-Magdalen Lindeberg

Several awards are given out within the School of Integrative Plant Science at the end of each fall semester.  Among these are the MacDonald and Musgrave Awards, representing the desire of two crop science faculty members, Dr. Robert Musgrave and Dr. Harry MacDonald, to recognize outstanding accomplishments with the Section of Soil and Crop Sciences, at the time known as the Department of Agronomy. The awards were presented by SCS Chair, Professor Antonio DiTommaso on Friday December 11 in a virtual ceremony held on Zoom.

Leslie Larsen, recipient of the Musgrave Award for 2020, is an administrative manager in the School of Integrative Plant Science and a primary contact for the Soil & Crop Sciences Section. Larsen was recognized for her impressive organizational skills, commitment to finding solutions, and her calm, fair, and respectful attitude. These qualities are particularly appreciated this year given the challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic and complex planning required for the Bradfield renovation.

Senior Lecturer Jonathan Russell-Anelli is this year’s recipient of the MacDonald Award. Russell-Anelli is recognized for his tireless advocacy for soil science. He teaches three soils courses including the foundational PLSCS 2600 Introduction to Soil Science, and is known for attentiveness to his students and as a knowledgeable resource for faculty and staff. Russell-Anelli has also devoted significant energy to his position on the Cornell Senate.

Taylor Cyle is this year’s recipient of the MacDonald Musgrave Graduate Student Award. A student in the program of C. Enid Martínez, Cyle was recognized for his methodical, interdisciplinary research encompassing both soil chemistry and microbiology. He has received multiple grants and fellowships during his time at Cornell and is greatly appreciated for his thoughtful, proactive, and community-minded attitude.

Congratulations to all three awardees!