Honoring excellence, leadership, and legacy
Highlights from the 19th Annual Borealis Night of Excellence
April 24, 2025
On Thursday, April 17, the CFANS community came together in the North Star Ballroom to celebrate the remarkable achievements of students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the college at the 19th Annual Borealis Night of Excellence. The evening was a vibrant tribute to the leadership, dedication, and impact of those who embody the CFANS mission in every sense.
The event, co-hosted by CFANS’ Alumni Society Board, Undergraduate Student Board, Graduate Student Board and Postdoc Board—was filled with heartfelt stories, laughter, and inspiration as this year’s honorees were recognized for their exceptional contributions.
Notable awards this year
CFANS was honored to recognize Charles Magee, Ph.D. with the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award for his extraordinary contributions to agricultural and biological engineering, education, and innovation.
A native of Prentiss, Mississippi, Magee has blazed trails in academia and STEM advocacy across more than four decades. After earning his M.S. in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Minnesota in 1973, he went on to earn his Ph.D. from Cornell and became a nationally recognized educator, inventor, and mentor. His many accolades include induction into the National Academy of Inventors and the USDA Hall of Fame.
Magee says his greatest fulfillment comes from teaching and mentoring students—a legacy that will continue to inspire for generations to come.
In another moving moment, the inaugural Constellation Award was presented—a new honor created to recognize the transformative power of collective alumni impact. The first recipients are The Class of 1957 Forest Resources graduates, a group whose decades of leadership and service have left an enduring legacy in forestry, conservation, public policy, and education.
Among this distinguished group:
- Richard Waring, Ph.D., a Marcus Wallenberg Prize-winning forestry professor.
- Theodore Hullar, Ph.D., former Chancellor of the University of California and environmental leader.
- Richard J. Manly, who bridged careers in forestry, poetry, and environmental advocacy.
- Robert Herbst, who helped expand U.S. National Parks and co-founded a clean water nonprofit serving millions.
- The late Floyd Rudy, a forester-turned-attorney who supported both his community and the University.
Congratulations to this accomplished group from the Forestry Class of ’57.
2025 Borealis Night of Excellence Honorees
Student Leadership Awards
- Undergraduate: Sarah Hagenow (BS ‘25, Agricultural and Food Business Management)
- Graduate: Lucas Roberts (PhD ‘25, Applied Plant Science)
Exemplary Student Organizations
- Undergraduate: Gopher Dairy Club
- Graduate: Women in Applied Economics
Outstanding Club Advisor
- Julie Drechsler (FarmHouse Fraternity)
Exemplary Staff and Faculty Awards
- Staff: Kari Jarcho (Soil, Water, and Climate)
- Faculty (Less than 5 years): Debalin Sarangi (Agronomy and Plant Genetics)
- Faculty (More than 5 years): Lee Johnston (Animal Science)
Exemplary Post-Doc Award
- Josh Havill (Agronomy and Plant Genetics)
Little Red Oil Can Award
- Derek Anderson & Bart Purdy (Facilities Management)
Cultivating Future Leaders Award
- Luke Becker (BS ‘09, Agricultural Education)
Outstanding Friend of CFANS
- Susan Bornstein
Community Builder Award
- Kristine West (PhD ‘12, Applied Economics)
Alumni Service Award
- Joel Reiman (BS ‘99, Animal and Plant Systems)
Rising Star Award
- Eric Houdek (BS ‘16, MS ‘19, Animal Science)
- Gabriella Houdek (BS ‘17, MS ‘19, Animal Science / Applied Economics)
Distinguished Alumni Award
- Gopinath (Gopi) Munisamy (PhD ‘95, Agricultural and Applied Economics)
Constellation Award
- Class of 1957, Forest Resources
Lifetime Achievement Award
- Charles Magee (MS ’73, Agricultural Engineering)
The Borealis Night of Excellence continues to be a joyful reminder of the strength and breadth of the CFANS community, from emerging student leaders to seasoned professionals whose influence spans generations. Congratulations to this year’s honorees!
View award categories and criteria to prepare nominations for the 2026 awards cycle.
