May 8, 2024

SDSU reps recognized with FFA honorary degrees, distinguished service awards

By SDSU Staff

South Dakota State University leaders and faculty were among the honorees as the South Dakota FFA Honorary State Degrees and Distinguished Service Awards were presented at the 96th annual South Dakota State FFA Convention on April 19 in Brookings.

Among the Honorary State FFA Degree recipients was South Dakota State University President Barry Dunn, back row, third from right.

These awards recognize outstanding contributions in support of the South Dakota FFA, acknowledging that ag leaders and industry are key in developing future agriculture and community leaders. 

SDSU President Barry Dunn received an Honorary State FFA Degree.

The Honorary State FFA Degree recognizes individuals who are helping to advance agricultural education and the FFA organization and who have rendered outstanding service to the organization with their time, talents and treasures.

Distinguished Service Award recipients, shown with their plaques, from SDSU were honored at the 96th annual South Dakota State FFA Convention on April 19 in Brookings. — Distinguished Service Award recipients from SDSU were, back from left: representing the SDSU Meat Lab, Adam Rhody, SDSU Meat Lab manager; Rosie Nold, assistant department head and professor in the Department of Animal Science; Christina Bakker, assistant professor and SDSU Extension meat science specialist; and John Jaeger, head of the Department of Animal Science and professor. Front from left: Howard Bonnemann, lecturer in the Department of Dairy and Food Science; Joe and Nicole Klein, associate academic director and professor in the Ness School of Management and Economics; and Lon Moeller, professor of agricultural education emeritus. Not pictured is Mary Moeller, retired associate professor from the College of Education and Human Sciences.

The 2024 Distinguished Service Award recipients from SDSU are:

Howard Bonneman, lecturer in the Department of Dairy and Food Science
SDSU Meat Lab
Joe and Nicole Klein, associate academic director and professor in the Ness School of Management and Economics
Lon and Mary Moeller, professor of agricultural education emeritus and retired associate professor in the College of Education and Human Sciences

The Distinguished Service Award is presented to individuals and businesses who have taken action to advocate for agriculture education on the state and local level to ensure FFA members have the best experience within FFA.