The South Dakota State University College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences recognized students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters with annual awards during the CAFES Prexy Council Ag Week Banquet held April 15.
The event highlights achievements in agriculture education and service while strengthening community ties within the college. The awards ceremony introduced new honors for alumni and supporters this year alongside established recognitions for students, faculty and staff.
Gabi Joos, the 2026 CAFES Prexy Council Ag Week chair, said, “On behalf of Prexy Council, we are grateful for all of the students, alumni, faculty, staff and supporters who made this year’s Ag Week Banquet such a success. It was incredible to see our community gathered together, celebrating the traditions, connections and future of agriculture.”
Among those honored was Lisa Roker from the Department of Animal Science with the Walt McCarty Advising Award. Joel DeRouchey and Lloyd Metzger received the inaugural Distinguished Alumni Awards for their professional accomplishments in animal science and dairy food science respectively. Valley Queen Cheese received the first Friend of CAFES Award in recognition of its support to student scholarships, research initiatives and career development opportunities.
Phil Urso was named Teacher of the Year by student nomination for his commitment to academic excellence. Bev Cassady earned Club Adviser of the Year for her work with the Pre Vet Club. The Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow club was recognized as Club of the Year after increasing membership by 300% over twelve months.
Outstanding Student Awards were given across all class years including Hayley Daubert (Outstanding Senior), Abigail Morse (Outstanding Senior), Emma Bilka (Outstanding Junior), Bryce Haubenschild (Outstanding Sophomore) and Cortney Copeland (Outstanding Freshman). Kylie Mockler will serve as next year’s CAFES Advocate after being elected by her peers.
The SDSU College works to strengthen communities through sustainable changes in agriculture and natural resources according to its official website. The college includes facilities supporting teaching, research outreach efforts such as SDSU Extension programs according to its official website. It operates as part of South Dakota State University alongside entities like SDSU Extension and South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station according to its official website.
Representing SDSU’s largest unit by faculty size and space dedicated to education while ranking second in enrollment numbers according to its official website, CAFES has also been named 2025 North American Limousin Foundation Promoter of the Year according to its official website. The college aims to address agricultural challenges through research while fostering a learning environment that empowers positive change across communities according to its official website.
