Front Line Award
This award is given to a person who is a program assistant or serves in a clerical support staff role in a NAADA member’s alumni, development or student services office. The award recognizes an individual’s initiative, teamwork and ability to work effectively with the public, how they have advanced the programs or relationships within the college or unit and strengthened their college’s relationships with alumni, friends, donors and supporters.
Volunteer Service Award The Volunteer Service Award is presented to an individual who has given freely of their time to further the goals of their institution, has demonstrated leadership and organizational skills to inspire and encourage others to further the success of their alma mater’s agriculture and alumni programs.
Jane Longley-Cook Volunteer Service Award The Jane Longley-Cook Volunteer Service Award was created in recognition of Jane’s long time support of NAADA as a volunteer and representing her alma mater, Cornell University. She volunteered her time and efforts to further the goals of NAADA on a national basis, served in leadership roles, was an officer in our organization and was an effective spokesperson for NAADA. Recipients are recognized for their service to NAADA.
Ruby C. McSwain NAADA Outstanding Philanthropist Award This award recognizes an individual or individuals with a record of sustained giving to support agriculture, agricultural higher education, Cooperative Extension, or land grant universities. This award also recognizes an individual for his/her role as an advocate for agriculture and natural resources and for their philanthropy in community organizations, religious institutions, art, environment and social services.
Professional Achievement Award The Professional Achievement Award is given to recognize individuals for their significant career activities and accomplishments, leadership activities in professional and community organizations, other awards and recognitions. They also must be employed by a NAADA member institution with responsibilities for agricultural alumni, development or student service programs.
Founders Distinguished Service Award The Founders Distinguished Service Award recognizes outstanding service and dedication to the NAADA organization. This award is presented to an individual who is employed by a NAADA member institution at the time of nomination and has been actively participating in NAADA by taking a leadership role such as serving on the Board of Directors, chairing a committee, or hosting the annual conference.
Front Line Award Linda Norcross, University of Minnesota
The 2009 Front Line award winner is Linda Norcross from the University of Minnesota nominated by Associate Dean Jay Bell.
Linda works in the Student Services Office in the College of Food Agriculture and Natural Resources. Her job responsibilities are many and diverse. Linda has a leadership role in the college’s efforts to provide and improve on new student orientation and registration services. She has worked closely with the technology staff to build a powerful web-based system for scheduling. Linda serves as an academic advisor working specifically with students who have not yet declared a major.
Her responsibilities also include her role as commencement co-coordinator. It is clear Linda is an asset to the college’s students from the time they arrive until they depart the college.
Bill Ganzlin, Director of Student Services and Linda’s supervisor says Linda is clearly a team player and contributes significantly to the goals of the Student Services office at the College. She is well-liked and a trusted college. I have always found her to be a genial and cooperative co-worker who is always especially willing to go out of her way to assist students with whatever they need. “Students First” is our motto and Linda practices what we preach.
Karl Lorenz, Director of Diversity Programs states that Linda’s ability to effectively manage a complicated workload with many competing deadlines and needs is central to her success. She has the uncanny knack to successfully deliver completed tasks on time in the midst of multiple demands.
Dean Allen Levine adds – Linda’s professional performance and community involvement have been of great service to our student services system and her contributions have been integral to supporting and advancing the mission of the College and University’s central goals related to retention and graduation.
Volunteer Service Award Dan Kennedy, University of Minnesota
The Volunteer Service award winner this year is Dan Kennedy from the University of Missouri nominated by Mary Buschette, Director of Alumni & Constituent Relations
Mary states that Dan is “a truly committed and dedicated alum.” His significant contributions of time, enthusiasm, passion and creativity enhance the Colleges Alumni Society, the University’s Alumni Association and the University of Minnesota.
Dan has served on the Board of the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences Alumni Society since its inception in 2006. Dan has also taken a leadership role in coordinating the annual Food Industry Networking Social that connects current students, faculty and staff with alumni and professionals. This event is now in its third year.
Dan has also been active with the College’s Mentor Program for the past several years. This is a year long program that provides an opportunity for students to network and explore careers in their area of interest while being pared with a mentor. This year he went above and beyond agreeing to mentor two food science and nutrition students.
Dean Allen Levine states “as the first president of the newly formed society Dan set a high standard of leadership. He is largely responsible for guiding the evolution of our alumni society’s strategic vision and building a culture of inclusiveness and collaboration. As the University prepared to host the NAADA conference in the Twin Cities, Dan has been a key volunteer in the initial planning stages. Dan is an exemplary volunteer who has consistently placed a high priority on strengthening the constituent outreach of the college resulting in new and improved relationships to advance the mission of the College.”
In his letter of recommendation Keith Wolf, current alumni society president states: “I have been able to experience first hand his commitment and dedication to the alumni society. The quality of his leadership with strategic planning and organizational development will be seen within the Society for years to come.” Ruby C. McSwain NAADA Outstanding Philanthropist Award (2 awards given this year) Helen Price, University of Kentucky
The Ruby McSwain award winner is Helen Culton Price from the University of Kentucky nominated by Amy VanMeter, Associate Director of Development.
Helen grew up in Boyle County one of seven members of the Culton family to graduate form the University of Kentucky over the years. She and her siblings initially became engaged with UK through 4-H and showing cattle at district and state fairs. Helen states -Cooperative extension was an integral part of our lives, we were all in 4-H and active in many county programs; my father spent almost every Saturday afternoon at the county extension office involved with one thing or another. Thus for nearly 80 years of her life, Helen has been aligned with the University of Kentucky and the College of Agriculture.
Helen created the Helen Culton Price Scholarship for Human and Environmental Sciences to honor her parents. In addition as a tribute to their parents the Culton Children supported the renovation of the ES Good Barn’s south wing – a historical building on the UK campus and dedicated it as the a Culton suite which is now home to the Ag and Human Ecology Alumni Board Room.
Through their love of the College of Agriculture Helen and her late husband Bruce Price, created the H. Bruce Price Professorship in Agricultural Economics to enhance the many aspects of world experiences in the classroom.
Helen has created 4 charitable annuities what will benefit the College of Agriculture. She feels strongly about each of these generous gifts and their purpose to support students and professors in the College.
Helen is a founding member of the Women and Philanthropy leadership council, a group of thirty women who are launching a new campaign to recruit other women to make financial commitments to the University of Kentucky. Helen received a UK Human Environmental Sciences Centennial Laureate Award in 2007 for her career achievements as well as her philanthropy to UK.
In addition to her service to UK she is instrumental in the “Easter Dress Gift Away” which involves making clothing for underprivileged children in Chile, the Caribbean and Florida.
Dean Scott Smith states that “Helen is an incredible supporter of the University and the College not only financially but through her support of our students and alumni by volunteering her time. I truly appreciate the loyalty and support Mrs. Helen Price exemplifies for alumni and donors of the college of Agriculture at the University of Kentucky.”
Currently Helen resides in Madison, Wisconsin and winters in Orlando. At 89 she plays golf three times a week and has remained active in both the communities in which she lives.
In 2007 Helen hosted a private dinner for UK alums prior to the NAADA conference and attended some of the conference events. She appreciated the conference and has embraced NAADA.
Dr. William Hueg, University of Minnesota
This Ruby McSwain award winner is Dr. William F. Hueg Jr. from the University of Minnesota nominated by Cynthia Cashman, Chief Development Officer for the college.
Dr. Hueg has been an Asset to Minnesota’s College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources for over 20 years. One of his most recent gifts resulted in the establishment of the Hueg-Harrison Fellowship. The fund provides critical funding for graduate students. The fund also promotes and recognizes the student/mentor relationship that evolves during the pursuit of an advanced degree in production agriculture.
Bill was instrumental in establishing the Harley Otto Undergraduate Scholarship fund to honor his former co-worker’s outstanding career as an extension agronomist and CEO of the Minnesota Crop Improvement Association. In addition to providing seed money for the fund he has been involved in soliciting funds from individuals that were impacted by Harley during his career.
A long time supporter of the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, he recognizes the need for unrestricted money to address the most important and relevant needs of the facility. Dr. Hueg has contributed each year to ensure there is a steady stream of discretionary support. He was a major giver to the development and production of the Arboretum’s 50th anniversary book.
Bill has served as a tireless volunteer for the college; he played a key role in the evolution of the Siehl Prize for Excellence in Agriculture recognizing living individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the production of food and alleviation of hunger.
As a result of Bill’s lifetime giving to the University he was recognized by the University of Minnesota’s Presidents Club a group that acknowledges the University’s most generous donors who have taken a leadership role in helping to foster excellence.
Nancy Jo Ehlke, head of the department of agronomy and plant genetics says how much she has enjoyed her interactions with Bill and his spouse Hella over the past number of years. “I appreciate his intellect and quick wit and the straightforward manner in which he delivers his commentary on life happenings.” Bill is an outstanding supporter of the University of Minnesota not only financially through his philanthropy but also through his enthusiastic support.
In his letter of support Dean Allen Levine writes: “Bill’s list of philanthropy is long but it should be noted that he gives with enthusiasm and joy. To say thank you to Bill for his service as a donor, advocate, volunteer, mentor and friend seems totally insufficient. Nevertheless, I want you to know how much our College has benefited from his service. Bill has truly demonstrated the qualities we expect in an outstanding philanthropist.”
Professional Achievement Award Darcy Wells, University of Missouri
The professional achievement award winner this year is Darcy Wells from the University of Missouri nominated by Vice Chancellor and Dean Tom Payne.
Darcy graduated from Stephens College with a BA in Business Administration and in 1992 began her career there in the Admissions office. She remained there through 1995 at that time she was the Assistant Director of Major Gifts.
She then moved to the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Missouri in the position of Assistant Director of Development and was subsequently promoted to the position of director of Development in 1997.
In 1999 she moved to Kansas to take the position of Director of Development for the School of Business. She returned to the University in 2000 as Director of Development for Life Sciences. From 2001 on she has held the position of Executive Director of Advancement for the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.
In her current position she directs a comprehensive program to raise private support for the College, administers and supports the daily activities of six staff members in areas of major gifts, budget, gift receipts, publications, events, donor relations and volunteer management.
Dean Tom Payne comments that Darcy “puts her heart and soul into her job and into every activity with which she is involved. There is no half way for Darcy. One of the most cherished parts of her job is the relationships she forms with our donors, volunteers and alumni. No only do her donors touch her heart – she touches their hearts in many ways through the caring contacts she maintains with them.”
Michael Nolan, Director of the Division of Applied Social Sciences writes “What makes Darcy unique in my mind is her uncanny ability to relate to virtually any sort of individual. Whether it is an eccentric university faculty member, an executive of a major agribusiness firm or a Missouri farmer, Darcy has demonstrated she can earn their trust and establish a solid channel of communication with them. The college of Agriculture Food and Natural Resources as well as Missouri University is a far better place because of the contributions that Darcy Wells has made to our enterprise”
Lowell Miller, PhD says that he can honestly state that had Ms Wells been involved with him in his many philanthropic endeavors over the years the tasks would have been made much, much easier. Ms. Wells genuinely enjoys working and interacting with people with the end result that they, too, become passionate for the project and are willing to commit time and finances. In short, Darcy Wells is an individual I am proud to know and call a friend. Her record as a leader in the field of fund raising and development is outstanding and I can recommend her for the NAADA professional achievement award with no reservations. Founders Distinguished Service Award Jillian Stevenson, Pennsylvania State University
The 2009 Founders Distinguished Service Award is presented to Jillian Stevenson of Penn State University nominated by Nelson Loftus, President of the Penn State Ag Alumni Society.
Jillian has been involved with NAADA for the past ten years and served on the NAADA Board of Directors since 2005. She has served on the membership committee and has been the conference alumni track representative. Jillian currently chairs the education committee and has played a major role in planning the 2009 conference.
Kathryn Reed of Michigan State University states “Jillian is the consummate professional and NAADA colleague. It has been a pleasure to watch Jillian’s leadership experience grow and expand over the years in NAADA from participant to track rep to committee chair. She has been one of the forces behind NAADA’s transformation over the past few years. Jillian has worked very hard to develop sessions that cross the professional tracks.”
Kathryn also reminds us that Jillian’s efforts helped to re-engage Michigan State with NAADA at a time when they were considering dropping their membership. Her encouragement led to MSU increasing the number of professionals from their college who are NAADA members as well as increasing the numbers who attend the conference and sit on or chair committees. Jillian is a role model for others in building relationships, sharing knowledge and promoting the purpose of NAADA.
Mary Buschette, NAADA Vice President adds that “Jillian has brought many admirable qualities to our organization. She is a tremendous leader with a wealth of experience in the advancement field. She is visionary, creative, collaborative and optimistic. She is always wiling to ask the hard questions to be certain we are considering all options and are headed in the right direction.”
Jillian is the ultimate professional and has provided exemplary service and dedication to the NAADA organization and guidance to many members. She is most worthy of recognition with the Founders Distinguished Service Award.
