The College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) celebrated exceptional faculty, staff, and graduate students at the 2024 Paul A. Funk Recognition Awards banquet on Sept. 23 at Pear Tree Estate. Below is a list of award recipients who Dean Germán Bollero recognized during the ceremony. 

"We are truly honored to celebrate this year's Funk Award winners," Bollero said. "Their exceptional commitment to advancing research, education, and community service captures the essence of our college's mission. They inspire each of us to explore new frontiers, exemplify leadership, and uphold our profound land-grant tradition with renewed vigor and purpose."

This awards ceremony is made possible by generous support from the Funk family and the Paul A. Funk Foundation as well as other award donors. 

2024 Award Recipients

Paul A. Funk Recognition Award

• Kelly Swanson, Division of Nutritional Sciences and Animal Sciences

Spitze Land-Grant Professorial Career Excellence Award

• Yuanhui Zhang, Agricultural and Biological Engineering

Runge Faculty Distinguished Achievement Award

• Maria Cattai de Godoy, Division of Nutritional Sciences and Animal Sciences

Faculty Award for Global Impact

• Angela Lyons, Agricultural and Consumer Economics

Karl E. Gardner Outstanding Undergraduate Adviser Award

• Jill Craft, Food Science and Human Nutrition

Team Award for Excellence

• Illinois Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN)
  Josie Rudolphi, Agricultural and Biological Engineering
  Courtney Cuthbertson, Human Development and Family Studies and Illinois Extension
  Stephanie Acevedo, Agricultural and Biological Engineering
  Kacie Hulshof, Agricultural and Biological Engineering 
  Leslie Myrick, Office of International Programs
  Cheri Burcham, Illinois Extension
  Shelby Carlson, Illinois Extension
  Tessa Hobbs-Curley, Illinois Extension
  Robin Ridgley, Illinois Extension
  Emily Schoenfelder, Illinois Extension

Award for Excellence in Extension

• College
  Courtney Cuthbertson, Human Development and Family Studies and Illinois Extension

• Senior
  Phil Cardoso, Animal Sciences and Illinois Extension

Award for Excellence in Research

• College
  Carena van Riper, Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences

• Senior
  Cory Suski, Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences

Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching

• College
  William Ridley, Agricultural and Consumer Economics

• Senior
  Anna Dilger, Animal Sciences

John Clyde and Henrietta Downey Spitler Teaching Award

• Amy Fischer, Animal Sciences and Illinois Extension

Specialized Faculty Teaching Award

• Craig Lemoine, Agricultural and Consumer Economics

Professional Staff Award for Excellence

• Administrative/Management or Technical Contributions
  Kelly Sullan, Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences

• Advising, Teaching and Outreach
  Beth Conerty, Agricultural and Biological Engineering

• Sustained Excellence in Research
  Darin Joos, Crop Sciences

• Innovation/Creativity
  Lauren Quinn, Office of Marketing Communications 

Marcella M. Nance Staff Award

• Jennifer Black, Crop Sciences

Staff Award for Excellence

• Megan Davis, Office of the Dean

• Melinda Schaefer, Office of Academic Programs

Graduate Student Research Awards

• M.S.: Natalia dos Santos Fanelli, Animal Sciences

• Ph.D.: Guanying (Bianca) Xu, Food Science and Human Nutrition

Louis V. Logeman Graduate Student Teaching Award

• Sarah Castle, Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences

• Yifan Hu, Human Development and Family Studies