Holling Family Award
Teaching Excellence
2023 Award Deadline
5:00 pm on Friday, March 31, 2023
The Holling Family Teaching Excellence Awards have been recognizing exceptional teaching and extension in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture (NCTA) since 1998 with over 180 awards presented in the senior faculty, junior faculty, and teaching assistant categories. IANR and NCTA are known for outstanding teaching and extension, and for fostering a collaborative community that enhances the lives of the people we serve. We invite you all to nominate a colleague, instructor, mentor, teaching and learning assistant for one of these awards.
The 2021 Award categories have been updated to reflect the values of our community, and to be more inclusive in who and what we recognize.
Award Categories & Eligibility
Sustained Excellence in Teaching and Learning Faculty Award
open to CASNR faculty at all ranks
Recognizing exceptional teaching, the 2023 Holling Family Excellence in Teaching Award Program will provide two awards for Sustained Excellence. Award amount $5,000. Please submit a complete nomination packet including the 2-page nomination and letters of support: one from a peer and one from a student in the classroom or stakeholder.
Submit NominationFaculty Award for Inclusive Excellence in Teaching and Learning
open to CASNR faculty of all ranks
Recognizing the embodiment of diversity and inclusive excellence in teaching, the 2023 Holling Family Excellence in Teaching Award Program will provide two awards for Inclusive Excellence. Award amount $5,000. Please submit a complete nomination packet including the 2-page nomination and letters of support: one from a peer and one from a student in the classroom or stakeholder.
Submit NominationEarly Achievement Faculty Award
open to CASNR faculty in the first 6 years of their position
Recognizing exceptional teaching by early career faculty, the 2023 Holling Family Excellence in Teaching Award Program will provide two awards for Early Achievement. Award amount $3,000. Please submit a complete nomination packet including the 2-page nomination form and letters of support: one from a peer and one from a student in the classroom or stakeholder.
Submit NominationGraduate and Undergraduate Teaching and Learning Assistant Award
open to all CASNR students in good academic standing
Recognizing exceptional teaching and learning in graduate, professional, and undergraduate teaching assistants, the 2023 Holling Family Excellence in Teaching Award Program will provide two awards for Graduate, Professional and Undergraduate Teaching and Learning Assistants. At least one of these awards will be presented to an Undergraduate TA/LA. Award amount $1,000. Please submit a complete nomination packet including the 2-page nomination form and letters of support: one from the graduate advisor or course advisor, and one from a student served by the Teaching/Learning Assistant.
Submit NominationCASNR Staff Inclusive Excellence Award
open to all CASNR staff members
CASNR will provide an award to recognize a staff member for outstanding contributions in diversity and inclusive excellence. The Staff Inclusive Excellence Award will provide one $1,000 award to a staff member in CASNR. Please submit a complete nomination packet including the 2-page nomination and letters of support: two from faculty, staff, students, or other stakeholders the nominee interacts with.
Submit NominationNominations
Nominations for all awards are due on March 31, 2023.
Nomination packets can be submitted electronically using the appropriate Submit Nomination button for each category.
Questions can be directed to Meg Kester at meg.kester@unl.edu.
| Award | Awardee |
|---|---|
| Sustained Excellence in Teaching and Learning Faculty Award |
Kathryn Hanford, Statistics Chris Chizinski, School of Natural Resources |
| Faculty Award for Inclusive Excellence in Teaching and Learning |
Gina Matkin, Agricultural Leadership, Education & Communication Byron Chaves, Food Science & Technology |
| Early Achievement Faculty Award |
Brandi Sigmon, Plant Pathology Rebecca Young, Agronomy & Horticulture |
| Graduate and Undergraduate Teaching and Learning Assistant Award, Undergraduate | Johnathan Kelly, Environmental Restoration Science |
| Graduate and Undergraduate Teaching and Learning Assistant Award, Graduate | Heydi Calderon Ambelis, Biological Engineering |
| CASNR Staff Inclusive Excellence | Megan Rothenberger, Student Development Coordinator |
| Award | Awardee |
|---|---|
| Sustained Excellence in Teaching and Learning Faculty Award | Steven Comfort, School of Natural Resources |
| Faculty Award for Inclusive Excellence in Teaching and Learning | Jackie Cervantes-Guzman, Nebraska Extension |
| Early Achievement Faculty Award | Elliot Dennis, Department of Agricultural Economics |
| Graduate and Undergraduate Teaching and Learning Assistant Award, Undergraduate | Samantha Guenther, Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication |
| Graduate and Undergraduate Teaching and Learning Assistant Award, Graduate | Zachery Shomo, Department of Biochemistry |
| Year | Recipient | Department |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Joseph Dauer | School of Natural Resources |
| 2020 | Steven Jones | Animal Science |
| 2019 | Karin van Dijik | Biochemistry |
| 2019 | Doug Smith | NCTA |
| 2019 | Suat Irmak | Biological Systems Engineering |
| 2018 | Lisa Pennisi | School of Natural Resources |
| 2018 | Fabio Mattos | Agricultural Economics |
| 2018 | John Hay | Biological Systems Engineering |
| 2017 | Dennis Ferraro | School of Natural Resources |
| 2017 | Roger Hoy | Biological Systems Engineering |
| 2017 | Larkin Powell | School of Natural Resources |
| 2016 | Lisa Karr-Lilienthal | Animal Science |
| 2016 | Martha Mamo | Agronomy and Horticulture |
| 2016 | Bradford Ramsdale | Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture |
| 2016 | Brandy VanDeWalle | Southeast Research and Extension Center |
| 2015 | Dann Husmann | Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication |
| 2015 | Brad Lubben | Agricultural Economics |
| 2015 | David Wedin | School of Natural Resources |
| 2014 | Sarah Browning | Extension |
| 2014 | Deana Namuth-Covert | Agronomy and Horticulture |
| 2014 | Mark Pegg | School of Natural Resources |
| 2014 | Rick Rasby | Animal Science |
| 2013 | Joseph Barycki | Biochemistry |
| 2013 | Patricia Freeman | School of Natural Resources |
| 2013 | Timothy Lemmons | Extension |
| 2013 | Sheila Purdum | Animal Science |
| 2012 | Erin Blankenship | Statistics |
| 2012 | Charles Burr | Extension |
| 2012 | Randy Pryor | Extension |
| 2012 | Jerry Volesky | Extension |
| 2011 | Kathleen Anderson | Animal Science |
| 2011 | Scott Hygnstrom | School of Natural Resources |
| 2011 | Ellen Paparozzi | Agronomy and Horticulture |
| 2011 | Brett White | Animal Science |
| 2010 | Susan Cuppett | Food Science and Technology |
| 2010 | Ron Hanson | Agricultural Economics |
| 2009 | John Foster | Entomology |
| 2009 | Paul Hay | Extension |
| 2009 | Phillip Miller | Animal Science |
| 2009 | Connie Reimers-Hild | Extension |
| 2008 | James Brandle | School of Natural Resources |
| 2008 | Tom Dorn | Extension |
| 2008 | Richard Sutton | Agronomy and Horticulture |
| 2008 | Gary Zoubek | Extension |
| 2007 | Terry Hejny | Nebraska LEAD |
| 2007 | Barbara Ogg | Extension |
| 2007 | Madhavan Soundararajan | Biochemistry |
| 2007 | David Varner | Extension |
| 2006 | Dennis Burson | Animal Science |
| 2006 | Andrew Christiansen | Extension |
| 2006 | Alexander Martin | Agronomy and Horticulture |
| 2006 | Sharon Skipton | Extension |
| 2005 | Beth Birnstihl | Extension |
| 2005 | Judy Bowmaster-Cole | Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture |
| 2005 | Merlyn Nielsen | Animal Science |
| 2005 | David Smith | School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences |
| 2004 | Robert Klein | Extension |
| 2004 | John Markwell | Biochemistry |
| 2004 | Stephen Mason | Agronomy and Horticulture |
| 2004 | Ed Peters | School of Natural Resources |
| 2003 | Steve Jones | Animal Science |
| 2003 | Don Lee | Agronomy and Horticulture |
| 2003 | Jack Schinstock | Biological Systems Engineering |
| 2003 | Del VanDerWerff | Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture |
| 2002 | James Gosey | Animal Science |
| 2002 | Lowell Moser | Agronomy and Horticulture |
| 2002 | James Partridge | Plant Pathology |
| 2002 | John Rupnow | Food Science and Technology |
| 2001 | Mary Beck | Animal Science |
| 2001 | Del Hemsath | Extension |
| 2001 | Robert Hutkins | Food Science and Technology |
| 2001 | Steve Rodie | Agronomy and Horticulture |
| 2000 | Don Adams | Animal Science |
| 2000 | Vicki Greve | Extension |
| 2000 | Ron Hanson | Agricultural Economics |
| 2000 | Gerald Sundquist | Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture |
| 1999 | Dean Eisenhauer | Biological Systems Engineering |
| 1999 | Michael Kocher | Biological Systems Engineering |
| 1999 | Keith Glewen | Extension |
| 1999 | Terri Jo Bek | Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture |
| 1998 | Lloyd Bell | Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication |
| 1998 | Dennis Brink | Animal Science |
| 1998 | Leon Higley | Entomology |
| 1998 | Terry Klopfenstein | Animal Science |
| Year | Recipient | Department |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Renee McFee | School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences |
| 2020 | Eric North | School of Natural Resources |
| 2020 | Jamilynn Poletto | School of Natural Resources |
| 2020 | Laura Thompson | Extension Education |
| 2019 | Sam Wortman | Agronomy and Horticulture |
| 2019 | Rebecca Roston | Biochemistry |
| 2019 | Daran Rudnick | Biological Systems Engineering |
| 2018 | Nicole Iverson | Biological Systems Engineering |
| 2018 | Jaime Loizzo | Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication |
| 2018 | Jeffrey Peterson | Agricultural Economics |
| 2018 | Santosh Pitia | Biological Systems Engineering |
| 2017 | Jenny Dauer | School of Natural Resources |
| 2017 | Leah Sandell | Agronomy & Horticulture |
| 2016 | Jennifer Keshwani | Biological Systems Engineering |
| 2016 | L.H. McElravy | Agricultural Leadership, Education & Communication |
| 2015 | Joe Luck | Biological Systems |
| 2015 | Amy Burgin | School of Natural Resources |
| 2014 | Deepak Keshwani | Biological Systems Engineering |
| 2014 | Ashley Hall | Entomology |
| 2013 | Tom Weissling | Entomology |
| 2013 | Jennifer Green | Statistics |
| 2012 | Matthew Spangler | Animal Science |
| 2012 | Lindsay Chichester | Extension |
| 2011 | Gina Matkin | Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication |
| 2011 | Jennifer Wood | Animal Science |
| 2010 | David Carter | Entomology |
| 2010 | Jason Ellis | Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication |
| 2010 | Dennis Ferraro | School of Natural Resources |
| 2010 | Lisa Karr-Lilienthal | Animal Science |
| 2009 | Cheryl Bailey | Biochemistry |
| 2009 | Cory Reng | Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture |
| 2008 | Jennifer Rees | Extension |
| 2007 | Suat Irmak | Biological Systems Engineering |
| 2007 | Darrell Mark | Agricultural Economics |
| 2006 | Loren Giesler | Entomology |
| 2006 | Kim Todd | Agronomy and Horticulture |
| 2005 | Clyde Cranwell | Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture |
| 2005 | Brett White | Animal Science |
| 2004 | Dann Husmann | Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication |
| 2004 | Larkin Powell | School of Natural Resources |
| 2003 | Tiffany Heng-Moss | Entomology |
| 2003 | Jess Miner | Animal Science |
| 2002 | John Barbuto | Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication |
| 2002 | James Stack | Plant Pathology |
| 2001 | Brian Benham | Extension |
| 2001 | Rosemarie Nold | Animal Science |
| 2000 | James King | Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication |
| 1999 | Rhae Drijber | Agronomy and Horticulture |
| 1999 | James Kennedy | Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture |
| 1998 | Susan Fritz | Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication |
| 1998 | Sheila Kepler | Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication |
| 1998 | Walter Schacht | Agronomy and Horticulture |
| Year | Recipient | Department |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Joslyn Beard | Animal Science |
| 2020 | Tasha King | Animal Science |
| 2020 | James Lee | ALEC |
| 2020 | Salvador Ramirez | Agronomy & Horticulture |
| 2019 | Katie Bidne | Animal Science |
| 2019 | Adam Striegel | Agronomy and Horticulture |
| 2019 | Kelly Willemssens | School of Natural Resources |
| 2019 | Jason Headrick | Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication |
| 2018 | Tiffani Luethke | Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication |
| 2018 | Kate McCain | Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication |
| 2018 | Aaron Shropshire | Agronomy & Horticulture |
| 2017 | Braymond Adams | School of Natural Resources |
| 2016 | Katherine I. Domenech-Perez | Animal Science |
| 2016 | Nancy Qwynne Lackey | School of Natural Resources |
| 2015 | Jeff Hartman | |
| 2015 | Katherine Lawry | |
| 2014 | Elizabeth Claassen | |
| 2014 | L.J. McElravy | |
| 2013 | Shannon Moncure | |
| 2012 | Kim Cluff | |
| 2012 | Pamela Anderson Fellers | |
| 2011 | Benjamin Arentsen | |
| 2011 | Andrew Brueggeman | |
| 2010 | Heath Harding | |
| 2010 | John Quinn | |
| 2009 | Joana Story | |
| 2009 | Jeremy Wagnitz | |
| 2008 | Tierney Brosius | |
| 2008 | Joel Lechner | |
| 2007 | Sara Daubert | |
| 2006 | Timothy Huntington | |
| 2006 | Corey Searle | |
| 2005 | Carmen Gherasim | |
| 2005 | Jennifer Moss | |
| 2004 | James MacDonald | |
| 2004 | Jeremy Martin | |
| 2003 | Kevin Delaney | |
| 2003 | Douglas Golick | |
| 2002 | Cristina Furdui | |
| 2002 | Horatiu Olteanu | |
| 2001 | Mark Allan | |
| 2000 | Michael Burton | |
| 2000 | Jolene Schauer | |
| 1999 | Todd Campbell | |
| 1999 | Galen Erickon | |
| 1998 | John Ortman |