Seven Purdue Agriculture faculty members recognized for teaching excellence

Richard L. Kohls Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching

Laura Bowling, Agronomy 

Laura Bowling is the director of the Natural Resources and Environmental Science program and professor of agronomy. 

The Office of Academic Programs, along with the College of Agriculture Awards Committee and Agricultural Research and Graduate Education, announced seven recipients of the 2022-2023 College of Agriculture Faculty and Staff teaching awards. The awardees were chosen by a committee of faculty and undergraduate students and will be formally recognized at the November 29th Celebration of Teaching Excellence event.

Richard L. Kohls Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching

Laura Bowling, Agronomy

Laura Bowling is the director of the Natural Resources and Environmental Science program and professor of agronomy.

Laura Bowling

ichard L. Kohls Outstanding Early Career Teaching 

Krystal Hans, Entomology 

Krystal Hans is the director of forensic science and assistant professor of forensic entomology.

Krystal Hans

Outstanding Graduate Mentor and Teacher

Natalia Dudareva, Biochemistry 

Natalia Dudareva is the director of Purdue’s Center for Plant Biology and distinguished professor of biochemistry. 

Natalia Dudareva

Outstanding Service to Students

Julie Pluimer, Forestry and Natural Resources 

Julie Pluimer is a senior academic advisor and administrative manager in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources. 

Julie Pluimer

Outstanding Teacher Award for Clinical Faculty & Lecturers

Shawn Ehlers, Agricultural and Biological Engineering 

Shawn Ehlers is an assistant clinical professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering. 

Shawn Ehlers

David C. Pfendler Outstanding Undergraduate Counselor

Mitch Tuinstra, Agronomy 

Mitch Tuinstra is a professor of plant breeding and genetics and Wickersham Chair of Excellence in Agricultural Research. He also serves as the scientific director of the Institute for Plant Sciences in the College of Agriculture. 

Mitch Tuinstra

John T. Taylor Excellence in Teaching Innovation

Elizabeth Flaherty, Forestry and Natural Resources 

Elizabeth Flaherty is an associate professor of wildlife ecology and habitat management. 

Elizabeth Flaherty

Featured Stories

Cow being tested with technology created with AgSEED grant.
AgSEED grants grow success

The average long-term return on the stock market is about 10 percent. For AgSEED, the Purdue...

Read More
Four adults talking at a table with healthy food
U.S. consumers report diet satisfaction patterns in latest Consumer Food Insights survey

The January Consumer Food Insights Report (CFI) sought to determine whether those classified as...

Read More
Conner Kesslar stands with friends at FFA convention
Preparing to teach the next generation

Growing up in LaGrange, Indiana, surrounded by small towns and strong agricultural roots, Conner...

Read More
Abigail Bothwell holds Purdue flag on study ab
A world of opportunity in Agricultural Economics

Growing up traveling the world, Abigail Bothwell always wanted to see how agriculture connects...

Read More
Corn and wheat crops in a field with a blue sky in the background.
Purdue agronomy faculty members earn 2025 ACSESS Fellows

The Alliance of Crop, Soil and Environmental Science Societies (ACSESS) have acknowledged three...

Read More
Ag Barometer
Farmer sentiment drops sharply at start of 2026 as economic concerns increase

Farmer sentiment weakened sharply in January, as the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy...

Read More