CAFNR

Celebration of Excellence

April 24, 2026

Ben Knapp receives CAFNR’s 2026 Outstanding Senior Teacher Award 

Ben Knapp, associate professor in the School of Natural Resources, has been named the recipient of the 2026 CAFNR Outstanding Senior Teacher Award in recognition of his sustained excellence in teaching, mentorship, and innovative experiential learning. Knapp was honored at CAFNR’s Celebration of Excellence awards ceremony April 23.  

Celebration of Excellence

April 24, 2026

Robyn Eschenbrenner Holliday honored with 2026 Outstanding Undergraduate Advisor Award 

Robyn Eschenbrenner Holliday received CAFNR’s 2026 Outstanding Undergraduate Advisor Award at the college’s Celebration of Excellence awards ceremony April 23. 

Celebration of Excellence

April 24, 2026

Pei Liu receives 2026 Outstanding Graduate Mentor Award 

Pei Liu, associate professor of hospitality management, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Outstanding Graduate Mentor Award in recognition of her exceptional dedication to graduate student success, scholarly mentorship and professional development. The award was presented April 23 at CAFNR's Celebration of Excellence awards ceremony.

Celebration of Excellence

April 24, 2026

Mandy Bish honored with 2026 J.W. Burch State Specialist Agriculture Extension Award 

She received the award April 23 at CAFNR's Celebration of Excellence awards ceremony.

Celebration of Excellence

April 24, 2026

Rob Myers honored as 2026 Roger L. Mitchell Fellow

Myers was honored at the Celebration of Excellence awards ceremony April 23.

Celebration of Excellence

April 24, 2026

Chung-Ho Lin honored with Mumford Outstanding Faculty Award at 2026 Celebration of Excellence 

The Mumford is the college's signature award and named for a ground-breaking former dean.

Celebration of Excellence

April 24, 2026

2026 William R. Lamberson Distinguished Thesis awarded to R. Tharindu Rambadagalla 

He received the award at the April 23 CAFNR Celebration of Excellence awards ceremony.

Celebration of Excellence

April 24, 2026

Mehdi Hajikhani receives William R. Lamberson Distinguished Dissertation 

He was recognized at the college's award ceremony, Celebration of Excellence, April 23.

Celebration of Excellence

April 24, 2026

Marc Libault honored with Distinguished Research Award at 2026 Celebration of Excellence 

Marc Libault, professor of plant science and technology, has received CAFNR’s 2026 Distinguished Research Award for his internationally recognized scholarship in plant single cell biology. He was honored during the Celebration of Excellence awards ceremony April 23.   

Kantha smiling in office with canned food.

April 22, 2026

Q&A with Kantha Channaiah

Kantha is the state extension specialist of food processing and safety and assistant professor of food science.