September 2019
2019 Iowa State University Awards ceremony. (Christopher Gannon/Iowa State University)
Plant Pathology and Microbiology Professor Gary Munkvold was honored Monday, September 23 with the Regents Award for Faculty Excellence. The annual recognition, presented by the Iowa Board of Regents, recognizes tenured faculty members who are outstanding university citizens and who have rendered significant service to Iowa State University (ISU) or the state of Iowa.
“Dr. Munkvold is recognized internationally in seed health and fungal pathogens,” ISU President Wendy Wintersteen said during the award presentation. “As co-director of the USDA National Seed Health System, he has made significant impacts in global seed trade at the state and federal levels.”
Munkvold also oversees two graduate programs: Plant Pathology and Seed Technology and Business. A nominator wrote “Gary’s intellect, dedication, and energy have made him valuable to innumerable stakeholders at the university, the state, and world.”
Dr. Munkvold, who has been at ISU for 22 years, teaches two courses related to Seed Pathology, which is unique to Iowa State University. “My specialization in seed pathology involves continuous collaboration with the global seed industry, which is very dynamic and always presents new challenges.” Munkvold said. “There are no other courses on this subject in the U.S, and I enjoy the opportunity to delve deeply into this specialized topic.”
Professor Munkvold was among 50 faculty and staff recognized at the annual awards ceremony.
“Iowa State University’s greatest asset is its people,” said Wintersteen. “The faculty and staff who work hard every day and care deeply about providing an exceptional experience for our students and advancing excellence in our academic, research, and extension programs.”
~Cindy Hicks, ISU Seed Science Center
