LOWELL S. HARDIN AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURE
2026 APPLICATION PACKETS Due FEBRUARY 6, 2026
The office of International Programs in Agriculture (IPIA) invites nominations for the 2025-2026 Excellence in International Agriculture. This award, named in honor of Professor Lowell Hardin, honors the legacy of his contributions to international agriculture, and his many years of service in support of international activities in the Purdue University College of Agriculture. The award recognizes significant contributions of College of Agriculture faculty members to international activities. Faculty members currently serving at any rank in the College of Agriculture are eligible for nomination. The award consists of a plaque and honorarium to be used to further the recipient's international program. Winners will be recognized in a public ceremony and the names of the award winners will be placed on permanent display in the agricultural administration building.
Nominations may focus on innovative and impactful contributions to international excellence in any or all College of Agriculture mission areas including research, teaching, and engagement. The ideal nominee will demonstrate excellence in all three mission areas. Nomination documents should describe clearly and concisely the individual's international contributions and impacts.
The nomination packet must include:
- A nomination letter highlighting the nominee's contributions and commitment to international activities.
- Two additional letters of support, including at least one from an international partner or organization.
- The nominee's curriculum vitae.
It is particularly important that the nomination packet describes how the candidate's efforts satisfy the three primary criteria for the award:
- Excellence in international research, teaching and/or engagement (the ideal nominee will demonstrate excellence in all mission areas).
- Global reach and recognition of the individual's program.
- Noteworthy contributions to improving the human condition.
2026 nomination packets should be submitted electronically as a single pdf file to ipia@purdue.edu. Deadline for 2026 submissions is 5:00 pm, Friday, February 6, 2026. Please place "Hardin Award Nomination" in the subject line.
2025 Lowell S. Hardin Award Recipient announced
Dr. Barry Pittendrigh, the John V. Osmun Endowed Chair in Urban Entomology at Purdue University, has built a career defined by transformative work in global pest management and sustainable agriculture. His internationally recognized work includes developing integrated pest management strategies, co-founding Scientific Animations Without Borders (SAWBO) to deliver research-based content in over 300 languages and leading major efforts such as the Human Body Louse Genome Project and the Feed the Future Legume Systems Research Innovation Lab. Pittendrigh’s work continues to improve food security, reduce pesticide reliance and provide accessible, scalable education for farmers and communities around the world.
Watch the 2025 Awards Ceremony