The College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CA&ES) extends a hearty welcome to all as it holds the 25th annual CA&ES College Celebration on Friday, Oct. 11, in Freeborn Hall at UC Davis.

The College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CA&ES) extends a hearty welcome to all as it holds the 25th annual CA&ES College Celebration on Friday, Oct. 11, in Freeborn Hall at UC Davis.

Seven individuals will receive the college’s Award of Distinction, the highest recognition presented by the college to people whose contributions and achievements have helped enhance our mission. The event gets under way at 5:30 p.m. with an awards ceremony, followed by a reception with great food, wine, and conversation from 6:30 to 8 p.m. At the end of the evening, attendees are invited to take home a bagful of farm-fresh goods from the Farmers Market display.

College Celebration is always a festive occasion. Come join us as we celebrate the accomplishments of our college and the seven honorees. Online registration is at  https://registration.ucdavis.edu/Item/Details/87. Tickets are $15.

This year’s CA&ES Award of Distinction recipients are:

• Willison “Will” Crites, an “Outstanding Alumnus,” is retired from a long career in the agricultural chemical industry. Crites graduated from UC Davis with a B.S. in 1958 and an M.S. in 1961, both degrees in entomology. He spearheads reunions with fellow entomology graduates and is a committed philanthropic supporter of UC Davis.
• Glenda Humiston, an “Outstanding Alumna,” is California director of the USDA’s Rural Development program. She graduated from UC Davis with an M.S. in international agricultural development in 1989. Humiston has devoted most of her professional life to advancing the principles of sustainability in policy development and program implementation.
• Robert “Bob” Curtis, a “Friend of the College,” is associate manager for agricultural affairs at the Almond Board of California. Curtis is an industry leader who has been instrumental in bringing crucial support for research advances and extension programs to improve production practices, safety and quality, and environmental stewardship.
• Janet Brown-Simmons, chief administrative officer for five academic departments in CA&ES, has earned the widespread respect of faculty and staff for her extraordinary leadership abilities. She is being honored as “Outstanding Staff.” Brown-Simmons became a UC Davis employee in 1993 and joined CA&ES in 2000 as the management services officer in the Department of Entomology.
• Kathryn “Kay” Dewey, distinguished professor in the Department of Nutrition, is being honored as “Outstanding Faculty.” Dewey has conducted research and led international efforts that have changed global policies for infant feeding and nutrition and the assessment of child growth.
• Neal Van Alfen is a professor of plant pathology who served as dean of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences for 13 years during some of its most challenging times. He is being honored with a special “College Leaders” Award of Distinction for outstanding contributions to the college.
• James “Jim” MacDonald is a professor emeritus of plant pathology who served as executive associate dean of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences for 13 years. He will receive a special “College Leaders” Award of Distinction for outstanding contributions to the college.

College Celebration photos from last year’s gathering can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151527925564974.550459.31489674973&type=1&l=4c9592a1ee. For additional information, please contact Carrie Cloud at (530) 204-7500 or crcloud@ucdavis.edu.
 

Media contact(s):

• John Stumbos, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, (530) 754-4979, jdstumbos@ucdavis.edu
• Ann Filmer, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, (530) 754-6788, afilmer@ucdavis.edu