Call for Honors and Awards Nomination

By Geri Hannah

The TPI Board of Trustees feels it is important to acknowledge individuals for their contributions to TPI and the turfgrass industry. If you know someone who deserves to be honored, you are encouraged to submit their name for consideration.

Watch for the easy-to-use award nominations form coming to you via email from TPI Headquarters or access it at the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/T3WGDLS. If you have questions or would prefer to submit a nomination via email or mail, please contact TPI Administrative Manager Geri Hannah at 847-649-5555 or ghannah@TurfGrassSod.org. Award nominations open on October 1, 2022. The deadline for submitting a recommendation is November 13, 2022. The honors and awards categories and the criteria for them follow.

HONORARY MEMBER

Outstanding contribution to the research, planting, growing, and marketing of turfgrass sod. (Need not be a current TPI member.) See the list of past recipients.

YEAR HONORARY MEMBER RECIPIENTS COMPANY

2022 John Addink A-G Sod Farms, Inc., Riverside, CA 2019 Dr. Richard White Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 2017 Ray Weekley (deceased 2022) 2016 Dr. John R. Hall III Professor Emeritus, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 2008 Dr. Harry D. Niemczyk (deceased 2020) 2006 Dr. Wayne Hanna University of Georgia, Tifton, GA 2005 Kenneth E. Dawson Rolawn Limited, York, N. Yorkshire, England Douglas Fender (deceased 2012) Ike Thomas Granbury, TX 2004 Doyle Jacklin Jacklin Land Company, Post Falls, ID Peter McMaugh Carlingford, NSW, Australia 2002 Dr. Glenn Burton (deceased 2005) Earl Nystrom (deceased 2012) Woodrow Wilson (deceased 2001) 2001 Dr. Wendell G. Matthews (deceased 2016) 1999 Dr. Paul Ricke Michigan State University, Lansing, MI 1992 Robert W. Garey (deceased 1995) Dr. Thomas L. Watschke (deceased 2020) 1987 Dr. C. Reed Funk, Jr. (deceased 2012) 1986 Dr. Richard W. Smiley Oregon State University, Pendleton, OR 1981 Dr. William Daniel (deceased 1995) 1979 Tobias Grether (deceased 1985) Gene Johanningsmeier (deceased 2011) Wiley Miner (deceased 1997) J.E. Ousley, Sr. (deceased 1982) Ben Warren (deceased 1992) 1976 Parker Shirling (deceased 1986) 1975 Dr. James B Beard (deceased 2018) 1973 Dr. Henry W. Indyk (deceased 2005)

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE

Outstanding devotion of time, talent, and energy to TPI, its programs and objectives for five or more years. (Need not be a current TPI member.) See the list of past recipients.

YEAR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE RECIPIENTS COMPANY

2017 Michelle Williams SiteOne Landscape Supply, Clinton, NJ 2016 Dr. Michael Kenna United States Golf Association, Stillwater, OK 2013 Don Heslop Biograss Sod Farm, Sandy, Utah 2012 Mike Blair Green Velvet Sod Farms, Bellbrook, OH 2008 David Doguet, Sr. Bladerunner Farms, Inc., Poteet, TX 2006 Louis and Ginger Brooking Brookmeade Sod Farm, Inc., Doswell, VA 2005 Randy L. Tischer Green Velvet Sod Farms, Bellbrook, OH 2004 Ben I. Copeland Patten Seed Co./Super Sod, Lakeland, GA

TURFGRASS INDUSTRY INNOVATION AWARD

Unique and significant achievement that advances turfgrass sod production through research, engineering, training, marketing, public relations, or environmental improvement, etc. (Must be a current TPI member.) See the list of past recipients.

YEAR TURFGRASS INNOVATION RECIPIENTS COMPANY

2017 Ken Ensor Quality Corporation, Denver, CO 2008 Dr. Doug Brede Jacklin Seed of the J.R. Simplot Co., Post Falls, ID 2006 Gary Dover Bucyrus Equipment Co., Inc., Hillsdale, KS 2005 Don, Mike & Gregg Tvetene Trebro Manufacturing, Inc., Billings, MT 2004 Gerry Brouwer Kesmac, Inc., Keswick, Ontario, Canada

TURFGRASS EDUCATOR AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

Outstanding contribution to the turfgrass industry in one or more of the following areas: academics, public outreach, involvement with turfgrass associations, turfgrass producers, suppliers, manufacturers, researchers, etc. (Need not be a current TPI member.) See the list of past recipients.

YEAR EDUCATOR EXCELLENCE RECIPIENTS FACILITY

2019 Dr. J. Bryan Unruh University of Florida, Jay, FL 2017 Dr. Clint Waltz University of Georgia, Griffin, GA Dr. William Meyer Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 2016 Dr. Grady Miller North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 2014 Dr. M. Ali Harivandi University of California Cooperative Extension, Alameda, CA 2008 Dr. Lauire Trenholm University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

All the award recipients will receive recognition in Turf News, the Turfgrass Producers International 2023 Membership Directory, and during the TPI 2023 International Education Conference in Nashville, Tennessee.

Geri Hannah is administrative manager for Turfgrass Producers International. ghannah@TurfGrassSod.org