College Names Advisor, Teacher, Student and Staff of the Year

The College of Agriculture has selected its advisor, teacher, student and staff employee of the year.

The 2014-15 Mack H. Kennington Advisor of the Year Award goes to Professor Broc Sandelin, chair of the animal and veterinary sciences department. Students said he “provides concise and complete answers to any question,” and he is described as being “professional, consistent, having complete knowledge of the field, efficient and having a never-ending willingness to help.” An award ceremony with the provost will be held on May 5.

Melissa Hulgreen, a lecturer in the animal and veterinary sciences department. was selected as the college’s 2014-15 Teacher of the Year. Students who nominated her expressed appreciation for the ability to “incorporate hands-on experience into the classroom and the fact that she allows them to practice techniques in a calm and supportive manner. “She has made lab enjoyable” and “makes learning fun.” She uses an approach called, “listen, try, teach” where students listen to her explanations and demonstrations, then try and master the skill themselves and finally teach the skill to each other. She will be recognized during commencement.

Our Student of the Year Award goes to Aasta Yim, who is a food marketing and agribusiness major. Aasta has served the college as president of the Agribusiness Management Club and president of Ag Council. She is described as “an extremely bright, inquisitive and resourceful individual.”

The Staff of the Year Award goes to Sarah DeLaParra, the administrative support coordinator for the animal and veterinary sciences department. Sarah is appreciated for “always being willing to help students” and being “organized, polite, enthusiastic and devoted to students.” Sarah also actively serves on staff council, is a member of the commencement committee and founded the staff club, “Raising a Little Health,” dedicated to promoting healthy eating and exercise for the staff.

The college asked students, faculty and staff to nominate candidates for the awards who exemplified hard work, commitment and excellent service to the college.