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 and Dean Gillaspy.

CALS has four awards: Honorary Recognition Award, Distinguished Service Award, Distinguished Alumni Award, and Distinguished Recent Graduate award.

2024 Honorary Recognition Banquet and Ceremony

Thursday, October 10, 2024
5:00 p.m. reception, 6:00 p.m. dinner

Varsity Hall, Union South
1308 West Dayton Street, Madison, WI

Please RSVP by September 25, 2024 at go.wisc.edu/calsrecognition.

Parking is available in Lot 17 (1525 Engineering Drive) and Lot 20 (1390 University Avenue). See the campus map for more information.

2024 Awardees

2024 Honorary Recognition Award

Bill Bruins
Former Owner and Operator of Homeland Dairy LLP, Waupun, WI

Ann Palmenberg
Emeritus Professor, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Department of Biochemistry, Madison, WI

2024 Distinguished Alumni Award

Michael Finley
Assistant General Manager/Vice President Basketball Operations, Dallas Mavericks; President, Michael Finley Foundation, Dallas, TX

2024 Distinguished Recent Graduate Award

John Goeser
Director of Research and Innovation, Rock River Laboratory, Inc.; Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, La Farge, WI

Elle Grevstad
Director of Product Strategy, Exact Sciences, Madison, WI

Read more about our awardees in the 2024 Honorary Recognition press release.

About CALS

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.

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Preview Nomination Criteriaexpand_more

Nominee’s name (former name if applicable)
Nominee’s contact information
Nominee’s UW degree and year (if applicable)
Nominee’s degrees from other colleges/universities (if applicable)
Nominee’s occupation and title
Describe the nominee’s personal contributions to agriculture, natural resources, life sciences and/or related business and how their achievements and activities supported the state of Wisconsin and the mission of CALS (up to 500 words).
Describe how the nominee exemplifies outstanding and inspirational leadership, integrity and unselfish service and goes above and beyond his/her job duties in support of the Wisconsin Idea (up to 500 words).
Letters of support can help round out a nomination (but are not required). Up to two letters of support are permitted. Letters may be co-signed by supporters.

Nomination Formexpand_more

Honorary Recognition Online Nomination Form

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.

Expand All|Collapse All

Preview Nomination Criteriaexpand_more

Nominee name’s (former name if applicable)
Nominee’s contact information
Nominee’s UW degree and year
Nominee’s degrees from other colleges/universities (if applicable)
Nominee’s occupation and title
Describe the nominee’s outstanding achievements with specific respect to 1.) extraordinary contributions to the nominee’s chosen field OR 2.) an exemplary record of public service (up to 500 words).
Describe how the nominee has demonstrated loyalty (e.g. participates in events, donates to UW, and/or advocates on behalf of UW) to CALS and the University of Wisconsin (up to 500 words).
Letters of support can help round out a nomination (but are not required). Up to two letters of support are permitted. Letters may be co-signed by supporters.

Nomination Formexpand_more

Distinguished Alumni Online Nomination Form

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.

Expand All|Collapse All

Preview Nomination Criteriaexpand_more

Nominee’s name (former name if applicable)
Nominee’s contact information
Nominee’s UW degree and year (if applicable)
Nominee’s degrees from other colleges/universities (if applicable)
Nominee’s occupation and title
Describe the nominee’s contributions to the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and their professional achievements and activities in research, teaching, service and/or extension (up to 500 words).
Describe how the nominee’s personal contributions and service to the college went above and beyond regular job duties and supported the mission of CALS and the Wisconsin Idea (up to 500 words).
Letters of support can help round out a nomination (but are not required). Up to two letters of support are permitted. Letters may be co-signed by supporters.

Nomination Formexpand_more

Distinguished Service Online Nomination Form

Distinguished Recent Graduate Award

The Distinguished Recent Graduate recognizes a CALS graduate who earned their degree between 2004-2024 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

List of past recipients

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.