Did your chapter have an amazing philanthropy or professional development this past year? Do you have an extremely supportive alumni or super enthusiastic MC? If so, your chapter should apply for the recognition they deserve! The deadline for the following applications (*Document includes all award forms above that don't have a link) is May 31st, 2010. To find out about the awards, click here.
Outstanding Senior
Outstanding Leader
Outstanding New Member
Outstanding Public Service
Outstanding Sisterhood
Outstanding Professional Development Program
Cooperation in Ag
Advisor of the Year
Outstanding Alumni
Outstanding Alumni Chapter
Outstanding Chapter Website
Outstanding Chapter Scrapbook (due at National Convention)
Cash prizes are awarded to top three chapters in the award areas of professional development, sisterhood and public service. All award winners will be announced at the 2010 National Convention in Irving, Texas. Contact your National Chapter Contact if you have questions.
Please submit completed applications in triplicate to:
Sigma Alpha Sorority
c/o Kelly Jo Osentoski
2713 Ubly Rd.
Bad Axe, MI 48413
Agriculture Advocate Award Nominations Needed
Do you have a favorite professor? advisor? mentor? Are they a woman? Do they have a sincere interest in agriculture? If so, your chapter should nominate them for the Agriculture Advocate Award. Agriculture Advocate Award Applications are due December 1st, 2011.
2010 Agriculture Avocate Award Winners
Purpose of Agriculture Advocate Award: To honor women, who live by the objectives of Sigma Alpha, because they are promoting the next generation of women in agriculture by helping them to gain success through scholarship, leadership, and service. Across the nation, there were four women recognized at the SA/AGR Leadership Seminars for their outstanding contribution to agriculture congruent with Sigma Alpha's objective. Each leadership seminar awarded a woman with a clock in appreciation for her outstanding service to the agricultural industry. Congratulations to this year's recipients!
Kelly Wiseman
Presented in: Reno, NV
The 2010 Agriculture Advocate announced at the Reno Leadership Seminar was Kelly Wiseman. Kelly has been employed at the University of Wyoming for nine years, five of which have been in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Kelly is the Staff Assistant in the Office of Academic and Student Programs. Their office motto is “Students: The Reason We’re Here.” Kelly tries to instill this philosophy in her daily interactions with students. Her many duties include sharing information with students about employment, internship, and scholarship opportunities and helping students navigate the various processes and procedures necessary in academia. She assists student clubs and organizations with scheduling meeting space and notifying the student body about their meetings and events. One of the most rewarding parts of her job is being the scholarship coordinator for the college where she oversees the process of awarding over $350,000 annually to students. This experience gives her the opportunity to see just how incredible the student truly are. Kelly's goal is to try to make the students feel welcome and at home; many times it is as simple as a smile and a kind word. Upon her nomination to receive this award, Kelly was sincerely honored to receive the Sigma Alpha Agriculture Advocate Award. She stated that "My daily interaction with these amazing young women makes my work exciting and very rewarding. I am inspired by their work ethic, dedication towards their education, and their passion for agriculture." So tt is with great honor that we present Kelly Wiseman of the University of Wyoming with the prestigious Agriculture Advocate Award from Sigma Alpha Sorority.
Jane Hardisty
Presented in: Louisville, KY
The 2010 Agriculture Advocate announced at the Louisville Leadership Seminar was Jane Hardisty. Jane Hardisty has delivered soil and water conservation assistance to farmers since 1974, when she graduated from Ball State University and was hired by the Soil Conservation Service (SCS - now the Natural Resources Conservation Service). She was the first female soil conservationist in the agency in Indiana, and then proceeded in being the first female selected for a number of positions in the state as she ascended her career ladder. Ms. Hardisty has served as State Conservationist for USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Michigan (January 1997 to March 2000) and Indiana (March 2000 to present). As Indiana’s state conservationist she leads a 255-person workforce that delivers the agency’s Conservation Technical Assistance services and Farm Bill conservation incentives worth approximately $30 million a year to Hoosier farmers who are engaged in production agriculture. Ms. Hardisty has served on numerous national workgroups for NRCS and was selected to attend the White House Conference on Cooperative Conservation in 2005. Ball State University has honored Ms. Hardisty with the Natural Resources and Environmental Management Alumni Award of Achievement and the Distinguished Alumni Award. She was also recognized for “Distinction in Natural Resources Conservation” at the 2005 Indiana Women of Achievement Award ceremony at the University. She has been directly involved in establishing both statewide and agency-wide mentoring programs. And, she played a key role in establishing the NRCS Leadership Development Program in Indiana and on a nationwide scale. The Sigma Alpha National Sorority are proud of Jane's accomplishments and believe that she truly exemplifies what it means to be an advocate for agriculture.
Dr. Patricia Barber
Presented in: Philadelphia, PA
The 2010 Agriculture Advocate announced at the Philadelphia Leadership Seminar was Dr. Patricia Barber. Dr. Barber is an associate professor at the University of Delaware’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Dr. Barber is originally from Alabama. She completed her undergraduate degree there, her M.S. at Purdue University, and her doctorate at the University of Florida. Her area of specialization is personal financial management and educational leadership. The first thirty years of her career, she worked with Cooperative Extension as an educator and later as an administrator. She moved to Delaware in 1996 and began teaching part-time in the Agriculture Education program in 1998. After 30 years experience with Cooperative Extension, she retired from Extension and started teaching full time in the ag college. For the past 13 years, she has taught the agriculture education methods courses in the University of Delaware teacher certification program. She has been conducting leadership workshops and teaching leadership courses for the past 24 years. Dr. Barber was the original advisor for the Sigma Alpha organization at the University of Delaware and remains an advisor today. She is married with three children and four grandchildren.
National Sorority 2009 Awards
Founder's Cup
1. Beta Zeta
2. Alpha Chi
3. Alpha Theta
Emerald Chapters
Xi
Alpha Theta
Alpha Kappa
Alpha Chi
Beta Zeta
Beta Iota
Outstanding Professional Development
1. Alpha Omicron
2. Alpha Chi
3. Iota
Outstanding Public Service
1. Nu
2. Alpha Chi
3. Alpha Omicron
Outstanding Sisterhood
1. Alpha Chi
2. Alpha Omicron
3. Upsilon
Outstanding Advisor
1. Dr. Gerald Matteson, Beta Zeta
2. Jane Loudermilk, Alpha Chi
3. Donna Woudenberg, Alpha Delta
Outstanding New Member
1. Sami jo Freeman, Alpha Chi
2. Molly Stedfast, Pi
3. Kaitlin Weitekamp, Alpha Mu
Outstanding Leader
1. Andrea Steele, Alpha Mu
2. Sara Meagher, Beta Alpha
3. Robyn Scherer, Nu
Outstanding Senior
1. Jessica Smith, Alpha
2. Krista Brock, Alpha Chi
3. Shawna Kay Walker, Theta
Board's Choice - Dr. Gerald Matteson, Beta Zeta
Jennifer McMillan Community & University Cooperation in Agriculture - Alpha Omicron
National Alumni Association 2009 Awards
Most Improved Chapter Scholarship
1. Beta Epsilon
2. Beta Zeta
3. Psi
Outstanding Scholarship
1. Beta Iota
2. Alpha Omicron
3. Alpha Chi
National Alumni Association Scholarship
Collegiate – Chelsey Ahrens, Iota
Alumni – Lisa Campion, Michigan State University Alumni
Golden Mouse Award
1. Tau
2. Alpha Omicron
3. Nu
Outstanding Alumni
1. Jenna Genson, Ohio State University
2. Laura Lee McKellips, University of Tennesse - Martin
3. Not filled in 2009
Scrapbook Award
1. Iota
2. XX
3. XX
Most New Alumni Members Award
Not filled in 2009
Most Alumni Chapter Members at Convention Award
Purdue University Alumni Michigan State University Alumni
