Weed science honors given
Four faculty from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, have been honored by their colleagues through the Weed Science Society of America.
The awards were presented Jan. 22 at the joint meeting of the Weed Science Society of America and the Southern Weed Science Society at San Antonio.
Tom Barber, professor and extension weed scientist, was honored twice: as Outstanding Educator; and a WSSA Extension Award for Outstanding Service as an extension professional. Barber has a majority appointment within the Cooperative Extension Service and a research appointment with the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station.
Nilda Burgos, professor of weed physiology and molecular biology, was named a WSSA Fellow. Burgos has a majority appointment with the experiment station and a teaching appointment within Bumpers College.
Tommy Butts, associate professor and extension weed scientist, was named Outstanding Young Weed Scientist-academia. Butts has a majority appointment with extension service and a research appointment within the experiment station.
Distinguished Professor Jason Norsworthy, who is also Elms Farming Chair of Weed Science, was named a WSSA Fellow. Norsworthy has a majority research appointment with the experiment station and a teaching appointment within Bumpers.
The experiment station, the extension service and Bumpers College represent the land-grant research, extension and teaching missions respectively.
“The recent international recognition of our weed science faculty by the WSSA at their annual meeting showcases their hard work and dedication to Arkansas’ land-grant mission to serve
the stakeholders through teaching, research and extension,” said Trent Roberts, interim head of the crop, soil and environmental sciences department.
“The WSSA fellow awards received by Dr. Burgos and Dr. Norsworthy highlight their exceptional contribution to the discipline of weed science throughout their careers,” he said, “The Outstanding Educator and Outstanding Extension Service awards received by Dr. Barber highlight his dedication to conveying both applied and basic research to row crop producers across the MidSouth.
“Dr. Butts’ recognition as the Outstanding Young Weed Scientist in academia exemplifies his work ethic and ingenuity with many more years of meaningful impacts to come,” Roberts said. “Although these are individual awards, the overall success and influence of the Division of Agriculture’s weed science team is unmatched.”
Weed science students from the University of Arkansas also fared well.
Jared Smith took third place in the WSSA poster contest.
Summer Linn won the 15-minute oral presentation contest for SWSS.
Cole Woolard took second place in the SWSS 15-minute oral presentation.
Maria Souza won the SWSS poster competition and was second in the WSSA poster competition.
Tanner King won the single slide thesis category for SWSS and was second place in the same category for WSSA.
The United States Department of Agriculture defines weed science as the study of vegetation management in agricultural production systems, natural areas, and managed properties in residential and urban areas.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact a local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Mary Hightower is with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.