Dave Koons
2012: Fee Busby

Undergraduate Faculty Mentor of the Year

This award emphasizes excellence in academic mentoring of undergraduate students and engagement outside the classroom, including as a faculty advisor, club advisor, or in other capacities. This is different from the Undergraduate Research Mentor of the Year. Recipients from the previous five years are not eligible.

2024: Sunshine Brosi
2023: Justin DeRose
2022: Eric LaMalfa
2021: Edd Hammill
2020: Sarah Klain
2019: Layne Coppock
2018: Nat Frazer
2017: Dan MacNulty
2016: James Long
2015: Mike King
2014: Chris Call
2013: Mark Brunson
2012: Claudia Radel

Faculty University Service Award

This award recognizes a QCNR faculty member for excellence in service to the operations and governance of the University. Recognized activities include service at the university, college, or department levels. Recipients from the previous five years are not eligible.

2024: Erin Rivers
2023: Doug Ramsey
2022: Sarah Klain
2021: Joanna Endter-Wada
2020: Layne Coppock
2019: Patrick Belmont
2018: Juan Villalba
2017: Robert Schdmit
2016: Fee Busby

Undergraduate Research Mentor of the Year

2024: Shannon Belmont
2023: Courtney Flint
2022: Tim Walsworth
2021: Tal Avgar
2020: Trisha Atwood
2019: Phaedra Budy
2018: Janice Brahney
2017: Karin Kettenring
2016: Kari Veblen
2015: Karen Beard
2014: Rich Etchberger
2013: Zhao Ma
2012: Helga Van Miegroet

Graduate Mentor of the Year

This award recognizes a significant record of cumulative accomplishment focused on graduate mentorship. This award recognizes a faculty member, including adjunct faculty, with a significant record of cumulative accomplishment focused on graduate student mentorship. Recipients from the previous five years are not eligible.

2024: Kari Veblen
2023: Kezia Manlove
2022: Tal Avgar
2021: Janice Brahney
2020: Karin Kettenring
2019: Tom Monaco
2018: James Lutz

Staff Awards

Employee of the Year

Nominee must be 3/4 to full time, must have worked in QCNR at least 2 years, and cannot be faculty. Selection criteria include initiative, professional attitude, reliability, efficiency, motivation, quality/quantity of work, and cooperativeness with co-workers. Recipients from the previous five years are not eligible.

2024: Alisha Beus & Lael Gilbert
2023: Allison Cochley
2022: Wes James
2021: Melanie Conrad
2020: Becky Hirst
2019: Brian & Marsha Bailey
2018: Shelly Kotynek
2017: Ricky Downs
2016: Kay Kelsey
2015: Lana Barr
2014: Mykel Beorchia
2013: Marsha Bailey
2012: Becky Hirst

Staff Researcher of the Year

This college award recognizes the contributions of our research staff, separate from the Employee of the Year award (for which they are also eligible).

2024: Jaron Adkins
2023: Rae Robinson
2022: Kevin Landom
2021: Chase Lamborn
2020: Brendan Murphy
2019: Gary Thiede

QCNR Awards

College-wide Awards

Student Awards

Faculty Awards

Staff Awards

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