At the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture Conference hosted by Montana State University in June, Jean Gleichsner, associate professor of agriculture, and Robert Stephenson, associate professor of agriculture, were recognized with a prestigious award.
In order to be recognized, the recipient must have held leadership positions and made an impact on the organization.
Ron Hanson, professor of agriculture at the University of Nebraska, nominated both Gleichsner and Stephenson.
“The award is chosen by the board members who are made up of the officers and the board,” Gleichsner said.”Individuals are nominated by different board members and then are asked provide information to support their nomination.”
Usually only one recipient is chosen, but Gleichsner and Stephenson received the award because they work closely together.
The award was presented to Gleichsner and Stephenson in honor of their distinguished and sustained leadership.
Having been members since 1994, Gleichsner and Stephenson have both maintained various positions throughout the organization.
Gleichsner has been the central region director, vice-president, and president of NACTA. She also served on the Teacher Recognition Committee, was chair from 1997 to 1999 and named Distinguished Educator in 2010.
Stephenson was also a member of the Teacher Recognition Committee for 19 years and served as a chair for 6 years. He served on the NACTA Journal Award Committee for two decades. Also, Stephenson was awarded the 1994 Teacher Fellow Award and the 1997 Central Regional Outstanding Teacher Award.
Both have made numerous poster and oral presentations on teaching as well.
“This organization has given us a great deal of ideas on how to improve our teaching and gives us strategies to use in the classroom,” Stephenson said. “It also provides multiple contacts in the industry to improve teaching in the classroom.”
Gleichsner and Stephenson are still on the Teacher Recognition Committee.
Gleichsner is the current Delta Tau Alpha Agriculture Honor Society Liaison for undergraduate programs and Stephenson is still on the Journal Award Committee.