Quarterly CFANS awards roundup Q4 2025

February 5, 2026
Campus Affairs

In our quarterly celebration of award recipients across CFANS, we recognize students, faculty, staff, and alumni who've received significant accolades. Congratulations to all — we're #CFANSProud of you! The list below highlights awards received and/or announced in October through December 2025.

University Awards

  • 2025 Award for Global Engagement, Given to faculty and staff in recognition of outstanding contributions to global education and international programs at the University or in their field.

  • 2025 UMN Postdoc Impactful Research Award: Lang Qiao, PhD, Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering (BBE) — A postdoctoral researcher in Professor Ce Yang’s robotics lab, Lang was honored for work that demonstrates innovation, creativity, and potential for real-world impact.

  • Office for Equity and Diversity (OED) Outstanding Unit Award: The Bell Museum — Selected for this University-wide honor and recognized at the Equity and Diversity Breakfast on November 13 for excellence in promoting an inclusive and equitable environment.

Beyond the University

  • US Wheat and Barley Fusarium Head Blight (Scab) Initiative’s Distinguished Service Award: Ruth Dill-Macky, PhD, Department of Plant Pathology — Recognized in December 2025 for her eight years of service as the Researcher Co-Chair of the organization. More info

  • American Society of Agronomy (ASA) Fellow: Jeffrey Coulter, PhD, Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics — Named an ASA Fellow, one of the society's highest honors, for his professional achievements in the field of agronomy. More info

  • 2025 SSSA Fellows: Fabian Fernandez, PhD; Randy Kolka, PhD, Department of Soil, Water, and Climate (SWAC) — Honored as Soil Science Society of America Fellows in recognition of their professional achievement and meritorious service.

  • Entomological Society of America 2025 Conference Recognitions— Several entomology students and researchers earned top placements in competitions at the 2025 ESA conference.

    • First Place: Tatum Dwyer (Grad Student); Sarah von Gries (Grad Student)
    • Second Place: Sayesha Khanna (Grad Student); Matt Villalta (Grad Student); Avery Witherbee (Undergrad Student); Mai Aochi (Visiting Student)

  • National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) Region III Awards: CFANS Alumni — Several alumni were recognized for excellence in agricultural education.

    • Outstanding Middle/Secondary Program: Amber Seibert (Park Rapids High School)
    • Ideas Unlimited Award: Kayla Brune (Willmar High School)
    • Teacher Mentor Award: Pamela Koenen (Alden-Conger High School)
    • Visionary Impact Award: Val Aarsvold (Minnesota FFA Foundation)
    • ACTE Region III Carl Perkins Community Service Award: Eric Sawatzke, CFANS Alumnus — Recognized by the Association for Career & Technical Education for his significant community service contributions at West Central Area Secondary.
  • NAILE Dairy Judging Contest, 1st Team Overall finish: University of Minnesota Dairy Judging Team

To submit awards for inclusion in the next roundup, please complete this form and select "Share an award recipient and corresponding award information." The next roundup will be published in early April 2026 and will include awards received and/or announced in January through March 2026.