The College of Natural Sciences, Forestry, and Agriculture announces the winners of this year’s undergraduate student awards.

Outstanding International Student—2012

Dung (Emily) Tran, from Vietnam, has a triple major in financial economics, accounting, and finance. An excellent student in each of her three degree programs, Emily is also this year’s outstanding international student for the Maine Business School. In addition to maintaining her high GPA, Emily has been an undergraduate teaching assistant in economics courses and a tutor for accounting classes and student athletes. She is currently treasurer of both the Asian Student Association and the Student Heritage Alliance Council. The College of Natural Sciences, Forestry, and Agriculture is pleased to recognize her as the Outstanding International Student for 2012.

Wallace C. and Janet S. Dunham Prize—2012

This year’s Wallace C. and Janet S. Dunham Prize for the College of Natural Sciences, Forestry, and Agriculture is awarded to Jorge Adarraga from Union City, New Jersey, an animal & veterinary sciences major. In addition to his animal and veterinary sciences degree, Jorge is about to complete requirements for a second degree—a double major in biochemistry and molecular and cellular biology. While at UMaine, Jorge has worked in the Maine Animal Health Lab, attending to the daily care of the research animals and assisting with animal diagnostics work. His supervisor is impressed with his compassion for the animals in his care and his hunger to learn new skills. Jorge has been accepted to the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University.

Frank B. and Charles S. Bickford Prize—2012

Amanda Chaney, from Searsport, Maine, is this year’s winner of the Frank B. and Charles S. Bickford Prize in the College of Natural Sciences, Forestry, and Agriculture. Amanda is an animal and veterinary sciences major in the pre-veterinary concentration, with a GPA of 3.9. According to her advisor, Amanda combines an incredible aptitude for science and strong interest in veterinary medicine with a remarkable drive and focus. In addition to excelling in her courses, Amanda has volunteered hundreds of hours working with local veterinarians. She has been active in the Waldo County Riding and Driving Club and shared her love of horseback riding by giving free riding lessons to disadvantaged youths in the Searsport area. Amanda is an outgoing, dependable, and confident young woman who has been accepted to three veterinary schools: University of Pennsylvania, University of Prince Edward Island, and Iowa State University.

NSFA Outstanding Public Service Award—2012

Rob Lilieholm, 2012 Outstanding Public Service Award

Robert J. Lilieholm, E.L. Giddings Associate Professor of Forest Policy
School of Forest Resources

Rob Lilieholm’s primary focus is on forest economics and policy, important areas in the most heavily forested state in the nation. His commitment to public service runs deep and is obvious from even a quick look at his activities. Since coming to UMaine in 2006, Rob has worked to develop and promote the “Wildlands and Woodlands” vision for New England. He coauthored the Wildlands and Woodlands New England report, which has been received favorable coverage in publications such as the New York Times and Boston Globe. He has also been actively involved in the Acadian Internship program, a public-service-oriented training and internship program. Rob spends much time engaging with policymakers at local, state, and federal levels. He served on the Keeping Maine’s Forest-based Economy Steering Committee, where his common-sense approach helped the diverse group reach consensus. In addition to many presentations to researchers, stakeholder groups, and the general public, Rob serves on the boards of several environmental organizations in the region. Along with his expertise and enthusiasm, the people Rob interacts with appreciate his collaborative spirit and unwavering respect for different perspectives. Clearly, Rob Lilieholm epitomizes the public-service mission of the University of Maine, and the college is pleased to award him the 2012 Outstanding Public Service Award.

NSFA Outstanding Research Award—2012

Michael Kinnison, 2012 Outstanding Research Award

Michael Kinnison, Professor
School of Biology & Ecology

Michael Kinnison has developed an extraordinarily successful research program in two general areas: the causes and consequences of rapid evolution, and the conservation of freshwater fishes. He is internationally recognized for his contributions to the discipline of evolutionary biology through his research on how organisms evolve in modern times in response to natural and human pressures. More recently, he has expanded this work to establish a new field that considers the consequences of such evolution for ecological processes in general, as well as for applied applications in human health, food security, and the environment. In the words of one of his peers, “Michael Kinnison is, quite simply, a paradigm changer….he has fundamentally changed the way we view evolution.” At the same time, he is well respected within the state of Maine for his applied research on conservation and restoration efforts for threatened and endangered fish species. Since receiving his Ph.D. in 1999, Mike has published numerous highly cited journal articles, commentaries, books and book chapters. Since coming to Maine, he has shown tremendous successes in funding his research program, bringing more than $3.5 million to the university. His successful research program spills over into his teaching where he provides excellent opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students to begin their own research careers. Mike is known for his immense enthusiasm for science. It is due to this enthusiasm, commitment, and innovation that the college is pleased to award Michael Kinnison the 2012 Outstanding Research Award.

NSFA Outstanding Teaching Award—2012

Ann Sossong, 2012 Outstanding Teaching Award

Ann Sossong, Associate Professor
School of Nursing

Ann Sossong believes it’s her role as a teacher to promote the personal and professional growth of her students. And she does this by providing opportunities for them to assume responsibilities and expand their knowledge and competence in their clinical practice. The knowledge and confidence that students gain ease their transition from student to practicing nurse. In her courses, Ann uses multiple teaching strategies including case studies, guest speakers, group work, and writing assignments about patient-centered care. Her depth and breadth of nursing knowledge provides a framework for her to revise foundational courses, which has lead to better student outcomes in these classes. Beyond her role as teacher, she is a strong advocate for professional educational opportunities for students, encouraging students to revive the student nurses association and to move from local engagement to national participation in the National Student Nurses Association. Although students find her classes challenging, they deeply appreciate Ann’s compassion and enthusiasm. In the words of one of her students, “I will take her lessons with me to every hospital, unit, and patient….I will strive to carry myself with grace, as she does, and to be the most aware nurse that I can be.” The college is delighted to award Ann Sossong the 2012 Outstanding Teaching Award.

NSFA Agriculture Award

Ellen Mallory

Ellen Mallory, Assistant Professor of Sustainable Agriculture
Department of Plant, Soil & Environmental Sciences

With a joint appointment in the Department of Plant, Soil & Environmental Sciences and UMaine Cooperative Extension, Ellen Mallory contributes to Maine agriculture through her vibrant research and extension program focused on local foods and soil quality. Her work on local bread wheat production gained national attention when the deputy secretary of agriculture recognized the project for involving stakeholders, integrating research and extension, and revitalizing local food systems. Ellen’s soil quality work—which focuses mainly on potato and wild blueberry—is investigating how farmers can best manage biologically based sources of fertility. Because of her extension component, Ellen is directly engaged with Maine growers: she has developed peer-to-peer exchanges, led numerous workshops, and created videos, fact sheets, reports, and web sites. Maine’s growers and food entrepreneurs recognize the value of Ellen’s service to the state as these words from a grower involved in the bread wheat project show: “She has been able to juggle the needs and interests of a broad range of industry participants and … has fostered a camaraderie and helped build bonds that will extend well beyond the life of the project. The college is proud to recognize Ellen’s outstanding service to Maine agriculture by awarding her the 2012 NSFA Agriculture Award.

G. Peirce and Florence Pitts-Webber Award for Outstanding Research in Forest Resources—2012

Douglas Gardner

Douglas J. Gardner, Professor of Wood Science
School of Forest Resources

Doug Gardner’s research efforts focus on two main areas: cellulosic nancomposites and wood-plastic composites. In addition to serving in the School of Forest Resources, Doug is a research scientist at the AEWC and participates in the Forest Bioproducts Research Institute. During the past five years he has coauthored 22 refereed journal articles. He is also the author of three successful patents and one pending patent application. Since coming to UMaine, Doug has been PI or co-PI of grants totaling more than $3 million, an annual average of nearly $600,000. He is internationally recognized as an expert in his field and routinely asked to provide keynote presentations at conferences. On top of this, Doug is a strong mentor to his graduate students, preparing them for successful and productive careers. This outstanding level of productivity in an area with potential significant economic benefit to the state makes Douglas Gardner an ideal candidate for the G. Peirce and Florence Pitts-Webber Award for Outstanding Research in Forest Resources.

G. Peirce and Florence Pitts-Webber Award for Outstanding Forestry Teaching—2012

Aaron Weiskittel

Aaron Weiskittel, Assistant Professor of Forest Biometrics and Modeling
School of Forest Resources

Although Aaron Weiskittel has only a 20% teaching appointment, it is clear that his role as an educator is important to him and the school. Aaron used knowledge he gained from UMaine’s Center for Teaching Excellence workshops to completely revise his Advance Forest Measurement course. The class is now structured so that students have to become proficient in processing and analyzing the data they collect in the field, and students are mastering skills they will use regularly in their professional careers. Aaron also offers independent study options every semester on topics such as forest sampling and statistics and statistical modeling. His students appreciate his ability to condense complex and abstract concepts into more accessible language and examples. As one student put it: “As someone who generally hates math, I was amazed that Aaron was successful at making statistics (dare I say) exciting!” Aaron students also remark on his patience in working with them one on one after class and even beyond regular office hours. Because of his commitment to his students and his creativity in developing new ways to communicate complex subject matters, Aaron Weiskittel deserves this year’s Outstanding Forestry Teaching Award.

As part of its Noontime Seminar Series, the School of Forest Resources will present a talk by Rick Morril, of the Baxter State Park – SFMA:

“Thirty Years of Scientific Forest Management: Past approaches and future directions in Baxter State Park”

Date: Friday, April 20th
Time: 12:00 p.m.
Place: 204 Nutting Hall