2025 Honorary Recognition
Each year Dean Glenda Gillaspy and the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding and inspirational leadership, integrity and unselfish service, and are making significant contributions in the areas of agriculture, life sciences, natural resources and social science. These are the highest honors awarded by the college.
2025 Awardees
Distinguished Alumni Award
Bill Kennedy
Founder, Kennedy Communications
BS’72, Agricultural Journalism
Madison, WI
Tom Kennedy
Consultant, Veterinary Pharmaceutical Development
BS’68, Dairy Science, MS’73, PhD’75, Veterinary Science
Westport, WI
Distinguished Recent Graduate Award
Dantrell Cotton
Talent Management & Development Lead, Attentive Mobile
BS’14, Community and Environmental Sociology
New York, NY
Maya Warren
Founder, Ice Cream Scientist, Consultant, Producer, IC3 CRM LLC
PhD’15, Food Science
Los Angeles, CA
Event Details
The awards will be presented at the CALS Honorary Recognition Ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 30, in Memorial Union. The ceremony will have a new format this year. The award presentation will take place in Tripp Commons and is open to the public. After the presentation, an invite-only dinner for awardees and their guests will be held in the Old Madison Room.
Honorary Recognition Ceremony
Thursday, October 30, 2025
4:30 – 5:30 pm | Doors open at 4:00 pm
Memorial Union, UW–Madison
Tripp Commons
Please RSVP by Friday, October 10, 2025. Read more about our 2025 honorees.
About the Awards
Honorary Recognition Award
Recognizes individuals whose personal contributions, achievements, and activities to agriculture, natural resources, life sciences and/or related business have supported the state of Wisconsin and the mission of CALS. Award recipients should exemplify outstanding and inspirational leadership, integrity and unselfish service and go above and beyond their job duties in support of the Wisconsin Idea.
Distinguished Alumni Award
Recognizes CALS graduates with careers of outstanding achievement through extraordinary contributions to their chosen field or an exemplary record of public service. Award recipients should have a record of demonstrated loyalty (e.g. participating in events, donating to UW, and/or advocating on behalf of UW) to CALS and the University of Wisconsin.
Distinguished Service Award
Recognizes university faculty and staff members for contributions to the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and their professional achievements and activities in research, teaching, service and/or extension. Award recipients should have a record of personal contributions and service to the college that went above and beyond their regular job duties and supported the mission of CALS and the Wisconsin Idea.
Distinguished Recent Graduate Award
The Distinguished Recent Graduate recognizes a CALS graduate who earned their degree in the last 20 years with a career of outstanding achievement through extraordinary contributions to their chosen field or an exemplary record of public service. Graduates of all degree levels are eligible (BS, MS, and PhD.) Award recipients should have a record of personal contributions and service to the college that went above and beyond their regular job duties and supported the mission of CALS and the Wisconsin Idea.
History of the Awards
Honorary Recognition Award – Established in 1909, this award was championed by Dean Harry L. Russell and Wisconsin Governor William D. Hoard. This award honors individuals who have demonstrated outstanding and inspirational leadership, integrity and unselfish service, making significant contributions in the areas of agriculture, life sciences, natural resources and social science. Over the past 100 years, the college has saluted more than 500 individuals who have given both time and talent to improve the lives of many and enrich society for us all.
Distinguished Service Award – This award was established in 1994 in celebration of the college’s excellent faculty and staff. This award recognizes university faculty and staff members for exceptionally meritorious service to the college and university, to the citizens of Wisconsin, and to people around the nation and the world.
Distinguished Alumni Award – Introduced in 2009, this award recognizes a career of outstanding achievement through extraordinary contributions to one’s chosen field or an exemplary record of public service.
Distinguished Recent Graduate Award – Introduced in 2024, this award recognizes a CALS graduate (all degree levels are eligible) in the last 20 years with a career of outstanding achievement through extraordinary contributions to their field or public service.