Gamma Sigma Delta Names Agriculture Presentation Contest Winners

Rosa Buescher

Six food science students placed in the top three of the eight different categories in Bumpers College's Gamma Sigma Delta student presentation contest.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The U of A Chapter of Gamma Sigma Delta, the Honor Society of Agriculture, has announced winners of the 19th annual Student Presentation Competition.

First, second and third place winners were selected in undergraduate, master's degree and doctoral degree sections in oral and poster divisions.

Oral Division

Ph.D.

• 1st – Ana Gonzales, food science
• 2nd – John Ridenour, plant pathology
• 3rd – Chris Meyer, crop, soil, and environmental sciences

Master's (Flight 1)

• 1st – Jacob Richburg, crop, soil, and environmental sciences
• 2nd – Hunter Bowman, crop, soil, and environmental sciences
• 3rd – Rebecca Bruce, food science

Master's (Flight 2)

• 1st – Michael Fogleman, crop, soil, and environmental sciences
• 2nd – Wagner Fagundes, plant pathology
• 3rd – Mason Castner, crop, soil, and environmental sciences

Undergraduate

• 1st – Robyn Mullow, crop, soil, and environmental sciences
• 2nd – Kona Swift, plant pathology

Poster Division

Ph.D.

• 1st - Wenqian Wang, poultry science
• 2nd - Maria Zaccaro, crop, soil, and environmental sciences
• 3rd - Jason Burgess-Conforti, crop, soil, and environmental sciences

Master's (Flight 1)

• 1st – Hannay Wright, crop, soil, and environmental sciences
• 2nd – Michael Houston, crop, soil, and environmental sciences
• 3rd – Bethany Sebesta, plant science

Master's (Flight 2)

• 1st – Danielle Ashley, food science
• 2nd – Inah Gu, food science
• 3rd – Matt Moore, crop, soil, and environmental sciences

Undergraduate

• 1st – Emily Wong, food science
• 2nd – Michiyo Nishiwaki, food science
• 3rd – Emily Vrbas, apparel merchandising and product development

The contest was held in March at the Pauline Whitaker Animal Science Center. Students submitted abstracts with a maximum of 250 words.

Kris Brye, professor of applied soil physics and pedology in the Department of Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences, is president.

The U of A Chapter was founded in 1955 and seeks the advancement of agriculture in all its phases, the maintenance and improvement of the relations of agriculture and related sciences to other industries and the recognition of the responsibilities of those engaged in all aspects of agriculture to humankind. GSD encourages high standards of scholarship and worthy achievements in all branches of agricultural and related sciences as well as a high degree of excellence in the practice of agricultural pursuits.

About the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences: Bumpers College provides life-changing opportunities to position and prepare graduates who will be leaders in the businesses associated with foods, family, the environment, agriculture, sustainability and human quality of life; and who will be first-choice candidates of employers looking for leaders, innovators, policy makers and entrepreneurs. The college is named for Dale Bumpers, former Arkansas governor and longtime U.S. senator who made the state prominent in national and international agriculture.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.