Laura Hertel, Senior Coordinator of Student Services, School of Natural Resources, has been honored with the 2020 Dana Brown Haynes Distinguished Service Award from the CAFNR Alumni Association.

Hertel, who earned her bachelor’s in Communications and Elementary Education from University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, has been part of the School of Natural Resources at the University of Missouri since 1992, currently serving as Senior Coordinator of Student Services. She also instructs a course on College Success in SNR.

She established the Natural Resources Alumni Organization, coordinates the annual Trivia in the Wild Scholarship Fundraiser and established the annual new student breakfast. Hertel helps coordinate Chillin’ with the Mentors, which pairs students with alumni in their fields; the welcome back fall BBQ; lunch-and-learn sessions for faculty and staff; and the SNR Homecoming float. She has served as president of the Advisors Forum at Mizzou, and is the advisor for SNR Student Council and SNR Student Ambassadors. Hertel has received the Excellence in Education Award from MU Student Affairs and the Tiger Staff Award in the School of Natural Resources.

“Laura Hertel is a ‘big idea’ person. She always has something in her back pocket that will help enhance a meeting or workshop or Tuesday! She seamlessly works with faculty, staff, students, and alumni, knowing what each audience needs,” said nominator Shibu Jose, CAFNR associate dean for research.

“The Dana Brown Haynes Distinguished Service Award honors individuals that reflect the core values of passion, engagement, and teamwork. To me and many other students and alumni from SNR, Laura is the epitome of these traits,” said SNR alumna Ashley Schulz. “All schools should have someone like Laura. Without her, many SNR students and organizations would not be where they are today. I candidly thank you for your consideration of this extraordinary woman who always has a smile on her face, a positive attitude, and always has her office door open to help when anybody needs it. She has positively changed the lives of many people, and is sure to change the lives of many more in the future.”