CAHNR Celebrates Excellence in Teaching, Research, and Community Engagement

Members of the CAHNR community came together March 27, 2024 to recognize the contributions of distinguished alumni, faculty, students, staff, and supporters.

People listening to a man speak at a podium

Members of the CAHNR community came together March 27, 2024 to recognize the contributions of distinguished alumni, faculty, students, staff, and supporters (Jason Sheldon/UConn Photo)

At some point, you may get tired of me telling you that it was a “record year” for the College. I’m sorry to keep repeating myself, but it just keeps happening – you all are just doing too good a job,” joked Dean Indrajeet Chaubey at the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources’ (CAHNR) annual awards and honors celebration.

Members of the CAHNR community came together March 27, 2024 to recognize the contributions of distinguished alumni, faculty, students, staff, and supporters. As Dean Chaubey’s remarks underscored, the College again broke records in research success with $41.5 million in new awards. The College also saw growth in academic success and community engagement through UConn Extension programming.

Our faculty and students are tackling challenges that cross departments, cross species, and cross boundaries,” says Chaubey. “I want to congratulate everyone involved in the College’s success – faculty, staff, students, and partners – for this tremendous, collaborative accomplishment.”  

The event is co-hosted with the College Alumni Board (UCAHNRA) and the CAHNR Excellence Committee, and it provides an opportunity for current students, faculty, and staff to connect with alumni and dedicated volunteers. Award recipients are recognized for their contributions to the university’s tripartite mission areas, as well as CAHNR’s strategic vision and values in areas such as diversity, equity, and inclusion, and embracing UConn’s land grant mission.

UConn Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Anne D’Alleva, joined the event.

Each year as I attend this event, I continue to be impressed to learn about the amazing contributions of our students, faculty, staff and alumni who work tirelessly throughout the year in support of CAHNR and the University’s mission, ” D’Alleva says. “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all of tonight’s award recipients. Your remarkable achievements reflect the very best of what it means to be part of the University of Connecticut’s College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources.”

2024 Recipients

Early Career Research Award

  • James Knighton, Natural Resources and the Environment

Excellence in Research Award

  • Ashley Helton, Natural Resources and the Environment

Graduate Student Research and Creativity Award

  • Sandeep Poudel, Natural Resources and the Environment

Graduate Student Research and Creativity Award

  • Christopher Sullivan, Natural Resources and the Environment

Kinsman CAHNR Excellence in Teaching Award

  • Sudha Srinivasan ’14, Kinesiology

Graduate Student Teaching Award

  • Sarah Klionsky, Natural Resources and the Environment

Excellence in Engagement and Outreach Award

  • Rebecca Stearns ’08, ’12, Kinesiology

Excellence in Extension

  • Jennifer Cushman ’07, ’08, ’12, UConn 4-H

CES Grant for Innovative Programming in Extension

  • Mayra Rodríguez González, Extension

UConn 4-H Alumni Award

  • Elaine Pelizzari

UConn 4-H Leadership Award

  • Amanda Thomson

Meritorious Service to UConn 4-H Award

  • Windham County Agricultural Society

UCAHNRA Outstanding Staff Award

  • Camilla Crossgrove, Nutritional Sciences

UCAHNRA Excellence in Teaching Award

  • Stephanie Singe ’00, ’05, Kinesiology

UCAHNRA Distinguished Alumni Award

  • Linda Yamamoto  ’99, ’06, ’10, Kinesiology

Learn more about the recipients.

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