The CALS Alumni Association and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences honor alumni of the college who have achieved recognized success in their businesses, professions, or other avocational endeavors; have been actively involved in, worked for, and demonstrated leadership on behalf of the college and Cornell University; and, have made significant contributions to the betterment of society through humanitarian and charitable endeavors.
Outstanding faculty and staff are also recognized for significant contributions in teaching, research, extension, or administration.
Awardees will be honored November 6, 2009, at a reception and dinner at the Statler Hotel. For more information on the 2009 Outstanding Alumni Awards, please contact the college at (607) 255-7651 or alsaa@cornell.edu.
View past recipients or submit nominations for the 2010 awards: Young Alumni, Outstanding Alumni, Outstanding Faculty/Staff
Blelyer retired in 2008 from the New Hampshire House of Representatives, serving since being elected in 2002, where she focused on environmental and disability issues. Before taking office, Bleyler worked as an environmental scientist with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from 1990 to 1997; and as a quality assurance chemist with Viar and Company from 1985 to 1990.
Curtiss is Director of the Center for Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology in the Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University, as well as Professor in the School of Life Sciences. In addition, Curtiss is the George William and Irene Koechig Freiberg Professor of Biology Emeritus, Washington University in St. Louis.
Eckhardt is co-owner of Capital Area Agricultural Consulting, Inc., with his wife, Heather, working with numerous clients in eastern New York and western New England. He is also president of Kinderhook Creek Farm, Inc.; a fresh market vegetable, field crop, and beef operation, which serves as a model for other growers in sustainable agriculture.
As the Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President of Averion International Corporation, a leading international clinical research organization specializing in oncology, cardiovascular diseases, and medical devices, Resnick directs pharmacovigilance reporting and medical monitoring, and has established clinical research centers in Asia and Europe.
An assessor for the Towns of Canton and Hammond, NY, Teele currently serves as President of the St. Lawrence County Assessors Association. He is a lifetime member of the CALS Alumni Association, serving both as president (1991-1992), and vice president (1989-1990). While president, he appointed a 20-member task force to study the position and determine the direction of the Alumni Association, which resulted in the organization’s first five-year plan.
A research & development manager at Frito-Lay, Inc., Dr. Licker has had a successful career as a food scientist product developer and now works on the team that develops the flavors and seasonings for the multi-billion dollar megabrands including Lays, Doritos, Cheetos, Fritos and Tostitos. Some of his recent teamwork includes Flat Earth veggie crisps and True North 100% natural nut snacks.
During his nearly forty years of teaching in Cornell’s Department of Communication, Earle developed many popular courses--such as COMM 301 and ALS 101--and incorporated current events into each lecture, making course material relevant. Retired in 2008. Earle presently works part-time for the Department of Communication and Department of Applied Economics & Management.
A professor in the Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering and Director of the Northeast Sun Grant Institute of Excellence, Walker joined the Cornell faculty in 1979 as an assistant professor with a research and extension appointment and began a dialogue with New York State farmers and other stakeholders on the role of agriculture as a provider of energy.