Skip to Main Content

Top teachers and mentors recognized for exceptional work with students

D

uring the annual Spring Awards Banquet, the College of Agriculture honored students, faculty and staff. The virtual event was a collaborative effort between the Purdue Agricultural Council and the Office of Academic Programs. A recording of the event can be viewed here.  The following faculty and staff were honored during the event. 

Mesecar

Outstanding Graduate Mentor and Teacher:

Andrew Mesecar, the Walther Professor in Cancer Structural Biology and head of the Department of Biochemistry, has created the Biochemistry Graduate Student Organization and reorganized the graduate program. He uses cutting-edge lab equipment for his research, which serves as an innovative training ground for graduate students.

Hardiman

Richard L. Kohls Outstanding Early Career Teacher:

Brady Hardiman, an assistant professor of urban ecology, teaches Natural Resources Information Systems, the largest lab course offered in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources. Hardiman transitioned the course from a conventional lecture/lab format to a series of inquiry-based project modules that focus on urban ecology, wildlife, forestry and aquatic sciences. His courses challenge students to apply current knowledge and cutting-edge methods to understand and solve contemporary societal problems.

Cho

Outstanding Teacher Award for Clinical Faculty:

Young-Hee Choa continuing lecturer in the Department of Food Science, also serves as a mentor and advisor for undergraduate and graduate students. Cho attends teaching, technical and mentoring workshops to continue to develop instructional and communication skills.  

Bowling

David C. Pfendler Outstanding Counselor:

Laura Bowling, a professor of agronomy and director of the Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences program, researches hydrology and water resources addressing how the water cycle is altered through human intervention across multiple scales and ecosystems and communicating these findings to stakeholders such as urban planners, conservationists, policy-makers and drainage board. She has served as an undergraduate academic advisor since 2006. As an undergraduate advisor, she helps students identify their academic and professional goals and develop a plan to maximize their potential for success.

VanK

Service to Students:

Laurie Lambert Van Keppel, a career services and external relations coordinator in the Department of Food Science, has mentored and supported students for over 30 years. She collects input from students, alumni and industry professionals and uses that feedback to adjust assignments and activities, create new programs and influence positive changes across campus.

Buckmaster

Richard L. Kohls Outstanding Teacher:

Dennis Buckmaster  is a professor of agricultural and biological engineering. Since joining ABE in 2006, Buckmaster has been active in approving teaching, expanding resources for teaching, impacting students outside of the classroom and sharing gained insights. He teaches multiple courses that are critical to student success while also sharing his enthusiasm for the material.

Featured Stories

Unfinished P statue on the Purdue campus in the fall
FNR Personnel Earn National Awards, Recognition

Several FNR affiliated individuals garnered national attention for their research, teaching and...

Read More
Josh Widhalm
Josh Widhalm appointed director of Purdue Center for Plant Biology

Josh Widhalm, associate professor of horticulture and landscape architecture (HLA), has been...

Read More
Members of the Purdue Student Farm holding the TEAM Award.
Purdue Student Farm wins 2025 TEAM Award

The Purdue Student Farm (PSF), a small-scale sustainable farm managed by the Department of...

Read More
Verma with spectroscopy
Light-based tool continuously monitors vaccine quality during production

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the need to rapidly develop, produce and...

Read More
Four Purdue Animal Sciences students stand on the stairs inside Creighton Hall holding their winning art pieces from the department’s second annual art show. The photo shows colorful paintings and photographs as the students smile, celebrating their creativity and achievements.
Second annual Animal Sciences Art Show showcases student talent

Students displayed artwork celebrating creativity beyond the classroom in Animal Sciences.

Read More
Ellen Van Loo standing in front of the entrance to the Boilermaker Market.
New professor brings expertise in consumer food behavior research

Ellen Van Loo, an expert in the field of consumer food behavior, has joined Purdue...

Read More
To Top