Celebrating Excellence

HONORING THE CANR COMMUNITY

 

Each year the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) selects outstanding faculty, staff and alumni whose achievements and commitment represent the very best of our storied college and its mission to feed the world and protect the planet.

Meet our 2023 CANR Excellence winners

Excellence in Service - Susan Davis

Headshot of Susan Davis

Susan Davis is an Accountant in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, supporting the Dean’s Office, Newark Farm, and UDairy Creamery. Susan enjoys the team-oriented environment as well as the variety and challenges that are part of this position.  In her free time, Susan enjoys reading and spending time outdoors. Boating and hiking with her grandkids are a favorite pastime.

Inclusive Excellence - Jennifer Seabrook-Scott

Headshot of Jennifer Seabrook-Scott

Jennifer Seabrook-Scott has dedicated 18 years to serving the citizens of Delaware through her roles with the University of Delaware Cooperative Extension, first as a Nutrition Assistant, then as a Health and Well-being Extension Agent. This year, she begins a new chapter as a Mental Wellness Extension Agent, building a new program that focuses on mental well-being, an important issue with challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, tragedies related to gun violence, and civil unrest. Jen aims to build resiliency through programming and resources made available to the citizens of Delaware, particularly those least able to access them, including individuals in Delaware’s underserved communities, young people, Latinos, and senior citizens. Jen also plans to explore faith-based mental well-being, bringing much-needed programs to local churches, synagogues and mosques.

Jen earned a bachelor’s degree in human development and family services and a master’s in public administration, both from the University of Delaware. She is currently working on her Ph.D. in higher education with a specialization in diversity, equity and inclusion at the University of Kentucky, an endeavor that highlights her dedication to work on issues faced by marginalized individuals and communities. She currently holds a certification as a Senior Diversity Officer from the University of Kentucky and is an Intercultural Development Inventory Administrator.

Excellence in Teaching and Advising - Deborah Delaney

Headshot of Deb Delaney

Deborah Delaney is an associate professor in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware where she mentors graduate and undergraduate students working on various aspects of pollinator health and productivity. She adores teaching and currently teaches Insects and Society, Apiculture, Pollination Ecology, Aquatic Entomology, Bridging Art and Science: Environmental Communication, Growing Future Naturalists and Insect Pest Management. She has more than 30 years of experience working with pollinators, specifically honey bees, and maintains between 100-200 colonies in and throughout Delaware, Pennsylvania and Maryland. Her research program has four main focal areas: 1) genetic identity and diversity of US honey bees 2) temporal stability of pollinator populations, 3) best management solutions for creating sustainable managed pollinator populations and 4) pollinator nutrition and forage mapping. Delaney earned a bachelor’s degree in natural resources and a master’s degree in environmental science from Oregon State University, and a Ph.D. in entomology from Washington State University.


 

Congratulations to the 2023 Benton Graduate Student Award Winners

Recipient Department
Spencer Moller
Amanda Crandall
Plant & Soil Sciences (Ph.D.)
Entomology & Wildlife Ecology (M.S.)

 

CANR EXCELLENCE AWARDS

CANR Inclusive Excellence Award (Faculty and Staff)

The award recognizes individuals whose work embodies UD’s Inclusive Excellence initiative to advance inclusive excellence within the institution or community.

NOMINATION FORM

Inclusive Excellence Award Winners

Recipient Award Department

2023

Jennifer Seabrook-Scott

Extension Agent

2021

Christy Mannering

Communications

2019

Dr. Tanya Gressley

Animal and Food Sciences

 

 

 

 

CANR Excellence in Research Award

(Faculty)

The award recognizes individuals that are involved in research that involves the mentoring of graduate students, post-docs, undergraduates, and/or junior faculty

NOMINATION FORM

Excellence in research award winners

Recipient Award Department

2022

Dr. Pamela Green

Plant and Soil Sciences

2020

Dr. Kali Kniel

Animal and Food Sciences

2018

Dr. Yan Jin

Plant and Soil Sciences

CANR Teaching & Advising Award

(Faculty)

The award recognizes CANR faculty involved in teaching, mentoring and advising students.
 

NOMINATION FORM

Teaching and advising award winners

Recipient Award Department

2023

Dr. Debbie Delaney

Entomology and Wildlife Ecology

2021

Dr. Thomas Ilvento

Applied Economics and Statistics

2019

Dr. Thomas Evans

Plant and Soil Sciences

2017

Dr. Joshua Duke

Applied Economics and Statistics

2015

Dr. Kali Kniel

Animal and Food Sciences

CANR Excellence in Service

(Support Staff)

Recognizes superior work ethic, noteworthy performance, outstanding and meritorious service, and positive impact on the goals of the department and CANR. Support staff includes administrative staff, business adminstrators, communications, etc.

NOMINATION FORM

Excellence in service award winners (support staff)

Recipient Award Department

2023

Susan Davis

CANR Dean's Suite

2021

Tammy Schirmer

Carvel Center

2019

Susan Biddle

Plant and Soil Sciences

2017

Michele Walfred

Carvel Center

2015

Sharon Webb

Carvel Center

CANR Excellence in Service

(Research Support Staff)

Recognizes superior work ethic, noteworthy performance, outstanding and meritorious service, and positive impact on the goals of the department and CANR. Research support staff includes titles like Associate Scientist, Research Associate, Scientist, etc.

NOMINATION FORM

Excellence in service award winners (research staff)

Recipient Award Department

2022

Adrienne Shearer

Animal and Food Sciences

2020

Tecle Weldekidan

Plant and Soil Sciences

2018

Maddi Valinski

Applied Economics and Statistics

2016

Richard Morris

Animal and Food Sciences Newark Farm

CANR Excellence in Extension

The​ ​CANR​ ​Excellence​ ​in​ ​Extension​ ​Award​ ​is​ ​based​ ​on​ ​the​ ​ECOP​ ​National​ ​Excellence​ ​in​ ​Extension Award.​ ​The​ ​CANR​ ​Excellence​ ​in​ ​Extension​ ​Award​ ​is​ ​presented​ ​in​ ​even​ ​years​ ​to​ ​an​ ​individual​ ​who has​ ​strived​ ​throughout​ ​his or her​ ​career​ ​to​ ​achieve​ ​the​ ​benchmarks​ ​reflective​ ​of​ ​excellence​ ​in Extension​ ​educational​ ​programming.​ ​​

Recipient Year

Kathleen Splane

2022

Maria Pippidis

2020

Gordon Johnson

2018

Richard Taylor

2016

Benton Graduate Student Award

The award is presented annually to two graduate students (one Ph.D. and one M.S.) who have excelled in research and have an outstanding record of academic accomplishments and service to their profession are eligible for nomination.

NOMINATION FORM

Benton Graduate Student Award Winners

Recipient Award Department

2023

Spencer Moller

Amanda Crandall

Plant & Soil Sciences (Ph.D.)

Entomology & Wildlife Ecology (M.S.)

2022

Polina Dineva

Imogene Cancellare  

Applied Economics and Statistics (M.S.)

Entomology and Wildlife Ecology (Ph.D.) 

2021

Emma Ruggiero 

Ryan Moore

Plant and Soil Sciences (M.S.)

Plant and Soil Sciences (Ph.D.)

2020

Sergio Cabrera-Cruz

Shania Craighead

Entomology and Wildlife Ecology (Ph.D.)

Animal and Food Sciences (Ph.D)

2019

Alyssa Lutgen

Tyler D. Sowers 

Water Science and Policy (M.S.)

Plant and Soil Sciences (Ph.D.)

2018

Hannah L. Clipp

Desiree L. Narango

Entomology and Wildlife Ecology (M.S.)

Entomology and Wildlife Ecology (Ph.D.)

2017

Adrienne Shearer

Grace Savoy-Burke

Animal and Food Sciences (Ph.D)

Entomology and Wildlife Ecology (M.S.)

2016

Amanda Roberson

Solny Adalsteinsson

Plant and Soil Sciences (M.S.)

Entomology and Wildlife Ecology (Ph.D.)

2015

Sarah Markland

Melissa Savin

Animal and Food Sciences (Ph.D.)

Agriculture & Natural Resources (M.S.)

2014

Rebecca Kern

Allison Rogers 

Entomology and Wildlife Ecology (Ph.D.)

Animal and Food Sciences (M.S.)

2013

Jacquelyn Marchese

Michelle Windle

Entomology and Wildlife Ecology (M.S.)

Animal and Food Sciences (Ph.D.)

2012

Rachael Vaicunas                    

Kirsten Hirneisen                   

Jixian Zhai                               

Bioresources Engineering (M.S.)

Animal and Food Sciences (Ph.D.)

Plant and Soil Sciences (Ph.D.)

2011

Sudarshan Dutta

Jacob Fooks

Plant and Soil Sciences (Ph.D.)

Food and Resource Economics (M.S.)

2010

Zachary Ladin

Laura Nemec

Meredith Biedrzycki

Entomology and Wildlife Ecology (M.S.)

Animal and Food Sciences (M.S.)

Plant and Soil Sciences (Ph.D.)

2009

Ellen Lake

Entomology and Wildlife Ecology (M.S.)

2008

Hudaa Neetoo

Bridget Collins

Animal and Food Sciences (Ph.D.)

Entomology and Wildlife Ecology (M.S.)

2007

Kristian Paul

Anthony Gonzon

Plant and Soil Sciences (Ph.D.)

Entomology and Wildlife Ecology (M.S.)