Stories

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 logo

April 24, 2026

Rebecca Mott honored with CAFNR’s 2026 Outstanding Mid-Career Teacher Award 

At CAFNR’s annual Celebration of Excellence award ceremony, Rebecca Mott received the 2026 Outstanding Mid-Career Teacher Award. Mott is an assistant professor of agricultural education with nearly three decades of teaching experience. 

Celebration of Excellence

April 24, 2026

Kent Shannon awarded Outstanding Early Career Teacher Award at 2026 Celebration of Excellence 

Kent Shannon, assistant teaching professor in the Agricultural Systems Technology (AST) degree program, was awarded CAFNR’s 2026 Outstanding Early Career Teacher Award. He accepted the award at the college’s annual Celebration of Excellence ceremony April 23. 

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

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

David Mendoza-Cózatl named 2026 Brady J. Deaton Fellow in International Agriculture

He was honored at CAFNR's Celebration of Excellence awards ceremony April 23.

Celebration of Excellence

April 24, 2026

Clare Staley named 2026 CAFNR Outstanding Sophomore 

Clare Staley, a sophomore majoring in agribusiness management, was recognized as CAFNR’s 2026 Outstanding Sophomore at the college’s annual Celebration of Excellence. The awards ceremony took place April 23. 

Celebration of Excellence

April 24, 2026

Gwynivere Newbrough named 2026 CAFNR Outstanding Freshman 

University of Missouri freshman Gwynivere Newbrough was recognized as CAFNR’s Outstanding Freshman at the college’s annual Celebration of Excellence ceremony April 23. 

Celebration of Excellence

April 24, 2026

Matt Arri honored with 2026 Mumford Award for Outstanding Staff  

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

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.