Herbert Annual Awards

One faculty member (tenured, tenure-track, or non-tenure track) is recognized for outstanding advising of undergraduate and/or graduate students and service to student organizations. The recipient is invited to attend the Herbert Annual Awards Banquet, generally held in early April. The recipient may also be recognized for their support of students at the spring college commencement ceremony and be asked to address the graduates.

2026 Awardee: Tyler Granberry, Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications

Undergraduate research has become a hallmark of excellence in land-grant universities. The Undergraduate Research Mentoring Award recognizes an outstanding faculty or staff member who has made significant contributions to the development of undergraduate research. Examples include directly mentoring undergraduate student research projects (especially published results), supporting undergraduate research through developing and supporting presentation or publication, or providing other support that resulted in enhanced student accomplishment through research.

2026 Awardee: Elizabeth Eckelkamp, Animal Science

One faculty member with ten or fewer years of faculty experience and one faculty member with more than ten years of faculty experience will be recognized at the Herbert Annual Awards Banquet, generally held in early April.

2026 Awardees: Blake Whitman, Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science, Construction Science and Management (less than ten years); Vermont Dia, Food Science (more than ten years)

The Williams-Lidvall Outstanding Teaching Award is presented annually at the UT Institute of Agriculture’s Awards and Promotions Luncheon. It is given to a current faculty member in the Herbert College of Agriculture with a record of success in the classroom and demonstrated commitment to the interest of students as evidenced by their performance as an academic advisor, as well as their support and participation in student initiatives and activities, such as serving as an advisor to student clubs or organizations. This award was established by Donald E. Williams from Nashville, Tennessee, to honor his former professor and mentor, E.R. “Prof” Lidvall. Williams graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in the spring of 1961 with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science.

2026 Awardee: Vermont Dia, Food Science

The W.S. Overton Faculty Award of Merit is presented annually by the Herbert College of Agriculture at the Herbert Annual Awards Banquet, generally held in early April, to a tenured/tenure-track faculty member who makes notable contributions to the development of students. Outstanding classroom teaching, effective student advising, positive contributions, and work with student organizations and/or outstanding direction of graduate student theses and dissertations would be factors considered in making this award. Recipients also receive the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) Teaching Award of Merit Certificate.

2026 Awardee: Jackie Yenerall, Agricultural and Resource Economics

The award will be presented to a faculty member, staff member, or student in agriculture to recognize entrepreneurial enterprises, which may include development of commercial products, services, formation of company or causing relocation/expansion of company into Tennessee. It may also include a faculty or staff member whose work and/or teaching helps students develop their entrepreneurial skills, particularly if they’ve resulted in an entrepreneurial venture.

2026 Awardee: Katy Daniels, Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science

This award honors the memory of Dr. John B. Riley through recognizing those individuals who have had a deep, positive impact on the lives of others with whom they work, teach, or advise/mentor. Dr. John B. Riley was former dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and a professor of agricultural and natural resource economics.

Dr. Riley was a servant leader, lifelong learner, and mentor that held caring for others, critical excellence, and truly making a difference in people’s lives in the highest regard. He received the college’s Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award in 2003 and the Lidvall Outstanding Teaching Award in 2004. He was a president of the UT Faculty Club, active in 4-H, and an advisor for the FarmHouse fraternity. He coached the National AgriMarketing Association (NAMA) marketing teams at both Kansas State University and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. His teams won several national competitions, and Riley was recognized for his work with the National NAMA Careers Committee by being the only person to receive NAMA’s National Leadership Award.

The Dr. John B. Riley Life Impact Award is presented annually to one individual by the Herbert College of Agriculture at the Herbert Annual Awards Banquet.

2026 Awardee: Carrie Stephens, Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications

One award will be given to a staff member who has displayed extraordinary service and support of the Herbert College of Agriculture mission. The recipient may be a full-time, exempt, or nonexempt clerical, technical, or professional staff member who is involved with the teaching program. The recipient will be invited to the Herbert College of Agriculture Annual Awards Banquet, generally held in early April.

2026 Awardee: Cindy Tietz, Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications

Research discoveries are a hallmark of land-grant universities and can create tremendous value for students performing the research, making them better prospective employees and graduate school candidates. This award was created to recognize a Herbert undergraduate student who actively conducts research with a faculty member in the UT Institute of Agriculture. The award is processed as a scholarship to reduce the student’s need to work during the academic year, thereby allowing time to conduct the research.

2026 Awardees: Lily Cooper, Plant Sciences; Joshua Hyde, Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science

The Graduate Student Global Leader Award honors outstanding graduate students who have actively engaged in intercultural initiatives on campus or abroad and who have exemplified leadership in promoting and supporting a global community among University of Tennessee students. Examples of intercultural activities include (but are not limited to) conducting international research, serving as a study abroad leader, leading an international student organization, service to an international association, volunteering with a non-profit that serves an international audience, attending an international conference, and conducting international research.

The dean for the Herbert College of Agriculture will present the Graduate Student Global Leader Award at the Herbert College of Agriculture Annual Awards Banquet held each spring. Winners will receive $750.

2026 Awardee: N/A

The Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award of Merit is presented annually at the Herbert College of Agriculture Annual Awards Banquet, generally held in early April.

Graduate students who demonstrate excellence in the classroom and work with undergraduate students in other ways that enhance the undergraduate educational experience are nominated by department heads or faculty mentors. Graduate students may be nominated regardless of their appointment, as some departments require all graduate students to have a teaching experience. Evidence of professional development as an instructor is also considered. The recipient(s) will also receive the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) Graduate Student Teaching Award of Merit Certificate.

2026 Awardee: Jacob Friedrich, Plant Sciences

A maximum of ten full-time students will be honored at the Herbert Annual Awards Banquet, generally held in early April, for exemplary leadership and participation. Up to four seniors, three juniors, two sophomores, and one freshman will be recognized.

2026 Awardees:

• Emma Puckett, Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications (Sophomore)
• Skylar Baird, Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications (Sophomore)
• Callie Hudson, Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications and Agricultural and Resource Economics (Junior)
• Brianna McLerran, Animal Science (Junior)
• Alex Katzakian, Agricultural and Resource Economics (Junior)
• Zoe Turner, Agricultural and Resource Economics (Senior)
• Samantha Exum, Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science (Senior)
• Savanna Young, Agricultural and Resource Economics (Senior)
• Laura Gilliard, Animal Science (Senior)

The Undergraduate Student Global Leader Award honors outstanding undergraduate students who have actively engaged in intercultural initiatives on campus or abroad and demonstrated leadership in promoting a globally minded community on campus. Examples of intercultural activities include (but are not limited to) interning abroad, serving as a Smith Center Ambassador, volunteering at a non-profit that serves an international audience, conducting international research, and serving as an officer for an international (student) organization.

The dean for the Herbert College of Agriculture will present the Undergraduate Student Global Leader Award at the Herbert College of Agriculture Annual Awards Banquet held each spring. Winners will receive $750.

2026 Awardee: Skylynn Pastorello, School of Natural Resources

The Distinguished Alumnus Award is presented annually to a graduate (at least ten years) of the Herbert College of Agriculture or its predecessors, the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources or the College of Agriculture, for outstanding achievement in the academic or corporate community and/or noteworthy public service, which have brought distinction to the graduate and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

The award recipient is invited to the Herbert Annual Awards Banquet and/or the college’s spring graduation ceremony.

2026 Awardee: Sonja N. Oswalt ’03, Master of Science in Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries

The Outstanding Young Alumni Award recognizes Herbert College of Agriculture alumni no older than forty who have demonstrated distinctive achievement in their career, civic involvement, or both. This award is presented to acknowledge Herbert alumni who are making significant impacts early on in their careers.

The award recipient is invited to the Herbert Annual Awards Banquet in the spring.

2026 Awardee: Ashley Golden, Bachelor of Science in Food Science ’06, Master of Science in Food Science ’08

A Friend of the Herbert College of Agriculture is someone from outside the college (i.e., no Herbert appointment) who has demonstrated noteworthy support and assistance (service) to the college. This support could be academic, logistical, or other. The award was inspired by a similar type of award within the National Education Association. Recipients can be an individual, group, organization, or company.

2026 Awardees:

• Joe Smith, Large Animal Veterinarian and Associate Professor at UT College of Veterinary Medicine (Herbert)
• Becky Bowling, University of Tennessee Extension Specialist of Turfgrass Science and Management (UT Extension)
• Ethan Parker, Research Center Director of East Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center (UT AgResearch)