The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is central to NC State University’s land-grant mission. At the heart of CALS are our people, who drive the college forward each and every day.
To honor the students, faculty and staff making an impact, the CALS community gathered on April 22 at the Stateview Hotel for the CALS Celebration of Excellence 2025 awards ceremony.
“Today, we celebrate those who go above and beyond, pushing the boundaries of innovation, education and service in ways that strengthen our college, our state, and beyond,” CALS Dean Garey Fox said during the event.
In all, more than 50 faculty, staff and students were recognized for their commitment to teaching, research, Extension, service and leadership. Check out the awardees below.
Student Awards
Students are the heart of CALS, driving the future of agriculture and life sciences with fresh ideas, dedication and a passion for impact. These awards recognize outstanding students and their achievements that contribute to the strength of our academic community.
2025 Student Award Winners
- CALS Change Maker Award: Eric Martineau (Undergraduate), Kim Eshleman (Graduate)
- CALS Outstanding Leadership Award: Hannah Jewett (Undergraduate), Lillian Lower (Graduate)
- CALS Outstanding Scholar Award: Zoe Curtis (Undergraduate), Kaleb Goff (Graduate)
- CALS Outstanding Student Researcher Award: Hannah Davis (Undergraduate), Hyunjun Choi (Graduate)
- CALS Student Sustainability Award: Amanda Solliday (Graduate)
- Outstanding AGI Student Award: Katelyn Medlin
- CALS Student of the Year Award: Evelynn Wilcox (Undergraduate), Elizabeth Wiles (Graduate)
- CALS Student Organization Engagement/Activity of the Year: Pre-Veterinary Medical Association (PVMA)
- CALS Student Organization of the Year: Pack Pullers
Teaching Awards
Great teaching is at the heart of everything we do in CALS. Our faculty don’t just deliver knowledge — they inspire, mentor and help shape the future of agriculture and life sciences through their unwavering commitment to student success. These awards recognize the outstanding educators who help shape academic success.
2025 CALS Winners
- Outstanding Graduate Instructor: Natalie Nelson
- Outstanding Graduate Student Teacher Award: Austin Hooe
- Teacher Award of Merit: Joseph Donaldson, Grant Ellington
- Outstanding Club Advisor: Melinda Knuth
- Gertrude Cox Award for Innovative Excellence in Teaching and Learning with Technology: Lucie Guertault, Remi Hamm
- Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching – Professional Track: Julianne Treme
2025 University-level Winners
- Alumni Association Distinguished Graduate Professorship Award: Marc Cubeta, Natalie Nelson
- Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor Award: Lynn Worley-Davis, Kimberly Ange-Van Heugten
- Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching – Tenured Faculty: Clyde Sorenson
- Outstanding Teacher Award: Joy Morgan Fleming, Julieta Sherk
Extension and Research Awards
From Extension professionals connecting research with communities, to researchers breaking new ground in science and innovation; from champions of safety, to individuals who embody the core values of CALS — these recipients make an incredible impact across our state and beyond.
2025 Extension and Research Winners
- 2025 Outstanding Extension and Engagement Award: Sara Villani, Annie Hardison-Moody
- Carol Birckhead Outstanding County Extension Director Award: Molly Alexi
- Kenneth R. Keller Research Award Endowment: Heeduk Oh
- George J. and Rhoda W. Kriz Study Leave Award: Elsa Youngsteadt
- Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring: Terri Long
- Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers: Ruben Rellán-Álvarez
CALS Strategic Excellence and Well-Being Awards
CALS Values Awards: The CALS Values Awards honor individuals who demonstrate one or more of the core CALS values — excellence, inclusion, integrity, sustainability, community, freedom and collaboration — in their daily work.
2025 CALS Values Winners
- Excellence in Collaboration: Stephen Jones
- Excellence in Integrity: Jerry Baron
- Excellence in Community: Mary Kate Lanier
- Excellence in Discovery: Gareth Powell
- Excellence in Inclusion: Sudha Sankar
- Excellence in Service: Richard Santangelo
CALS Spirit of the Land-Grant Award: The CALS Spirit of the Land-Grant Award recognizes individuals or teams who exemplify the CALS land-grant mission through impactful projects or programs in discovery, engagement and learning.
2025 CALS Spirit of the Land-Grant Winner
- Soils Strike Team
- Onsite Response Team: Steph Kulesza, Luke Gatiboni, Erin Rivers, Ekrem Ozlu, Austin Menker
- Support Team: Alex Woodley, Josh Heitman, Owen Duckworth, Chip Simmons, Barbara Doll
CALS Excellence in Safety Award
This award recognizes individuals who go above and beyond to champion safety in their work environment and promote a culture of safety consciousness.
2025 CALS Excellence in Safety Award Winners
- Aaron Kohutek
- Stephen ‘Clay’ Byrd
Awards for Excellence
This prestigious university-wide award recognizes outstanding non-faculty employees who have made exceptional contributions beyond their normal job responsibilities. Winners are first selected at the college level and then have the opportunity to be recognized at the university level.
2025 Winners (CALS)
- Excellence in Public Service: Amy Holder
- Excellence in Human Relations: Chris Liotta, Federico (Fed) Planchón
- Excellence in Customer Service: Geoff Bock, Eleanor Baker, Tucker Brandt
- Outstanding State Government Service: Holly Jordan
- Categories:
