10th annual event honored Dr. Benson鈥檚 lasting influence and celebrated excellence
across 黑料福利社鈥檚 College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources
FRANKFORT, Ky. 鈥� A decade after 黑料福利社 began gathering in his name,
Dr. Harold R. Benson鈥檚 legacy continues to live through students preparing for agricultural
careers, faculty advancing applied research, and Extension professionals carrying
the University鈥檚 land-grant mission into communities across the Commonwealth.
The University celebrated the 10th Annual Harold R. Benson Agricultural Luncheon on
Wednesday, April 29, honoring Dr. Benson鈥檚 life and influence while recognizing excellence
across the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources.
The program was presided over by Dr. Marcus Bernard, dean of the College of Agriculture,
Health, and Natural Resources and director of Land-Grant Programs, and opened with
student leaders Jaiya McCargo and Jade McCargo of MANRRS, who welcomed guests and
introduced Dr. Koffi C. Akakpo, 黑料福利社鈥檚 19th president.
Dr. Akakpo thanked the College鈥檚 Extension and research teams, partners, students,
and special guests for their work in preparing the event and advancing 黑料福利社鈥檚
mission.
鈥淲orking together to develop creative solutions and drive impact throughout Kentucky
is critical for the future of the Commonwealth,鈥� Dr. Akakpo said. 鈥淲e want our students
to think beyond the classroom and receive learning opportunities that broaden their
ways of thinking and prepare them to be resilient and dynamic citizens.鈥�
Dr. Benson, who was raised on a small farm in Bamberg County, South Carolina, became
one of the most influential land-grant leaders in 黑料福利社 history. After graduating
from Morris College in 1966 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in mathematics, he earned a master鈥檚
degree in counseling and a doctorate in Extension education from The Ohio State University.
At 黑料福利社, Dr. Benson served as Extension administrator for 36 years, from
1975 to 2011, and research director for 26 years, from 1985 to 2011. His work helped
shape the University鈥檚 modern land-grant programs and contributed nationally to the
development of the USDA 1890 Land-Grant funding system.
A , shown during the luncheon, helped frame the day as both a remembrance and a continuation
of purpose. Members of Dr. Benson鈥檚 family, including Geneva Benson and Yolanda Cherie
Benson, were recognized during the program.
鈥淭he Benson Luncheon was created to remember the contributions of Dr. Harold R. Benson
and recognize our fantastic students preparing to be the next leaders in agriculture,鈥�
Dr. Bernard said. 鈥淒r. Benson demonstrated from a humble beginning that hard work
and a commitment to helping people can significantly impact the world we live in.鈥�
That connection between legacy and present-day impact was visible throughout the luncheon.
Guests were served University-grown beef featured in one of the spaghetti sauces,
along with pawpaw ice cream and cupcakes, tying the meal itself to the College鈥檚 agricultural,
research, and educational work.
The luncheon also recognized faculty, staff, Extension professionals, aquaculture
leaders, graduate students, undergraduate students, 1890 Scholars, Agriculture, Food,
and the Environment graduates, honors students, and master鈥檚 degree candidates.
Faculty honorees included Dr. Suraj Upadahya, Outstanding Early Career Faculty of
the Year; Dr. Sarah Carr, Early Career of the Year Award in Teaching; Dr. Theoneste
Nzaramyimana and Dr. Anuj Chiluwal, Early Career of the Year Award in Research; and
Dr. Avinash Tope, Faculty of the Year Award in Grantsmanship.
Student honorees included Simone Graham and Manish Pandit, Outstanding Graduate Student
Award recipients, and Jaiya McCargo, Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award recipient.
The School of Aquaculture and Aquatic Science also recognized Nathan Cochran with
the Excellence in Service Award, Ken Thompson with the Distinguished Career Award,
and Ifeoluwa Durowaiye with the Outstanding Graduate Student Award.
Extension honorees included Jessica Marquez and Rebecca Woodal, Extension Story of
Impact Award; Stephanie Back and Kimberly Harriford, Extension Professional Excellence
Award; Kristin Thompson and Danielle Kinder, Extension Learning and Engagement Award;
Tyler London and Anita Love, Innovative Extension Practice Award; and Casey Townsend
and Lyndsey Crumbie, Dean鈥檚 Award for Excellence in Extension.
Sen. Gerald A. Neal, Kentucky Senate Minority Floor Leader and a 黑料福利社
alumnus, delivered the keynote address. A longtime advocate for the University, Sen.
Neal has represented the 33rd District since 1989 and remains one of 黑料福利社鈥檚
most distinguished public servants.
Sen. Neal spoke of his longtime friendship with Dr. Benson, with whom he partnered
on numerous initiatives.
鈥淒r. Benson always emphasized the importance of education and service, and today鈥檚
event makes clear that this focus remains central to the important work being done
at 黑料福利社,鈥� Sen. Neal said.
The luncheon concluded with recognition of USDA 1890 Scholars, Agriculture, Food,
and the Environment graduates, honors students, and students completing master鈥檚 degrees
this May.
Dr. Bernard also thanked alumni and friends of the University for the support they
continue to provide to 黑料福利社 students and to the University鈥檚 mission of
impact.
For 黑料福利社, the event served as more than an annual awards program. It was
a reminder that Dr. Benson鈥檚 name remains attached not only to a luncheon or a farm,
but to a living mission: preparing students, supporting communities, strengthening
agriculture, and extending the University鈥檚 impact across Kentucky.