WSU CAHNRS employees honored

Faculty and staff of Washington State University’s College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences were honored for their achievements at the 47th annual college awards banquet April 8.

Boon P. Chew, professor and scientist in the food science and human nutrition department, received the R. M. Wade Excellence in Teaching and Learning Award.  Chew, a member of the faculty for 27 years, was recognized for his ability to make difficult material understandable in a learning environment described as fun.  He is consistently rated as very enthusiastic, knowledgeable, helpful, fair and caring in course evaluations.

Larry K. Hiller, associate professor of horticulture, received the college’s Excellence in Advising Award. Hiller, who has been on the WSU faculty for 32 years, advises an average of 30 to 35 undergraduate and graduate students every year and has placed countless students in internships, summer jobs, and full-time positions after graduation. Hiller also advises the student horticulture club.

Robert  A. Parker, extension weed scientist, received the Excellence in Extension Award.  Parker, a member of the faculty at the WSU Prosser Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center for 27 years, is a former president of the Western Society of Weed Science and currently a member of the board of directors of the Oregon Weed Society.  He was an original contributor and has served as associate editor for Weeds of the West, which has sold more than 160,000 copies.

Charles G. Edwards, professor of food science and human nutrition, received the Faculty Excellence in Research Award.  Edwards, a wine scientist, conducts research on problems related to fermentation. His research has isolated two bacteria from spoiled commercial wine that could inhibit yeast.  He has been a member of the faculty since 1989.

Russ Salvadalena, who manages the WSU Creamery, received the Administrative-Professional Staff Excellence Award. During six years at WSU, he has increased cheese production, updated equipment, added storage, increased staff and increased sales.

Mary M. Kittelson, an office assistant III in the Institute of Biological Sciences, received the Clerical Staff Excellence Award. Kittelson, who has worked in the department for 10 years, was cited for her selfless dedication, excellent judgment, superior job knowledge, natural leadership skills, attention to detail and concern for colleagues.

Janet Lu Vierck, a research technologist supervisor in the animal sciences department, received the Classified Technical Staff Excellence Award. Vierck is involved in the design and conduct of research and teaching efforts in her department. She has expanded the research programs of two faculty, and over the past three years, she has mentored the research projects of four graduate and six undergraduate students.

The WSU Extension Energy Program’s Clearinghouse Team received the college Team Excellence Award. The 25-member team in Olympia responds to thousands of energy-related questions monthly, providing customized answers based on specific circumstances.

The most active clearinghouses are the EERE Information Center, operated on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy; the EnergyIdeas Clearinghouse, funded by the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance; and the Power Line, a service of the Western Area Power Administration.

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