Mississippi State’s Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine honors faculty, staff for excellence
Contact: Mary Kathryn Kight
STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State’s Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine recognized outstanding faculty and staff members for excellence in teaching, research and service during its annual Summer Summit awards ceremony this month.
The annual awards celebrate individuals whose work advances the university’s land-grant mission while making meaningful contributions to students, producers, communities and industries across Mississippi and beyond.
“When I came to Mississippi State nearly 30 years ago, I found a place with tremendous opportunity, but it was the people who made me want to build my career here,” said the division’s Vice President Keith Coble. “Every day I see faculty and staff who are committed to serving others, solving problems and making our state stronger. That’s what the land-grant mission looks like, and that’s why it’s such a privilege to recognize these outstanding individuals.”
Among the division’s highest honors are the Regions Bank-DAFVM Superior Faculty Awards, which recognize outstanding achievement in teaching, research, extension and outreach, service and international engagement. Recipients include:
Teaching: College of Forest Resources Associate Teaching Professor Leslie Burger, recognized for exceptional teaching, hands-on learning experiences and dedicated mentorship that prepares future conservation professionals.
Research: College of Veterinary Medicine Research Professor and Delta Research and Extension Center Coordinator David Wise, honored for internationally recognized research that has advanced fish health, strengthened aquaculture and benefited Mississippi’s catfish industry.
Extension/Outreach: Extension Professor and DREC Director Jimmy Avery, recognized for more than 26 years of service to the state’s catfish producers through education, technical assistance and industry leadership.
Service: CVM Associate Clinical Professor Kristie Chavez, honored for leadership that has strengthened emergency and critical care services and enhanced patient care, clinical training and student success.
International: School of Human Sciences Associate Professor Caroline Kobia, recognized for building international partnerships, expanding study abroad opportunities and developing programs that improve communities through education and entrepreneurship.
The division also recognized recipients of the Dr. Robert L. Williams DAFVM Stellar Staff Awards, established by the DAFVM Staff Advisory Council to honor outstanding professional and support staff members. Recipients include:
Professional Staff: College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Director of Enrollment, Retention and Outreach Cory Bailey, recognized for leadership in student recruitment, enrollment, retention and outreach that has helped strengthen the division’s academic programs and student success.
Support Staff: CALS Department of Agricultural Science and Plant Protection Administrative Assistant I Swayze Hollenhead, recognized for outstanding service, professionalism and dedication to supporting faculty, staff and students.
The Gamma Sigma Delta Faculty Awards recognized recipients for excellence including:
Teaching: CVM Department of Clinical Science Associate Clinical Professor Jake Shivley.
Research: CVM Department of Pathobiology/Population Medicine Assistant Professor and Associate Director Stephen Reichley.
Extension: CALS Department of Animal and Dairy Science Assistant Professor Leyla Rios de Alvarez.
The William M. White Special Project Program awarded funding to five innovative projects that support research, teaching and extension initiatives across the division. This year’s funded projects focus on veterinary medicine, aquaculture, precision livestock technology, curriculum innovation and agricultural automation. Project leaders include Professor Steve Elder, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering; Assistant Professor Taylor Heckman, DREC; and Postdoctoral Associate Joshua Bumgarner, DREC; Assistant Clinical Professor Marcus McGee, Department of Animal and Dairy Science; Associate Professor Kelsey Harvey, Prairie Research Unit; Professor and Head Christy Bratcher, Department of Animal and Dairy Science; Professor Caleb Lemley, Animal and Dairy Science; and Associate Professor O.P. McCubbins, School of Human Sciences; and Assistant Professor Dong Chen, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering.
Recipients of the Doris and Louis Wise Staff Awards were recognized for exemplary service, professionalism and commitment to the division’s mission. Honorees include FWRC Office Associate Patricia Smith and CVM ICU Technician I Chelsea Jackson in the support staff category, with Extension Associate III Edward Entsminger and Extension Associate II Brett Farmer in the professional staff category.
The Rosalind and Rodney Foil Teamwork Award was presented to Department of Agricultural Economics Assistant Professor Kevin Kim for his collaborative leadership of the annual Mississippi Agricultural Outlook Conference, which has expanded its reach while strengthening partnerships across the university and Mississippi’s agricultural community.
MSU’s Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine includes the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, College of Forest Resources, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, Forest and Wildlife Research Center, and MSU Extension Service. Together, these units advance the university’s land-grant mission through learning, research and service that improves the lives of Mississippians and people around the world.
Mississippi State University is taking care of what matters. Learn more at www.msstate.edu.