The Distinguished Agricultural Alumni Award is presented by the School of Agriculture in April.This award was created in 1992 administered by the Office of the Dean of Agriculture. The selection committee is comprised of the Dean of Agriculture; four associate deans, twelve department heads and three unit directors.

Criteria:

• Nominees must have a degree from Purdue School of Agriculture
• Be mid-career
• Have made a significant contribution to his/her profession or society in general
• Have a record of outstanding accomplishments
• Exhibit high potential for future professional growth
• Still have goals to attain
• Current Ag employees and past recipients of Honorary Doctoral are not eligible for nomination

Agronomy recipients:

• 2011 - Vernon Hawkins
• 2005 - Scott Beck
• 2004 - Lee Schmidt
• 2002 - P. Stephen Baenziger
• 2001 - McArthur Floyd, Henry Shands
• 2000 - Ronald P. Cantrell, Sue A. Shadley
• 1997 - A. Bruce Maunder
• 1995 - Robert Eddleman, 0. William Mann
• 1993 - Ronald L. Phillips, Robert M. Schweikher, Leland House
• 1992 - Lawrence "Sonny" Beck, Robert K. Wichmann

In addition to the School's activities, the department hosts an informal pizza gathering for faculty and students to meet with the distinguished alum and a seminar or roundtable discussion is presented by the honoree(s).