UTIA celebrated the outstanding work of more than 40 members of the faculty and staff at the annual UTIA Awards and Promotion Luncheon. Ernest Bernard, renowned nematologist and long-time member of the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, was named Institute Professor, UTIA’s greatest honor.
Other top awards: Yang Zhao, Department of Animal Science, was named the T.J. Whatley Distinguished Young Scientist by UT AgResearch. The William E. Miles M.D. Award for Community Service went to Jennifer Weisent in the College Veterinary Medicine. Brad Collett, professor of plant sciences and director of the Tennessee RiverLine Initiative, received the Williams – E.R. “Prof” Lidvall Outstanding Teaching Award. Stacy Clark, Lawrence County Extension agent, received the Vernon and Ida Darter Award.
A Delicious Tradition Returns
The UT Creamery is once again serving up memories and new traditions. Thanks to the generous support of Peg Smith, who attended UT Knoxville from 1971 through 1975, and Sue Conley (Knoxville ’75), premium ice cream is for sale at a shop housed on 2712 Neyland Drive (across from Sorority Village). Smith and Conley, aka “The Cowgirls,” are the co-founders of the nationally acclaimed Cowgirl Creamery. The new UT Creamery is a throwback to a beloved institution that served students, faculty, staff and the community from 1915 until it closed in 1985 due to economic considerations.
The operation is run by students under the supervision of faculty in the Department of Retail, Hospitality and Tourism Management in collaboration with the Herbert College of Agriculture. Students from the Rocky Top Institute manage the retail side of the business, while Herbert food science students manage ice cream commercial production.
Enjoy any or all five flavors: VOLnilla, Torchbearer’s Chocolate, Smokey’s Strawberry Kisses, Mint Champion Chip and its signature flavor, Go Big Orange. Look for new flavors to be added in the future.
UT Extension Wins Employer of the Year
An international organization has confirmed that UT Extension is a great place to work. The International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) named UT Extension as its 2023 Employer of the Year. This award recognizes employers with a workplace culture that strives to realize the full potential of administrative professionals and encourages their professional and personal growth.
UT Extension Dean Ashley Stokes, Administrative Specialist Trudi Neubeck (Knoxville ’91, ’22) with Tennessee 4-H, and Millie Hanson, administrative support assistant with UT Extension in Washington County, accepted the award at the IAAP Summit in July. Both Neubeck and Hanson have served as officers in the Tennessee Extension Association of Administrative Professionals.
