Notable Notes

Wendy Ward, Animal Science M.S. student working in Dr. Juan Medrano's laboratory, received an Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award. Wendy joins Jeff Mason, last year's recipient, and Monna Hess, a recipient several years ago, as current departmental graduate students who have received this prestigious award. Often these awards originate from departmental sponsorship; Wendy, however, was nominated by an appreciative undergraduate student and a co-teaching assistant in Wendy's Animal Genetics 107 course.

In March Professor Joy Mench received the 2002 Humane Society of the United States Animals and Society Award for her course, Animal Science 103, Animal Welfare. This award is intended to help foster the availability of high-quality curricula and instruction in animal welfare. In addition to a certificate of excellence, Joy received $1,000 for use in course development.

Professor Chris Calvert was selected by the Academic Senate to receive its prestigious Distinguished Teaching Award. In addition to his busy schedule as departmental vice-chair, Chris carries a heavy load of teaching and advising, both of which he does in a spirit of ensuring that our students receive a high-quality education. Chris' award was formally presented at the June 10 Academic Senate meeting.

Professor Tom Famula won a newly established, fully student-run award for outstanding teaching, the Associated Students of UC Davis' Excellence in Undergraduate Education Award, in late May.  An outstanding teacher was recognized for each undergraduate college at UC Davis from more than 250 nominated faculty. Tom was the recipient for our college, the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. 

In May, Jeff Mason, recipient of last year's Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award, was selected to receive the 2003-2004 Chancellor's Teaching Fellowship. Graduate student Cindy Batchelder was chosen as a fellow in the Professors for the Future program. 

Staff members Dan Sehnert and Kelly Wade were recognized at a Chancellor's reception as recipients of the UC Davis Staff Assembly Citation for Excellence for 2003. From the thousands of staff members on the campus, Dan and Kelly were two of only 50 to receive the award, which recognizes the valuable contributions our staff members make each day. Dan was cited for his work as the Animal Facilities Coordinator and for holding down five jobs (all within our department!) for a period of several months, keeping things running smoothly. Kelly was recognized for her role in keeping the department afloat during last year's year-end fiscal closing and for holding down two jobs essentially for a year, making sure the accounts and the payroll-personnel actions were managed properly.