IANR Awards and Recognition

Close-up of person holding an award.

The awards coordinated by the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources recognize faculty and staff members who advance the mission of the University in teaching, research, extension, and service.

We invite you to learn more about each award, past award recipients, and nomination information.

The Kudos Award nominations are accepted between February 1 -  May 1, 2024.

The Faculty Awards nominations are accepted between April 1 - August 1, 2025. The faculty awards include the Omtvedt Innovation Awards and Dinsdale Family Faculty Award.

The Staff Awards nominations are accepted between  July 1 - October 1, 2024. The staff awards include the Omtvedt Servant Leader, Exemplary Service, and Outstanding Employee awards.

For more information on the University-wide faculty awards coordinated by Central Administration (IDEA, ORCA, OTICA, UDTA), visit their recognition and awards website.

Staff Awards

Outstanding Employee Award

In recognition of an employee who goes above and beyond their job responsibilities

Mike Kamm
Mike Kamm
IANR Media
2022 OEA recipient
Marissa Kemp
Marissa Kemp
IANR Business Centers
2022 OEA recipient
Angie Rushman
Angie Rushman
Nebraska Extension
2022 OEA recipient
Nathan Thorson
Nathan Thorson
ENREC
2022 OEA recipient
Award: $750
Eligibility: Permanent IANR office/service or managerial/professional (.50 FTE or more). Employee cannot be on corrective probation. The OEA can be received once every 5 years.

Exemplary Service Award

In recognition of outstanding employees who maintain a high level of exemplary service to the university.

Shirley Sato
Shirley Sato
Center for Biotechnology
2022 Exemplary Service Award recipient
Award: $1000
Eligibility: Permanent IANR office/service or managerial/professional (.50 FTE or more) with 20 or more years of service to the university. Employee cannot be on corrective probation. Nominees should consistently demonstrate high-quality performance, project a commitment toward excellence in the quality of daily work, inspire a "teamwork attitude," contribute to high-staff morale, and use sound judgment in the exercise of duties.

Omtvedt Servant Leader Award

In recognition of outstanding employees who demonstrate servant leadership in a way that inspires collaboration and excellence, and elevates the performance of others.

Ryan Evans
Ryan Evans
Agricultural Economics
2023 Omtvedt Servant leader award recipient
Award: $1000
Eligibility: Full time IANR employees in office/service or managerial/professional roles. Employee cannot be on corrective probation.

The University of Nebraska Board of Regents Kudos Award

In recognition of outstanding service to the University of Nebraska

Scott Kurz
Scott Kurz
Animal Science
2021 KUDOS Award recipient
Award: $150
Eligibility: The Board of Regents recognizes full-time employees for outstanding service to the University of Nebraska. Only past IANR Outstanding Employee Award recipients are eligible for nomination.

Faculty Awards

Omtvedt Innovation Award

In recognition of innovative faculty members, or a team lead by faculty, in the areas of teaching, research and extension education

Brad Lubben
Brad Lubben
Agricultural Economics
2022 Omtvedt Innovation Award for Teaching recipient
Dave Aiken
Dave Aiken
Agricultural Economics
2022 Omtvedt Innovation Award for Extension recipient
Lilyan Fulginiti
Agricultural Economics
2022 Omtvedt Innovation Award for Research recipient
Cultivate ACCESS Team
Cultivate ACCESS Team
Representing the departments of Agronomy & Horticulture, Biological Systems Engineering and the CASNR’s Dean’s office
2022 Omtvedt Innovation Award for Team recipient
Award:$2500 (or $5000 per team)
Eligibility: IANR faculty, or a team lead by a faculty, who has demonstrated exceptional abilities and innovation in the areas of teaching, research, or extension education.

Dinsdale Family Faculty Award

In recognition of a meritorious faculty member for unique contribution in teaching, research, or extension education

Andrea Basche
Andrea Basche
Agronomy & Horticulture
2022 Dinsdale Award recipient
Award: $2000
Eligibility: Faculty member who has not yet been awarded tenure or who is not in a tenure track position; e.g. equivalent rank faculty, lecturers, extension educators, who have demonstrated unique contributions in teaching, research, or extension education.