
Celebrating Excellence
HONORING THE CANR COMMUNITY
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CANR Excellence Awards | College of Agriculture and Natural Resources -
CANR Excellence Awards | College of Agriculture and Natural Resources -
CANR Excellence Awards | College of Agriculture and Natural Resources -
CANR Excellence Awards | College of Agriculture and Natural Resources -
CANR Excellence Awards | College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
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

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

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

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 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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.) |