College of Agriculture Alumni and Faculty Awards
Each year the K-State College of Agriculture recognizes exceptional alumni and faculty who have demonstrated commitment and leadership, distinction to themselves, their profession, the K-State College of Agriculture and Kansas State University. These awards honor living alumni and faculty who personify the College of Agriculture's tradition of excellence.
2025 Award Winners
2025 K-State College of Agriculture Presents Awards to Alumni and Faculty
Each year, the Kansas State University College of Agriculture recognizes exceptional alumni and faculty who have demonstrated commitment, leadership and distinction to themselves, their profession, the Kansas State University College of Agriculture and Kansas State University. This year's awards were presented during the 2025 College of Agriculture Alumni & Friends Reunion.
This year’s 2025 Distinguished Alumnus Award winner is Lance Rezac. Lance Rezac has represented K-State and Kansas agriculture around the world.
This year’s Outstanding Young Alumnus Award winner is Josh Roe. Since is graduation from K-State with his bachelor's degree in Agricultural Economics, Josh has been engaged in helping farmers and agriculture companies throughout his career.
This year's recipient of the 2025 David Mugler Outstanding Teaching Award is Dr. Gaea Hock with Agricultural Education. Dr. Hock was also a K-State graudate with her bachelor's and master's degrees before earning her PhD at Texas Tech University.
Past Recipients
|
Year |
Distinguished Alumnus |
Young Alumnus |
Mugler Outstanding Teaching Award |
|
| 2024 | Robert Vander Zanden | Garrett Lister | Jason Bergtold | |
| 2023 | Randy Stoecker | Matthew Rouse | Joann Kouba | |
| 2022 | Bob Thaler | Josh Skow | David Grieger | |
| 2021 | G. Cliff Lamb | Jill Andrews | Cathie Lavis | |
| 2020 | Jerod Schlegel | Jill Casten | Karol Fike | |
| 2019 | David Nuttle | Justin Knopf | Christine Wilson | |
| 2018 | Charles Munson | Justin Kastner | Andy Barkley | |
| 2017 | Richard Felts | Mike Seyfert | Jeff Williams | |
| 2016 | Bob Broeckelman | Anne Hazlett | Shannon Washburn | |
| 2015 | David Holliday | John Niemann | Bryan Schurle | |
| 2014 | Bill Barr | Jackie McClaskey | Dave Krishock | |
| 2013 | Steve Hunt | Justin Gilpin | Greg Zolnerowich | |
| 2012 | Dale Rodman | Gregg Doud | Greg Davis | |
| 2011 | Adrian Polansky | Philip Kirk | Kevin Donnelly | |
| 2010 | Max Deets | John Stika | Keith Lynch | |
| 2009 | Sam Brownback | Michael Torrey | Steve Harbstreit | |
| 2008 | Rich Porter | Michael Doane | Arolo Biere | |
| 2007 | Loren Kruse | Melanie Mainquist | Michel Ransom | |
| 2006 | George Yapp | Andrew Murphy | Dave Nichols | |
| 2005 | Fred Merrill | Mark Gardiner | Melvin Hunt | |
| 2003 | Steven Larson | Danette King Amstein | Mike Boland | |
| 2002 | Chester Peterson, Jr. | Timothy Dodd |
|
|
| 2001 | Charles Imthurn | Steve Hunt | Steve Thien | |
| 2000 | David Mugler | Connie (Pelton) Kays | Richard Mattson | |
| 1999 | Roy Freeland | Lynn Rundel | Gerry Posler | |
| 1998 | Kenneth & Betty Goertzen | Mark Edelman | Miles McKee | |
| 1997 | John Brethour | Richard Heiniger | ||
| 1996 | Wilbur Levering | Tim Rose | ||
| 1995 | William Amstein | Patricia A. Clark | ||
| 1994 | Lawrence Morgan | Adrian Polansky | ||
| 1993 | J. Harold Johnson | Sam Brownback | ||
| 1992 | Fred Germann | |||
| 1991 | Roger Regnier | |||
| 1990 | Robert Wagner | |||
| 1989 | Harold Scanlon |
Award Details
Distinguished Alumnus Award
Criteria:
- 45 years of age or older, as of the date of award presentation, are eligible
- Outstanding career accomplishment in chosen field (to be based on overall career of nominee rather than any single activity or achievement)
- Contributions made to his/her community, state, and/or nation
- Humanitarian service to society rather than material success alone
- Service to the University, in particular the College of Agriculture, should receive consideration but is not mandatory
Outstanding Young Alumnus Award
Criteria:
- 45 years of age or younger, as of the date of award presentation
- Outstanding career accomplishment in chosen field (to be based on overall career of nominee rather than any single activity or achievement.)
- Contributions made to his/her community, state, and/or nation.
- Humanitarian service to society rather than material success alone.
- Service to the University, in particular the College of Agriculture, should receive consideration but is not mandatory.
David Mugler Outstanding Teaching Award
In 1999, the K-State University College of Agriculture Alumni Board of Directors established an annual award, the David Mugler Teaching Award, to recognize Dr. Mugler's many years of dedicated service to students in the K-State College of Agriculture. The individual nominated should emulate the personal and professional qualities demonstrated by Dave. He was an excellent teacher and advisor who modeled the statement, "They don't care what you know until they know you care."
Criteria:
- Teaching faculty within the K-State College of Agriculture
- Demonstrated dedication and caring for students both in and out of the classroom