Apple, Smith Earn Bumpers College International Education Award; Faculty Receive Service Awards

Photo by Lacey Howard

Clinical associate professor Kathy Smith (left) and associate professor Laurie Apple (center) from the apparel merchandising and product development program received the International Education Award, which was presented by Assistant Dean Leslie Edgar.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Dean Mike Vayda presented service awards to faculty in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas at an awards ceremony at Fayetteville Country Club on Sept. 17.

Vayda also presented the college's second International Education Award to associate professor Laurie Apple and clinical associate professor Kathy Smith from the apparel merchandising and product development program in the School of Human Environmental Sciences. The award recognizes notable efforts to international programs and study abroad initiatives that increase the marketability of students to employers and graduate programs.

Apple and Smith have led study tours to China, Europe and other locations.

"Drs. Apple and Smith have worked to develop innovative study tours, study abroad opportunities, internships and academic collaborations with international partners," said Vayda. "The international study tours provide the global perspective needed to round out their program and their study tours should serve as a model for other academic programs."

Apple and Smith will receive $3,000 for future development of international opportunities.

Jeff Miller, professor in the Department of Agricultural Education, Communications and Technology, earned the inaugural International Education Award in 2014.

Faculty recognized for service awards included:

• 40-Year Award: Paul McLeod, professor, entomology
• 30-Year Award: Tim Kring, professor of entomology; Derrick Oosterhuis, distinguished professor of crop, soil, and environmental sciences; Rick Rorie, professor of animal science
• 20-Year Award: Jason Apple, professor of animal science
• 10-Year Award: Steven Ricke, the Donald "Buddy" Wray Chair in Food Safety and director of the Center for Food Safety in the Institute of Food Science and Engineering, Department of Food Science; and Rob Wiedenmann, professor of entomology

All honored faculty also hold research appointments in the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Vayda thanked all faculty members in the college for their work and dedication, and also recognized retired faculty members in attendance at the annual event.

About the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences: Bumpers College provides life-changing opportunities to position and prepare graduates who will be leaders in the businesses associated with foods, family, the environment, agriculture, sustainability and human quality of life; and who will be first-choice candidates of employers looking for leaders, innovators, policy makers and entrepreneurs. The college is named for Dale Bumpers, former Arkansas governor and longtime U.S. senator who made the state prominent in national and international agriculture.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.