Author: Aaron Smith, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics
President- Tennessee Chapter of Gamma Sigma Delta
On April 23, 2021, 40 University of Tennessee, Herbert College of Agriculture juniors, seniors, and graduate students (or recent graduates) were initiated to membership in Gamma Sigma Delta, the honor society for agriculture. New members demonstrated excellence scholastically and for having personal qualities, including leadership ability, that give promise for a successful career in agriculture or associated sciences.
Also, one of the highlights of our Spring awards and initiation ceremony is the presentation of the Chapter’s annual awards for the outstanding Senior and Graduate Students in the Herbert College of Agriculture and the Outstanding fourth-year student in the College of Veterinary Medicine. We also initiated 3 Faculty and had one transfer from another chapter join us.
Awards
The recipient of the Senior Award has attained the highest cumulative grade point average of all seniors in the Herbert College of Agriculture and is scheduled to complete the requirements for graduation during the academic year in which he or she is being honored. At least 45 of the hours required for graduation must have been received at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and completed prior to selection to receive the award. Only one Senior Award is given annually.
Senior Award Allyson Stokes, Animal Science
The recipient of the Graduate Student Award will have demonstrated significant creative and original accomplishments in either research, teaching, or Extension. The nominee’s cumulative GPA, service activities in GSD and beyond, and their involvement in professional activities will be given strong consideration. One Graduate Student Award may be given annually to a MS candidate.
Masters Award Emily Camfield, Food Science
The recipient of the PhD Graduate Student Award will have demonstrated significant creative and original accomplishments in either research, teaching, or Extension. The nominee’s cumulative GPA, service activities in GSD and beyond, and their involvement in professional activities will be given strong consideration. One Graduate Student Award may be given annually to a PhD candidate.
PhD Award Devon Carroll, Plant Science
College of Veterinary Medicine
The recipient of the fourth-year student award within the College of Veterinary Medicine has attained the highest cumulative grade point average of all students in the fourth-year curriculum in the College. Only one fourth-year student award is given annually.
4th Year Award Emma Nixon
Initiates
We welcomed the following students into Gamma Sigma Delta (listed by Department or major:
Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics
Omar Aza, Beth Anne Billie Ray, Katlyn Smith, Taylor Thompson, Xiaohan Wei, Kendall Martin
Department of Agriculture Leadership, Education and Communications
Holt Akers-Campbell, Julia Gonzalez, Collin McCorkel, Matthew Anderson, Mika Douglas, Grace Harville, Kalil White
Department of Animal Science
Abigayle Pollock, Rebecca Blackburn, Kaycee Davis, Taryn Harris, Kyra Hokkanen, Brianna Jett, Rebecca Rahn, Nick Ray, Emily Travis, Taylor Welton
Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Sciences
Madeline Ginsberg, Sarah Shipp, Jackson Wise
Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology
Swati Mishra, Michelle Odoi
Department of Plant Sciences
Randall Landry, Samuel Purdom
College of Veterinary Medicine
Caroline Billings, Ashley Bonnette, Alexis Brossett, Emily Butts, Kelsey Cornman, Ashley Forbeck, Breanna Morton, Samantha Rummel, Kaitlin Tice
Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries Science
Bailey Delozier
Faculty and Staff
Angelia Nystrom, Institutional Advancement
Jennifer Richards, Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications
Daniel Mathew, Animal Science
Transfers from other GSD Chapters
Dr. Ann Berry, Family and Consumer Sciences – Initiated at LSU