2017 College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Alumni Award Winners
Alumni of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) who have made significant contributions were honored recently at the 24th Annual Alumni and Friends Dinner held at the Davis Center at UVM on Saturday, May 13, 2017. The largest crowd in recent years included President Thomas Sullivan and his wife Leslie, current CALS seniors, recent graduates, as well as emeriti faculty and alumni spanning several decades.
The Robert O. Sinclair Cup
This award honors Dean Emeritus Robert O. Sinclair, also present at the dinner, and recognizes retired faculty and staff with professional accomplishments and distinction in their careers.
Lyn Jarvis
Lyn Jarvis is known as "Mr. Across the Fence", serving as the producer, director, and host of the show for 27 years, featured on WCAX-TV. Taping more than 7,000 shows, Lyn taught viewers throughout Vermont, neighboring states, and Quebec about agriculture, 4-H, consumer issues, and a host of other topics. Lyn earned a bachelor's degree from Emerson College in Boston before heading to the University of Alabama to pursue his Master's degree, and then moving to Vermont to pursue a career at WCAX-TV.
Neil Pelsue, Jr. '62
Neil Pelsue joined the Department of Community Development and Applied Economics (formerly known as Agriculture and Resource Economics) in 1976 as an Associate Professor. In 1984, he became Chair of the Department. He pursued a career in dairy education and was known as an Extension economist and milk marketing specialist. From 1995-2000, Neil served as Chair of Extension's Southern region. He taught eleven different courses and authored hundreds of articles, press releases, fact sheets and publications, retiring in 2003.
CALS New Achiever Award
Jennifer Colby, '94, G'12
The 2017 CALS New Achiever Award was presented to Jennifer "Jenn" Colby. Recognized for significant professional achievement in her young career, Jenn works for the Center for Sustainable Agriculture and has served as the Pasture Program Outreach Coordinator. Jenn, a graduate of the Animal Sciences and Environmental Studies programs in 1994, and completed her Master's Degree in Community Development and Applied Economics in 2012, she has also worked with the Vermont Farm to Plate Program's Production and Processing working group. In 2015, Jenn collaborated on a successful $874,000 grant application to clean up waterways entering the VT-NH watershed of the Connecticut River Valley. She holds 23 years of professional experience and 19 years of farming practice which she puts to work every day building a stronger Vermont agricultural community.
CALS Outstanding Alumni Award
Dr. John Partridge, '75, G'80
Dr. John Partridge graduated from UVM in 1975 with a B.S. degree in Dairy Technology, and a M.S. in Dairy Technology in 1980. After receiving his Ph.D. in Food Science from Michigan State University, Dr. Partridge worked at MSU as an Associate Professor and Dairy Foods Extension Specialist. He also continues to serve as the coach for the MSU Dairy Products Evaluation Team, a position held for the last 35 years. Dr. Partridge received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Allied Ice Cream and Dairy Foods Association of Michigan and Michigan State's Outstanding Extension Specialist Award. His research, teaching and student advising have prepared many students for a successful career in the dairy industry.
Dr. Hui Wu, PhD '99
Dr. Hui Wu has worked in microbiology research for 32 years and his work has been recognized around the world in the field of oral microbiology. He earned his Ph.D. from the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics in 1999, training in Dr. Fives-Taylor's lab. Dr. Wu worked as a postdoctoral research associate until 2004, when he was hired as Assistant Professor in the School of Dentistry at the University of Alabama, Birmingham (UAB). He received the UAB Graduate School Dean's Award for Excellence in Mentorship, and was promoted to full Professor in 2012. Dr Wu is at the frontier of microbiology of biofilms, and his findings have transcended oral health and have applications in the areas of infection control, medical devices, environmental microbiology, and other scientific fields.