An annual event, Borealis Night of Excellence recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the college and community. The CFANS Alumni Society, CFANS Undergraduate Student Board, and CFANS Graduate Student Board come together to celebrate these exceptional alumni, students, staff, faculty and friends. The awards presented hold great honor in the CFANS community. In 2017, the the Borealis Circle was formed to further recognize key individuals who have brought everlasting honor to the college.
The 2021 award recipients are:
Student Leadership Award — Undergraduate — Amelia Hayden
Student Leadership Award — Graduate — Thomas Durfee (MS '16)
Exemplary Undergraduate Student Organization — Ag Business Club
Exemplary Graduate Student Organization — UMN Mycology Club
Outstanding Club Advisor — Leslie Hansen (BS '73, MS '75 Animal Science)
Exemplary Staff — Sarah Lindholm (BS '12 Nutrition, MS '18)
Exemplary Faculty — Nic Jelinski (PhD '14 Land & Atmospheric Science)
Exemplary Post-Doc — Bethanne Bruninga-Socolar
Little Red Oil Can — Student — Persephone Ma (MS '20)
Little Red Oil Can — Non-Student — Jim Bradeen
Outstanding Friend — Katie Fineout (BS '17)
Alumni Service — Margot Monson (BS '67, MS '94 Entomology)
Distinguished Alumni — James (Jim) Nesseth (BS '76 Animal Science, MEd '00)
Lifetime Achievement — Patricia Booth (BS '77, Nutrition & Dietetics)
Mark your calendars for the 2021 Borealis Night of Excellence (Virtual), to celebrate these exceptional alumni, students, staff, faculty and friends. Given the circumstances of being unable to gather for the Borealis Awards in person this year, CFANS is hosting a virtual Zoom event to acknowledge this year's awardees. We hope you will join as we hear from nominators and celebrate award recipients.
Borealis Night of Excellence (Virtual) | Tuesday, April 20, 2021: 7 - 8:15 p.m.
Register for the virtual event
Zoom account and registration required
If you missed the 2020 event, you can access the recording here.
Awards & Criteria
Distinguished Alumni Award
Distinguished Alumni Award
- Is a graduate of CFANS or a predecessor college (COAFES, CNR, CHE)
- Has contributed significantly to his/her profession, industry and/or greater community
- Has held office or a significant leadership position in professional or civic organizations
- Has demonstrated commitment to building a greater CFANS community
- Is currently working as a professional in their field.
- Is recognized as an authority in his/her field via any or all of the following: published research, journal articles, patents, testimony and/ or speeches in a public forum, etc.
Alumni Service Award
Alumni Service Award
- Is a graduate of CFANS or a predecessor college (COAFES, CNR, CHE)
- Contributes to the efforts of CFANS and/or the CFANS Alumni Society
- Is an exceptional volunteer and/or donor to CFANS
- Has demonstrated commitment to building a greater CFANS community
Lifetime Achievement Award
Lifetime Achievement Award
- This award may recognize an individual posthumously.
- Is a graduate of CFANS or a predecessor college (COAFES, CNR, CHE)
- Has made outstanding contributions to CFANS and/or to the food, agriculture and/or natural resources industries over the course of his/her lifetime
- Is retired from their profession.
- Is recognized by his/her peers as a leader in the CFANS community and beyond
Exemplary Staff Award
Exemplary Staff Award
- Has made outstanding contributions to the CFANS community
- Current CFANS staff with at least five years of service
- Goes above and beyond in support of students, alumni, faculty and staff and/or constituents
- Is thought of highly by college students, alumni, faculty and staff and/or constituents
Exemplary Faculty Award
Exemplary Faculty Award
- Has made outstanding contributions to past or present students of CFANS
- Current CFANS faculty with at least five years of service
- Provides an excellent example to (past & present) students through words and actions
- Is thought of highly by college students, alumni, faculty and staff and/or constituents
Exemplary Post-Doc Award
Exemplary Post-Doc Award
- Has made outstanding contributions to CFANS and the Post-Doc community
- Current CFANS post-doc with at least two years of service
- Is thought of highly by college students, alumni, faculty and staff and/or constituents
Little Red Oil Can
Little Red Oil Can
This award is presented to one student and one non-student.
Nominee has made an outstanding contribution to the enhancement of St. Paul Campus Life resulting in one or more of the following:
- The Campus is a friendlier and more inclusive place as a consequence of that individual’s or organization’s contribution
- The academic, research, or service contributions of that individual or organization have strengthened the educational reputation of the St. Paul campus
- Because of the individual’s or organization’s efforts, the campus has been able to resolve recognized needs in the form of services, facilities, or financial support
- Campus morale has been strengthened as the result of the service of the individual or organization
- Campus communication and community sociability has increased as a consequence of the individual’s or organization’s efforts and/or example
Student Leadership Award
Student Leadership Award
This will be presented to one undergraduate student and one graduate student.
- Has completed one full year of studies at CFANS
- Holds a significant leadership position on campus in a recognized student organization, club sport, athletic team, house community or student employment position
- Demonstrates the ability to prepare, motivate and impact other student leaders
- Volunteers his/her services to help create a stronger campus community
- Demonstrates commitment to academic achievement
Exemplary Student Organization
Exemplary Student Organization
This is presented to one undergraduate organization and one graduate organization
- Is a registered student club/organization
- Has demonstrated leadership in three or more of the following categories;
- Collaborative partnerships
- Member recruitment
- Community Building
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Innovative programming
- Philanthropy
Outstanding Club Advisor
Outstanding Club Advisor
- Club advisor during the current academic year
- Has made outstanding contributions to a student organization
- Serves as a professional role model to student organization participants
Outstanding Friend Award
Outstanding Friend Award
- Is not a graduate of CFANS
- Contributes to the efforts of CFANS and/ or the CFANS Alumni Society
- Is an exceptional volunteer and/or donor to CFANS
- Has demonstrated commitment to building a greater CFANS community
For information on past award recipients, please contact Mary Buschette at mbuschet@umn.edu.