USU Quinney College of Natural Resources Honors Top Scholars

Utah State University’s S.J. and Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources recognized outstanding students, faculty and staff at a March 28, 2015, awards banquet in the Stevenson Ballroom of the Taggart Student Center on campus.

“We’re proud of these outstanding scholars and applaud their achievements,” said Chris Luecke, QCNR dean.

Arthur Wallis, the college’s 2014-15 Student Senator, served as master of ceremonies for the event.

Jamie Reynolds is the college’s Scholar of the Year and Morgan Hughes is the college’s Valedictorian. Hughes has been selected by her peers to give the valedictory address at USU’s spring commencement ceremony.

Jason Brown was recognized as the Quinney College of Natural Resources Outstanding Senior, as well as Outstanding Senior for the Department of Wildland Resources. In addition, Brown was chosen by his classmates to receive the Jardine Juniper Award, an honor given to the student who has made the biggest impact on the college through student organization involvement.

Cameron Lawrence Nielsen, who served as the college’s 2013-14 Student Senator, was named Outstanding Senior for the Department of Environment and Society.

Colin Brady was recognized as the college’s Peak Prize Undergraduate Researcher of the Year and Konnon Smith was honored as the college’s Undergraduate Teaching Fellow of the Year.

Levi Simmons is the college’s nominee for the university’s Legacy of Utah State Award.  

Nicole Devanny received the Terri Lynn Steel Award and Seth Dettenmaier was honored with the Stokes-Leopold Scholar Award.

Blake Thomas was named Graduate Research Assistant of the Year and Erica Hansen was honored as Graduate Teaching Assistant of the Year.

Among the college’s faculty and staff, Chris Monz was honored as Researcher of the Year and Kari Veblen was named Teacher of the Year. Mike King is Advisor of the Year and Karen Beard was honored as Undergraduate Research Mentor of the Year. Geno Schupp received the College Faculty Service Award and Lana Barr was honored as Employee of the Year.

Quinney Scholars are undergraduates Patrick Adams, Sierra Allen, Dylan Anderson, Erin Butikofer, Mark Devey, Stephanie Hall, Margaret Hallerud, Anders Hart, Shandrea Hickok, Rylee Jensen, Brett Mossman, Kari Norman, Delaney Pharris, Jamie Reynolds, Olivia Schwanda, Heather Shipp, Jacob Stout, Joseph Tate, Casey Trout, Molly Van Engelenhoven, Audree Van Valkenburg, Cheyne Warren, Darianne Willey and Sarah Woodbury.

Quinney Fellows are graduate students Antra Boca, Colton Finch, Maureen Frank, Daniel Kinka, Michel Kohl, Eric LaMalfa, Gwendwr Meredith, Gracie Miller, Mitchel Donovan and Jarod Raithel.

Quinney Scholars and Fellows are recipients of scholarship and fellowship programs established by the S.J. and Jessie E. Quinney Foundation.

Numerous other scholarships and fellowships, many established by the college’s alumni, donors, faculty and staff, were awarded at the campus gathering. Recipients include Patrick Barrus, Mark Bell, Katelyn Boyer, CJay Butters, Joseph Cieslewicz, Naomi Clements, Carlee Coleman, Joseph Cooper, Joshua Copper, Sarah Cross, Kellie Crowley, Katelynn Curtis, Taylor Dudunake, Zachary Dustin, Adam Fisher, Jesse Fleri, Spencer George, Thomas Hafen, Nathan Harris, Lauren Holt, Benjamin Howell, Megan Jamison, Saul Karamesines, Matthew Meier, Samuel Nielsen, Tamara Olsen, Brianne Palmer, Hayley Parkinson, Hayley Rasmussen, Dakota Reed, Jordan Riley, Heather Shipp, Stephani Simandl, Levi Simmons, Sara Simmons, Eric Sodja, Kendra Stranger, Jacqueline Thelen, Bethany Unger, Molly Van Engelenhoven, Arthur Wallis, Camille Waters, Marc Wilson, Elizabeth Winters and Darrel Woodruff.

The Quinney College of Natural Resources includes the academic departments Environment and Society, Watershed Sciences and Wildland Resources.

Related link:

USU Quinney College of Natural Resources

Writer: Mary-Ann Muffoletto, 435-797-3517, maryann.muffoletto@usu.edu