NC State’s Office of Outreach and Engagement hosted its annual awards celebration on Friday, April 12. Twelve faculty and staff members were recognized for their commitment to teaching, research and public service. Vice Provost for Outreach and Engagement Leslie Boney, presented the awards, and Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Warwick Arden gave introductory remarks.

The awards honor the commitment of NC State faculty and staff members to fulfilling NC State’s land-grant mission alongside community partners. Awards presented included the Outstanding Extension and Outstanding Engagement Awards, the Alumni Award for Outstanding Extension Service, the Opal Mann Green Award, the Economic Development Partnership Award, the William L. Turner Award for Outstanding Contribution to Extension and Continuing Education, and the Customized Contractual Education Award of Excellence. Three faculty were also inducted into the Academy of Outstanding Faculty in Extension and Engagement.

The award winners are as follows:

Outstanding Extension and Outstanding Engagement Awards

• Mark Beasley, professor, Department of Accounting
• RaJade Berry-James, associate professor, School of Public and International Affairs
• Jeffrey Blessinger, extension specialist, Zeis Textiles Extension
• Kylie Foley, Rural Faith Communities Fellow, Institute for Emerging Issues
• Warren Jasper, professor, Department of Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Science
• Deborah Manzo, management systems and quality improvement specialist, Industry Expansion Solutions
• Lisa Marshall, director of outreach, retention and engagement, Department of Nuclear Engineering
• Celen Pasalar, assistant dean for research and extension, College of Design
• Louie Rivers, assistant professor, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources
• Stephen Terry, research assistant professor, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
• Jessica Thomas, director, Business Sustainability Collaborative
• Lindsay Zanno, assistant research professor, Department of Biological Sciences

Academy of Outstanding Faculty in Extension and Engagement

• Mark Beasley, professor, Department of Accounting
• Warren Jasper, professor, Department of Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Science
• Lindsay Zanno, assistant research professor, Department of Biological Sciences

Alumni Award for Outstanding Extension Service

• Lindsay Zanno, assistant research professor, Department of Biological Sciences

Opal Mann Green Award

• Community Food Strategies

Economic Development Partnership Award

• Danville Regional Foundation
• Mountain Area Workforce Development Board

William L. Turner Award for Outstanding Contribution to Extension and Continuing Education

• Chuck Korte

Customized Contractual Education Award of Excellence

• First Citizens Bank