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Departmental Undergraduate News & Happenings 
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Awards to faculty, students and staff

December 16, 2008 Kristin Abney. Congratulations for being awarded 1 of only 2 UTIA Tom Dunlap Graduate Fellowships for Agriculture.  Kristin will receive a one-time $10,000 award in support of her current degree efforts.  Kristin is currently pursuing an MS degree under Dr. Dean Kopsell.  Her thesis project centers on the influence of UVA/UVB light on concentrations of nutritionally important secondary metabolites in Allium (scallion onions and chives) crop species.

Novemberr, 2008 Dr. Tom Samples of Plant Sciences has received the Gamma Sigma Delta Excellence in Extension Award. C*O*N*G*R*A*T*U*L*A*T*I*O*N*S!

October, 2008 Joe D. Burns, age 82, retired UTIA professor and Extension forage crops specialist, passed away Tuesday, October 7th, 2008 at St. Mary's Hospice in Knoxville. A complete obituary will be printed in the Friday, October 11 edition of the 'Knoxville News Sentinel'. Joe will be remembered for his smile and constant good cheer along with his professional excellence. He will be deeply missed by his colleagues and friends at UTIA and in the Plant Sciences Department. Cards may be sent to the Burns family at: 6804 Dorchester Dr., Knoxville, TN 37909.

October, 2008 Neil Rhodes and his wife, Becky both won Outstanding Alumnae Awards at NC State University. Congratulations!

October, 2008 The new University of Tennessee Turfgrass Weed Science website is now online at http://tennesseeturfgrassweeds.org, compliments of Jim Brosnan, Greg Breeden abd Dustin Lewis.
      Visit this website to stay in touch with all turfgrass weed science research and extension activities at the University of Tennessee. Some highlights include:
    - A new turfgrass weed identification tool that includes both color photos and control options
      for numerous weeds found statewide
    - Updates of on-going and completed turfgrass weed science research projects at both the       East and West Tennessee Research & Education Centers.
    - Access to our complete library of turfgrass weed science extension bulletins
    - New 'Solutions for Managing Turf Weeds' podcasts

October, 2008. Brandon Smith’s last day with us is October 14.  He has accepted a position with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in  New Hampshire, where he will continue to pursue his passion for sustainable crop production.
      Brandon joined our department in August 2006 and has been a very productive faculty member for us.  He will be sorely missed.  I hope you get a chance to thank him for his many efforts these past two years, high among them his instrumental contributions to the UTIA’s launch of an exciting program in sustainable/organic agriculture.
      Our department has developed a very strong team in this critical and burgeoning area, in collaboration with a variety of UTIA units.  Our sustainable ag team will continue its ongoing work and development of new projects, including those at the ETREC Organic Unit.

September, 2008. UT Gardens 25th Anniversary: video     Alumnus magazine: Growing Silver

September 28, 2008 Please join us at the dedication ceremony of the UT gardens' "Friendship Plaza" For more information check out this news release

August, 2008 Growing Organic. Jerry Baird of Grainger County has committed his estate, estimated at $4 million, to the Institute of Agriculture for the benefit of the Jerry Baird Organic Horticulture Research and Education Endowment in the Department of Plant Sciences. More>>

August, 2008 Several Plant Sciences faculty were recognized at UTIA Awards & Promotions  Banquet. Dr. Angela Thompson, Dr. Larry Steckel and Dr. Dean Kopsell are now officially tenured, associate professors. Dr. Vince Pantalone’s promotion to full professor was recognized. Beth Babbit was promoted from Extension Area Specialist II to Extension Area Specialist III. Garry Menendez accepted the E.R. “Prof” Lidvall Outstanding Teacher Award, given to faculty who exemplify Prof Lidvall’s commitment to excellence in the classroom and his commitment to the needs and interests of the student. Garry was asked to stay near the podium so that he could receive his SECOND award of the day, co-winner of the Cavender Outstanding Award for Best Publication.  This award recognizes excellence in the development of published material produced by professionals in the Institute of Agriculture.  The award is for “12 Common Landscape Mistakes and How to Avoid Them”. Dr. Fred Allen received the TAES Research Impact Award, presented to an Experiment Station faculty or professional staff member whose efforts have had a profound effect on improving the efficiency, sustainability and/or economic viability of the food and fiber industires of rural areas of Tennessee. CONGRATULATIONS!

July, 2008 The Department of Plant Sciences is pleased to welcome Dana Saywell as our new Organic Extension Specialist. As the Organic Specialist, Dana will coordinate the development of a state-wide extension program in organic agricultural production, focusing on fruits and vegetables. This program will include the creation of the Tennessee Organic Agriculture Consortium, a collaborative network of growers, university researchers, extension specialists, industry, and government to address critical issues in organic agriculture across the state.

June, 2008 David Walker is retiring from Plant Sciences this June after an impressive 40 years of service to UT. He is currently working for Dr. Vince Pantalone in the Soybean program but has served UT in UT-AES. the Comparative Animal Research Laboratory, Plant and Soil Sciences and Biosystems Engineering. He received the UT Send Roses Award in 2001 and the Mildred Pendagrass Award in 2007. We wish him all the best!

June, 2008 We are very pleased to announce that Sujata Agarwal has accepted our offer to become the manager of the Genomics Hub Lab, effective August 18.  Joshua Yuan is vacating the position to join the faculty at Texas A&M University. Sujata’s expertise and experience involve both plant and animal systems and as such make her an especially good fit for the lab’s diverse service activities to a variety of UTIA and university personnel.

June, 2008 Dr. John Foss, former department head of Plant & Soil Sciences, recently was awarded the University of Minnesota Outstanding Achievement Award, the most prestigious award for an alumnus.

April, 2008. Dr. David Lockwood received the 2008 Educator of the Year Award from the Claiborne County Conservation District.

April, 2008. Dr. Tom Mueller received a University of Tennessee Chancellor's Honors Award for Research and Creative Achievement.

February, 2008. At the Southern Weed Science Society 2008 Annual Meeting, Jacksonville, FL, Dr. Tom Mueller was presented the Southern Weed Science Society’s 2008 Distinguished Service Award. This prestigious award recognized his very extensive record of service to the Society and the discipline of Weed Science over the past two decades.

February, 2008. Congrats to Jay McCurdy and Steve Borst for winning awards at the Student Paper Presentation, Southern Weed Science Society 2008 Annual Meeting, Jacksonville, FL. Jay took 1st place: McCurdy, James D., J. Scott McElroy, Dean A. Kopsell, Carl E. Sams, and John C. Sorochan, "Effects of photoperiod and temperature on perennial ryegrass response to mesotrione". Steve took 2nd place: S.M. Borst, J.S. McElroy, G.K. Breeden, "Improved Silvery-thread moss control in bentgrass putting greens with carfentrazone plus cultural practices".

February, 2008. Congrats to Dustin Lewis, 2nd Place Masters Student Poster Contest, Southern Weed Science Society 2008 Annual Meeting, Jacksonville, FL Dustin F. Lewis, J. Scott McElroy, John C. Sorochan, and Greg K. Breeden, "Response of zoysiagrass to varied rates and timing of fluazifop and triclopyr".

January, 2008. At the annual meeting of the American Forage and Grassland Council in Louisville, KY on January 26-31, Dr. Henry Fribourg, Plant Sciences Emeritus Professor, received the prestigious Distinguished Grasslander Award from the AFGC. This award recognizes Henry’s long and productive career as a researcher and educator in forages, and it is presented by the Council to individuals who have served the forage and grassland segment of agriculture with distinction.

January, 2008. Lucas Owen , who works with Dr. Larry Steckel, won first place in the Weed Science poster section at the 2008 Beltwide Cotton Conference that was held at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville, TN Jan. 8-11. Congratulations, Lucas!

December, 2007. Graduate student awards: Crop Science Society of America (CSSA) Annual Resaerch Conference Section 5: Turfgrass:
2nd place: Oral Presentation
Soil vs. Foliar Absorption of Mesotrione by Yellow Nutsedge and Large Crabgrass James D. McCurdy, J. Scott McElroy, and Greg K. Breeden
2nd place: Poster Presentation
Safening of Aryloxyphenoxypropionate Herbicides by Triclopyr on Zoysiagrass Dustin F. Lewis, J. Scott McElroy, John C. Sorochan, and Greg K. Breeden

November 26, 2007. We are very pleased to announce that Dr. Xinhua (Frank) Yin will be joining the faculty of the Plant Sciences Department as an Assistant Professor working in the area of Systems Agronomy. Frank and his family will be relocating to Tennessee near the first of 2008, and he will begin his 100% research appointment on January 7, 2008. His office will be located at the West Tennessee Research and Education Center in Jackson. Frank will bring much needed expertise in precision agriculture and nutrient management to our already present, strong team of research and Extension scientists in Jackson.

August , 2007. The University of Tennessee's weed science student team (members Matt Cutulle, Jay McCurdy, Dustin Lewis, Drew Ellis and team alternate Dennis Jones) placed 5th overall at the annual summer weeds contest (hosted by Syngenta Crop Production) at the August 9, 2007 Southern Weed Science Society in Vero Beach, FL. The 5 contest events included: 1) Individual Math Calibration, 2) Crop/Weed Herbicide Response, 3) Farmer Problem, 4) Team Calibration, and 5) a Mystery Event. In all, there were 39 student participants representing 8 schools from across the southern region of the United States. Special honors were awarded to MS Studnet Drew Ellis, who received a 3rd place cash prize for his outstanding individual performance.

July 26 , 2007. UT to Offer Master in Landscape Architecture Program. Tennesseans seeking an advanced degree in landscape architecture will no longer have to go out of state to get it.
More >>

June 26 , 2007. UT-ORNL Team Wins DOE Bioenergy Center. The University of Tennessee and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory will manage a new $125 million bioenergy research center that will search for ways to produce alternatives to gasoline. More >>

May 26 , 2007. Marci Turner, a junior in our Turfgrass Science & Management program, was named NGCA All-American after the NCAA Championship Tournament May 25, 2007. Turner became the first Lady Vol to win the Edith Cummings Munson Golf Award since 1994. More >>

April 3, 2007. Plant Sciences hit it out of the park at this spring's College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources Awards Banquet.
     John Sorochan, who leads our Turfgrass Science undergraduate and graduate teaching program, received the 2007 W.F. and Golda Moss Outstanding Teacher Award (under 10 years of service). John was recognized for his outstanding performance in the classroom and as an advisor, his efforts to elevate the national stature of our turfgrass program, his creation of the Spring junior year turf block, and his effective mentoring of graduate students.
     Sam Rogers was the recipient of the 2007 W.S Overton Faculty Merit Award for his notable contributions to the development of students in the CASNR. Sam's classroom teaching of courses in Landscape Design and in Native Plants in the Landscape, his creation of the UT Environmental Landscape Design Lab and student advising were cited. Of particular note, he was recognized for his dedication to involving students in service learning projects through the UT Environmental Design Lab.
     Andy Pulte, a M.S. student in Public Horticulture under the direction of Sue Hamilton, received one of the two 2007 Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Awards. This award is presented to a graduate student who demonstrates excellence in the classroom and in working with undergraduate students in other ways that enhance the undergraduate educational experience. Andy's outstanding job of teaching Plant Materials, his numerous contributions to the educational role of the UT Gardens, and his effectiveness in horticultural communications were cited.
     Congratulations to Sarah Ball, Alexandra Spaulding abd Donna Mitchell for their recognition by the College for Scholastic Honors, 2006-2007. Also recognized were Donna Mitchell (Outstanding Senior, Plant Sciences), Jeremy Hamlington (Outstanding Junior, Plant Sciences), Rachel Johnson (Outstanding Sophomore, Plant Sciences), and Alexandra Spaulding (Outstanding Freshman, Plant Sciences).

April 2007. Catherine Nyinyi was honored in Quebec Canada as the 3rd place winner of the 2007 Biotechnology Student Excellence Award by the American Oil Chemists Society for her paper,
Confirmation of Fatty Acid Modifier QTL in Soybean, authored by Catherine N. Nyinyi, Vincent R. Pantalone, Fred L. Allen, Dean A. Kopsell, and Carl E. Sams.

March 30, 2007. Tony Clark, Johnson Bullard and Valerie Friedmann entered the 2007 Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement . Their posters and live presentations on the evening of March 29 were impressive, with Valerie winning a College award for: The Queener Residence: Design Solutions for a Residential Landscape.

February 2007. Blooms Days Event Wins National Educational Award. The Blooms Days Garden Festival and Marketplace, sponsored by our department, was named an Exemplary Education Award winner by All-America Selections. More>>

January 2007. The Department of Plant Sciences undergraduate team of Stuart Morris, Lucas Freshour, Tyler Mittlesteadt, and Will Jellicorse took home the first place trophy in the Student Challenge - Undergraduate Competition, at the Sports Turf Managers Association's Annual Conference and Exhibition in San Antonio, Texas. More>>

January 2007. Dr. Tom Mueller, Professor in the Plant Sciences Department, was presented the 2007 Outstanding Educator Award at the 60th annual meeting of the Southern Weed Science Society (SWSS), held at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville. The SWSS presents this prestigious award each year to a weed scientist "in recognition of outstanding contributions to the Society and Weed Science through education".

December 2006. Adam Thoms, a Masters student conducting athletic field research with Dr.
John Sorochan, was awarded a $2,000 Watson Scholarship by the Sports Turf Managers Association and the SAFE Scholarship program. His research projects assess how grooming influences traffic stress on athletic turf, effects of overseeding on wear tolerance, and how newer varieties of Bermudagrass handle athletic traffic stress. Adam was presented the scholarship at the 18th Annual Sports Turf Managers Association’s Conference held in San Antonio, Texas on January 17-20, 2007.

November 2006. Congratulation to Michael Petty, who received the Outstanding Sophomore Award from Gamma Sigma Delta at the November banquet. Congratulations as well to our graduate students Justin Bryant, Jennifer Pfeffer, Andrew J. Pulte, Rodney Tocco, Michael Waynick for being inducted into Gamma Sigma Delta.

September 2006. Dr. Pantalone receives B. Otto and Kathleen Wheeley Award for Excellence In Technology Transfer

2006. Dr. Bob Conger received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Plant Sciences Section of the Society for In Vitro Biology and an Honored Alumni Award from the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences at Colorado State University.

May 12, 2006. Congratulations, Class of Spring 2006! 

April 4, 2006. Hollis Malone, OHLD 1970 graduate, was presented with the Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, at the college's annual awards banquet. The award recognizes 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.

April 4, 2006. Susan Conlon and Emily Smith, each recent masters graduates from our public horticulture program, were presented with a Chancelor's Citation at the college's annual awards banquet. The Citation recognizes extraordinary professional promise.

April 4, 2006. Congratulations to Dustin Lewis, junior in our turf program, for recognition as the Outstanding Junior in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources in 2005. Congratulations as well to Anthony Clark and Michael Petty for their recognition by the College for Scholastic Honors, 2005-2006. Also recognized were Sarah Smith (Outstanding Senior, OHLD), Jessica Hentchel (Outstanding Freshman, Plant Sciences), Michael Flessner (Outstanding Sophomore, Plant Sciences), Amber Dunn (Outstanding Junior, Plant Sciences), and Jeremy Nicholson (Outstanding Senior, Plant Sciences).

March, 2006. Richard Johnson, PhD student working with Dr. Fred Allen, was awarded first place in the graduate student poster session at the ASA meetings, Southern Regional Branch, held February 4-8, 2006, in Orlando, Florida. The title of his poster was “Effect of Scion vs. Rootstock on Isoflavone, Oil, Protein, and Amino Acid Levels in Seed of Grafted Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] Plants. His coauthors were Craig Charron, Carl Sams and Fred Allen.

February, 2006. Dr. Fred Allen receives the Outstanding Service Award from the Southern Coordinating Committee - 33 (SCC-33) at their annual meeting in Savannah, GA. The SCC-33 is an Information Exchange Group composed of scientists from universities and agribusiness who are involved in agronomic crop variety testing.

January, 2006. Jenny Clement, masters student of Dr. Owen Gwathmey, won the poster competition at the Beltwide Cotton Conferences in San Antonio with her MS research on non-structural carbohydrate concentration at bloom and cutout observed in DP555 & PM1218 (more determinant & indeterminant) cotton cultivars.

December, 2005. Lindsay Martin, graduating with a bachelor's degree in our landscape concentration, was the top graduate (highest GPA) in the College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources in fall semester 2005.

September, 2005. The building housing our new landscape design facility, the Environment and Landscape Laboratory at 2512 Jacob Drive, receives its sign: have a look.

September 2, 2005. Our PLSC 230 and 470 students have the advantage of a national industry leader, Dick Ott, as their instructor.  More >>

August 23, 2005. Departmental Scientists Discover Unique Genetic Marker

July 12, 2005. Plant Sciences staff recognized at the UTIA Awards Banquet July 12, 2005:
Promotion from Extension Assistant I to Extension Assistant II:
   Greg Breeden
Winner of the Professional/Academic Award for Outstanding Service:
   Craig Charron 
Winner of the William T. Miles Memorial Award for Community Service:
   Sue Hamilton
Winner of the TAES Research Impact Award:
   Vince Pantalone  

May 07, 2005. Congratulations, Class of Spring 2005! 

May 19, 2005. Susan Conlon, masters student in public horticulture with Dr. Hamilton, is awarded the Perennial Plant Association's 2005 Young Professional Award.

May 2005. Christina Pierson receives the American Society of Horticultural Science 2005 Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Horticulture from the University of Tennessee. She received her bachelor's from the department in December 2004 and is currently a graduate student with Dr. Sams.

April 14, 2005. Dr. Carl Sams receives the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) Outstanding Graduate Educator for 2005.

March 10, 2005. Dilip Panthee, his major professor Dr. Vince Pantalone, and his co-authors, P. Kwanyuen, C.E. Sams, A.M. Saxton, have been awarded the American Oil Chemists Society's Archer Daniels Midland/Protein & Co-Products Division Best Paper Award in the chemistry/nutrition category for their research publication:
      Quantitative Trait Loci for Beta-Conglycinin (7S) and Gylcinin (11S) Fractions of Soybean Storage Protein. J. Am. Oil Chem. Soc. (2004) 81: 1005-1012.

January 30, 2005. From the WNOX web site "...Beginning Sunday, January 30 at 7:00 am, you'll hear the latest information, tips, and features about gardening and agriculture topics on NewsTalk99 WNOX! Dr. Sue Hamilton, Beth Babbit and special guests from the University of Tennessee Agriculture Department will discuss all that's gardening. Hosted by WNOX's Christine Jessel, the panel will take YOUR questions and comments each week! Check back here in the coming weeks for more information about The Garden Girls. "

January, 2005.   Dr. John Sorochan Honored as Turfgrass Professional of the Year.

September 27-29, 2004.   The Department enjoys an Academic Review.

September 2, 2004.   C. Neal Stewart, Racheff Chair of Excellence in Plant Molecular Genetics, has written a new book published by Oxford University Press. Genetically Modified Planet: Environmental Impacts of Genetically Engineered Plants, written for a lay audience, acknowledges the potential risks of growing engineered crops while noting environmental benefits. http://www.oup.com/us/?view=usa

September 1, 2004.   Dr. Feng Chen, functional genomicist, joins our faculty!

August 1, 2004.   Dr. Dean Kopsell, vegetable physiologist, joins our faculty!

July 2004.   Ludmilla Ohnoutkova, working with Janice Zale, joins our staff!

July 23, 2004.   Heather Toler, plant physiologist working with Bob Auge', joins our staff!

July 9, 2004.   Plant Sciences staff recognized at the UTIA Awards Banquet July 9, 2004:
Promotion to Associate Professor with Tenure
    Bill Klingeman
    Darren Robinson
Promotion to Professor
    Gary Bates
Cavender Award for Best Publication
    Larry Steckel and Greg Breeden
Professional / Academic Award for Outstanding Service
    Debbie Ellis
T. J. Whatley Distinguished Young Scientist Award
    Vince Pantalone
E.J. Chapman Outstanding Service Award
    Sandy Kitts
TAES Research Impact Award
    Bob Miller

April 15, 2004.   Mr. Garry Menendez, associate professor in the Department of Plant Sciences, received one of the UT National Alumni Association's Outstanding Teacher Awards.