Texas A&M AgriLife faculty selected for high-level campus awards

Three Texas A&M AgriLife faculty/staff members received high-level campus awards presented recently by Texas A&M University and The Association of Former Students.

Both the President’s Meritorious Service Awards and the Distinguish Achievement Awards are given to faculty and staff who exhibit the highest level of standards for excellence at Texas A&M. In all, 25 individual staff members, two supervisors and two teams were selected for their meritorious service to Texas A&M. Each individual recipient receives a $1,000 award, a commemorative plaque and lapel pin.

“We are proud of each of these faculty and staff members for receiving these prestigious awards honoring their tremendous efforts and exemplary service on behalf of Texas A&M University and Texas A&M AgriLife,” said Patrick J. Stover, Ph.D., vice chancellor of Texas A&M AgriLife, dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and director of Texas A&M AgriLife Research. 

President’s Meritorious Service Award

Clarice Fulton, graduate program coordinator in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications, was selected as a 2021 President’s Meritorious Service Award recipient. According to a nominating colleague, Fulton’s work ethic and commitment to student success is unparalleled and she is an example for each of the Aggie Core Values.

Fulton works closely with the associate department head and with graduate students to ensure courses and students are prepared for each semester.

According to the nomination, she works tirelessly on behalf of graduate students, spread around the globe and time zones from Australia to Kenya. 

“Her student-centered approach to solving complex problems serves distance graduate students well,” the nomination read.

Distinguished Achievement Award

Two faculty were awarded 2021 Distinguished Achievement awards given by Texas A&M and The Association of Former Students:

• Larry Stein, Ph.D., Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service horticulture specialist in the Department of Horticultural Science, Uvalde, was honored for Extension, Outreach, Continuing Education and Professional Development.

• Jennifer Strong, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications, was honored for Teaching.

Stein is a longtime AgriLife Extension horticulture specialist who is universally recognized as a world-class authority in pecan production. His contributions through applied research and educational programming have kept Texas pecan growers competitive in the marketplace, according to the nomination.

“His love of horticulture, his desire to see people succeed in horticulture and his passion for teaching have all combined to make him one of the most successful AgriLife Extension people we know,” said an industry stakeholder who nominated Stein.

Strong consistently receives excellent course evaluations – 4.85, which is above her departmental and college average. She has been awarded seven teaching awards while at Texas A&M. Her innovative teaching methods draw from action research coupled with engaging seminars and workshops.

“Passion is the first word students and peers use to describe Dr. Jen inside the classroom,” said one student. “Her passion and knowledge of leadership theories are contagious.”