Animal Sciences Distinguished Alumni Awards
Source: https://ag.purdue.edu/department/ansc/ansc-distinguished-alumni-awards.html Parent: https://ag.purdue.edu/department/ansc/scholarships.html
Nominations for the 2026 Animal Sciences Distinguished Alumni Awards are now closed. Award recipients will be recognized at the awards reception on May 1, 2026.
\
Criteria for Selection
Nominees will have earned a B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. degree in Animal Sciences from Purdue University. Nominations for the three Distinguished Alumni Awards will be based on years since receiving their first degree from the department and will include Early Career (2009-2019), Mid-Career(1993-2008), and Lifetime Award (1992 and before).
The nomination packet must include a completed nomination form, the nominee's vita or resume, and a one-paged typed letter of nomination. Evaluation criteria is based on evidence of leadership, commitment to community service outside of professional career and professional career activities.
For more information
Please contact Marion Welsh (welsh@purdue.edu or 765-494-4808)
2025 awardees
The Purdue University Department of Animal Sciences honors three alumni with the 2025 Distinguished Animal Sciences Alumni Awards, recognizing their impact on animal agriculture and veterinary medicine. Dr. Bret Marsh receives the Lifetime Award, Eric Sheiss earns the Mid-Career Award and Nicholas Tharp is recognized with the Early Career Award.
From left to right: Department Head Paul Ebner, Nicholas Tharp, Eric Sheiss and Bret Marsh, DVM
PREVIOUS WINNERS
2022 - 2026
*2025*Lifetime: Bret Marsh, DVM\ Mid-Career: Eric Sheiss\ Early: Nicholas Tharp
2025 Animal Sciences Distinguished Alumni Awards
*2024*Lifetime: Dr. Mark Diekman and Mark Legan\ Mid-Career: Jim Bishop\ Early: Bailey Graham, Zach Tucker and Dr. Kelli Werling
2024 Animal Sciences Distinguished Alumni Awards
*2023*Lifetime: Gerald "Jerry" Nickel\ Mid-Career: Brian Bowker\ Early: Jolena Waddell
*2022*Lifetime: Paul Brennan, Dr. Kenneth Cummings and Dr. Todd Winters\ Mid-Career: Laurene Lonnemann, Dr. Jim Reecy and Dr. Noel Williams\ Early: Nicole Roberts
2017 - 2021
2021- awards suspended due to COVID-19
*2020*Lifetime: Dr. Mark Hilton and David Nichols\ Mid-Career: Jeff Leininger, Dr. Penny Riggs, and Jody Roth\ Early: Amanda Minton
*2019*Lifetime: Tom Gillespie and Russell Hardin\ Mid-Career: Mark Brubaker, Anna Dilger and Ryan Dilger\ Early: Pam Boocher
*2018*Lifetime: Dennis Marple\ Mid-Career: Ryan Millett, Christie Bielinski\ Early: Danielle Hunt, Woody Nichols
\ 2017
2012 - 2016
*2016*Lifetime: Charles & Margaret Carter, Tom Troxel\ Mid-Career: Rebecca Schroeder\ Early: Josh Crabb, Rachel Cumberbatch
2015\ Lifetime: Ross Jabaay, Ronald Randel \ Mid-Career: John Eggert, Janet Lynch-Rippe\ Early: Janelle Deatsman, Sarah Wagler
2014\ Lifetime: John Cleland, Max Judge\ Mid-Career: Terry Hayhurst, Ron Scott\ Early: Stacy Herr, Darryl Ragland
2013\ Lifetime: Erick Metzger, Larry Miller\ Mid-Career: Maurice Eastridge, Byron Ernest\ Early: Thomas Weber
2012\ Lifetime: Bud Harmon, Steve Nichols\ Mid-Career: Jack Odle, Andy McVay\ Early: Orville Haney, Liane Hart
2007 - 2011
*2011*Lifetime: Gene Eisen, Don Gentry, Stanley Poe\ Mid-Career: Dale Griffin, Greg Inskeep\ Early: Amy Kelsey
2010\ Lifetime: Timothy Blosser, Howard Unger\ Mid-Career: Jeffrey Veenhuizen, Geoffrey Waldbieser\ Early: David Hardin, Heather Hill
2009\ Lifetime: Bill Baumgardt, Lawrence Muller\ Mid-Career: Patricia Houghton, Kirk Klasing\ Early: Bradley Lawrence, Matt Wilson
2008\ Lifetime: Eddie Creighton, Wayne Perry, Jesse Shively\ Mid-Career: Malcolm DeKryger, Alan Mathew\ Early: Peter Hanebutt
2007\ Lifetime: Bob Cherry, Martin Stob, Bob Totusek\ Mid-Career: Chris Knight, Jerry Malayer\ Early: Scott Thompson
2002 - 2006
*2006*Lifetime: Joe Pearson, Walt Waitt\ Mid-Career: John Madia\ Early: Jody Roth
2005\ Lifetime: Hobe Jones, Bob Peterson, Mauri Williamson\ Mid-Career: Terry Fleck, Angela Siemens\ Early: Barbara Lintzenich
2004\ Lifetime: Frank Clark, Thomas Means, George Thrasher\ Mid-Career: Roy Riggs, Gary Weber\ Early: Christie Chavis, Brian Demos
2003\ Lifetime: Robert Book, Gary Cromwell\ Early: Todd Ripberger, Kristen Whittington
2002\ Jeff Luckman