UW College of Ag Celebrates Outstanding Faculty and Staff

The University of Wyoming College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources recently recognized outstanding educators and staff members at its annual awards banquet.

"We have much to be proud of in the College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources," says Kelly Crane, interim dean of the college. "Our spring awards ceremony is a reminder that (the college) is composed of many truly remarkable individuals who make our college great through their hard work, innovation and personal sacrifice."

Award categories and winners are as follows:

Outstanding Staff

Kelly Wiseman was one of two staff members recognized for her outstanding contributions to the college.

As the coordinator of college affairs, Wiseman is involved in a wide variety of activities, from running committees to writing annual evaluations. She has worked in the college for 15 years.

"One of Kelly's most remarkable qualities is her genuine care and support for students and colleagues alike," says Pepper Jo Six, director of external relations for the college. "Her positive attitude and enthusiasm for her work are contagious, creating a motivating and inclusive atmosphere that brings out the best in everyone around her."

Steven DeVries also was recognized as an outstanding staff member. DeVries has been working as a master technician at the Red Buttes Environmental Biology Laboratory for 20 years. As the only staff member at the Red Buttes lab, DeVries has many responsibilities, but he still finds time to support students and faculty.

"Because Steve has cultivated great working relations with physical plant employees and other entities on and off campus, he is incredibly successful in working with these folks to get these projects done in a timely manner," says Scott Seville, head of the Department of Zoology and Physiology.

Lifetime Teaching Award

The Andrew Vanvig Lifetime Distinguished Faculty Achievement Award is given to a senior faculty member in the college who has achieved exceptional accomplishments in teaching, research, scholarship, outreach or service. Seville is this year's recipient of the Vanvig Award.

"Scott certainly embodies the spirit of this award," Crane says. "He is highly regarded by his colleagues, students and collaborators for his sustained productivity, thoughtful insights and unquestionable commitment to advancing science."

In addition to his role as department head, Seville is director and principal investigator of the National Institutes of Health-funded Wyoming IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence and a member of the UW Research and Economic Development Division advisory committee, among other roles.

Seville has published more than 60 peer-reviewed publications and has worked with community colleges across the state to give more students access to biomedical research opportunities. Nominators comment on his competence and commitment.

Outstanding Educators

Four educators in the college -- three on-campus faculty members and a Park County extension educator -- received the Outstanding Educator Award this year.

Sarah Lee, an assistant lecturer of family and consumer sciences, offers students unique opportunities to gain practical experience and goes above and beyond in supporting students.

"Sarah is highly adept at building rapport and community among students in the classroom and the online environment," says Jill Keith, head of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences. "Many of Sarah's students also comment on her compassion, empathy, caring attitude and ability to make them feel seen, supported and appreciated, as well as challenging them to learn to their full capacity."

Chris North, an associate instructional professor in the Department of Botany, is an organized, innovative and dedicated faculty member. North is associate director of the Life Sciences Program and laboratory coordinator for "LIFE 1010 - General Biology," a prerequisite course for many degree programs.

"Because of the extent of the impact of LIFE 1010 across hundreds of students and dozens of degree programs each semester, I suspect that few, if any, other members of our campus community have had a more broadly beneficial impact than Chris North," says Jonathan Prather, director of the Life Sciences Program.

Amy Navratil, an associate professor in the Department of Zoology and Physiology, continually explores new ways to improve her own teaching style and holds students to a high standard.

"As an instructor, Amy is engaging, articulate and challenging," Seville says. "Her commitment to the physiology program, the students and to high-quality teaching and learning is unmatched."

Off campus, Mary Louise Wood, 4-H and youth development educator for Park County Extension, has created innovative programs to engage 4-H youth and meet developmental goals, based on her deep understanding of the unique needs of her community and the populations within it.

"Mary Louise embodies positive youth development, and we are so thrilled that she has been recognized for her amazing 4-H youth development educational programming," says Mandy Marney, director of UW Extension.

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