Animal Sciences Distinguished Alumni Awards
Nomination applications for the 2025 Distinguished Animal Sciences Alumni Awards are now closed. Please check back in fall 2025 for details on submitting nominations for the 2026 awards.
Criteria for Selection
Nominees will have earned a B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. degree in Animal Sciences from Purdue University. Nominations for the three Distinguished Alumni Awards will be based on years since receiving their first degree from the department and will include Early Career (2009-2019), Mid-Career (1993-2008), and Lifetime Award (1992 and before).
The nomination packet must include a completed nomination form, the nominee's vita or resume, and a one-paged typed letter of nomination. Evaluation criteria is based on evidence of leadership, commitment to community service outside of professional career and professional career activities.
For more information
Please contact Marion Welsh (welsh@purdue.edu or 765-494-4808)
2025 awardees
The Purdue University Department of Animal Sciences honors three alumni with the 2025 Distinguished Animal Sciences Alumni Awards, recognizing their impact on animal agriculture and veterinary medicine. Dr. Bret Marsh receives the Lifetime Award, Eric Sheiss earns the Mid-Career Award and Nicholas Tharp is recognized with the Early Career Award.
PREVIOUS WINNERS
2025
Lifetime: Bret Marsh, DVM
Mid-Career: Eric Sheiss
Early: Nicholas Tharp
2025 Animal Sciences Distinguished Alumni Awards
2024
Lifetime: Dr. Mark Diekman and Mark Legan
Mid-Career: Jim Bishop
Early: Bailey Graham, Zach Tucker and Dr. Kelli Werling
2024 Animal Sciences Distinguished Alumni Awards
2023
Lifetime: Gerald "Jerry" Nickel
Mid-Career: Brian Bowker
Early: Jolena Waddell
2022
Lifetime: Paul Brennan, Dr. Kenneth Cummings and Dr. Todd Winters
Mid-Career: Laurene Lonnemann, Dr. Jim Reecy and Dr. Noel Williams
Early: Nicole Roberts
2021 - awards suspended due to COVID-19
2020
Lifetime: Dr. Mark Hilton and David Nichols
Mid-Career: Jeff Leininger, Dr. Penny Riggs, and Jody Roth
Early: Amanda Minton
2019
Lifetime: Tom Gillespie and Russell Hardin
Mid-Career: Mark Brubaker, Anna Dilger and Ryan Dilger
Early: Pam Boocher
2018
Lifetime: Dennis Marple
Mid-Career: Ryan Millett, Christie Bielinski
Early: Danielle Hunt, Woody Nichols
2017
2016
Lifetime: Charles & Margaret Carter, Tom Troxel
Mid-Career: Rebecca Schroeder
Early: Josh Crabb, Rachel Cumberbatch
2015
Lifetime: Ross Jabaay, Ronald Randel
Mid-Career: John Eggert, Janet Lynch-Rippe
Early: Janelle Deatsman, Sarah Wagler
2014
Lifetime: John Cleland, Max Judge
Mid-Career: Terry Hayhurst, Ron Scott
Early: Stacy Herr, Darryl Ragland
2013
Lifetime: Erick Metzger, Larry Miller
Mid-Career: Maurice Eastridge, Byron Ernest
Early: Thomas Weber
2012
Lifetime: Bud Harmon, Steve Nichols
Mid-Career: Jack Odle, Andy McVay
Early: Orville Haney, Liane Hart
2011
Lifetime: Gene Eisen, Don Gentry, Stanley Poe
Mid-Career: Dale Griffin, Greg Inskeep
Early: Amy Kelsey
2010
Lifetime: Timothy Blosser, Howard Unger
Mid-Career: Jeffrey Veenhuizen, Geoffrey Waldbieser
Early: David Hardin, Heather Hill
2009
Lifetime: Bill Baumgardt, Lawrence Muller
Mid-Career: Patricia Houghton, Kirk Klasing
Early: Bradley Lawrence, Matt Wilson
2008
Lifetime: Eddie Creighton, Wayne Perry, Jesse Shively
Mid-Career: Malcolm DeKryger, Alan Mathew
Early: Peter Hanebutt
2007
Lifetime: Bob Cherry, Martin Stob, Bob Totusek
Mid-Career: Chris Knight, Jerry Malayer
Early: Scott Thompson
2006
Lifetime: Joe Pearson, Walt Waitt
Mid-Career: John Madia
Early: Jody Roth
2005
Lifetime: Hobe Jones, Bob Peterson, Mauri Williamson
Mid-Career: Terry Fleck, Angela Siemens
Early: Barbara Lintzenich
2004
Lifetime: Frank Clark, Thomas Means, George Thrasher
Mid-Career: Roy Riggs, Gary Weber
Early: Christie Chavis, Brian Demos
2003
Lifetime: Robert Book, Gary Cromwell
Early: Todd Ripberger, Kristen Whittington
2002
Jeff Luckman