UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — During its annual meeting on April 3, the Penn State chapter of Gamma Sigma Delta, the agricultural honor society, honored faculty and students from the College of Agricultural Sciences.
“The annual Celebration of Excellence by Gamma Sigma Delta marks a highly anticipated occasion in our college, dedicated to acknowledging outstanding achievements,” said Helene Hopfer, 2023-24 president of the Penn State chapter and associate professor of food science. “It's a special time devoted to recognizing the exceptional contributions of both students and faculty.”
This year, 15 undergraduates, 20 graduate students and postdoctoral scholars, seven faculty and staff, and one honorary and one alumnus member were inducted into the honor society.
Hannah Smith-Brubaker, the executive director for Pasa Sustainable Agriculture, was this year’s honorary inductee. This honor is limited to one per year per chapter and reserved for individuals who have furthered agricultural or related sciences and are leaders at the university, community, state, regional or national level. Veterinarian Frederick Metzger, who received his bachelor’s degree in animal bioscience in 1981, was the alumnus inductee of 2024.
Gamma Sigma Delta honored five faculty members who were nominated by their department heads and peers. Jasna Kovac, associate professor of food science, received the 2024 Outstanding Teaching Award. Charles (Charlie) White, extension specialist in soil fertility and nutrient management and assistant professor of plant science, and Adrian Barragan, extension veterinarian and associate research professor of veterinary and biomedical sciences, both received the 2024 Outstanding Extension Award.
John Hayes and Joshua Lambert, professors of food science, both received the 2024 Outstanding Research Award.
Undergraduate students were recognized with Outstanding Student Awards, which are based on grade-point average and class rank. This year’s recipients were Karis Marie Blagden, of Berwyn, sophomore class; Alexandra Gail Schultz, of Gettysburg, junior class; and Jacquelin Spring, of Doylestown, senior class.
The Student Research Expo Award recognizes exceptional graduate and undergraduate student research in 12 categories. This year’s Gamma Sigma Delta Student Research Expo featured 94 posters, up from 93 last year, with 34 contributions from undergraduates and 60 from graduate students. Thirty volunteers from across the college served as judges, and a total of $7,400 was awarded to winners.
The winners were as follows:
— Undergraduate Division, Animal-Related Systems: first place, Madison Bemisderfer; second place, Kendall Kleinman; and third place, Katelyn Farrar.
— Undergraduate Division, Animal & Human Pathogens: first place, Zoe Goldblum; second place, Mackenna Yount; and third place, Nicholas Hanna.
— Undergraduate Division, Environmental-Related Systems: first place, Vancie Peacock; second place (tied), Zhi Chen and Justin Riedhammer.
— Undergraduate Division, Human Behavioral and Social Systems: first place, Nhu Pham; second place, Brandon Bixler; third place, Collin Willett.
— Undergraduate Division, Plant Systems: first place, Megan Guy; second place, Charlie Colvin; and third place, Logan Diller.
— Graduate Division, Animal Systems: first place, Alanna Staffin; second place, Deborpita Sarkar; third place, Bailey Basiel.
— Graduate Division, Biological Systems-IPM: first place, Mariah Kidd; second place, Bryan Panek; third place (tied), Neetu Khanal and Luke Reynolds.
— Graduate Division, Biological Systems-Plants: first place, Caterina Roman; second place, Olanrewaju Shittu; third place, Varshini Kumanan.
— Graduate Division, Food Systems: first place, Auja Bywater; second place, Astrid D’Andrea; third place, Cynthia Loi.
— Graduate Division, Human Behavioral & Social Systems: first place, Mia Sullivan; second place, Parmveer Singh; third place, Madisen Plunkert.
— Graduate Division, Microbiology & Microbiome Systems: first place, Ashley Ohstrom; second place, Chelsea Newbold; third place, Zilfa Irakoze.
— Graduate Division, Physical Engineering Systems: first place, Yanqiu Yang; second place, James Godwin; third place, Syed M. Q. Bokhari.
Gamma Sigma Delta seeks to encourage high standards of scholarship and worthy achievements in all branches of the agricultural and related sciences as well as a high degree of excellence in the practice of agricultural pursuits. More information about the society is available at agsci.psu.edu/gsd.