Honor Indiana’s Best: Nominations Open for Purdue’s 2026 Hovde Award

Across Indiana, our rural communities are the beating heart of our state’s economy and culture. Behind every thriving county, resilient farm family, and successful local enterprise, you will often find a dedicated Purdue University faculty or staff member working tirelessly behind the scenes.

Now is your chance to make sure those changemakers get the spotlight they deserve.

Purdue Agriculture and the Indiana Farm Bureau are issuing an urgent call for nominations for the 2026 Frederick L. Hovde Award of Excellence in Educational Service to Rural People of Indiana.

The deadline to submit nomination packets is noon on Friday, September 4, 2026.

The Land-Grant Mission in Action

Named in honor of Purdue’s seventh president, Frederick L. Hovde—who led the institution from 1946 to 1971 and championed higher education for every Hoosier—this prestigious annual award recognizes active Purdue faculty and staff whose outreach, research, and teaching have made a profound, measurable difference in rural Indiana.

Whether based at the West Lafayette campus, in Indianapolis, or serving on the front lines as a regional campus or field staff member, eligible nominees must demonstrate contributions that go significantly “above and beyond the call of duty.”

“The Frederick L. Hovde Award recognizes Purdue faculty and staff whose work exemplifies our land-grant mission by making a meaningful difference in the lives of people and communities across Indiana,” said Bernie Engel, the Glenn W. Sample Dean of Agriculture. “Through teaching, research, Extension and engagement, these individuals help ensure that Purdue’s knowledge and expertise reach those who can benefit most. We are grateful to the Indiana Farm Bureau for its longstanding partnership in honoring this commitment to service.”

The selected recipient will be awarded an $800 cash prize, an engraved plaque, and a permanent place of honor on the display bearing past winners’ names inside the Agricultural Administration Building on the West Lafayette campus.

How to Submit a Nomination

Identifying and documenting exceptional performance is a vital task, and farmers, community leaders, and organizations across the state are encouraged to participate.

• Deadline: Friday, September 4, 2026, by noon (EST).

• Where to Submit: Email complete nomination packets to agdean@purdue.edu.

• Requirements: Nominations must include the official nomination form accompanied by at least one, but no more than five, one-page letters of support. (If submitting on behalf of an organization, letters should explicitly highlight the specific impact the nominee’s work had on the organization and its membership).

For full eligibility details, guidelines, and to download the fillable PDF form, visit the official Frederick L. Hovde Award webpage or contact the Dean of Agriculture’s Office at 765-494-8392.

A Legacy of Excellence: Complete List of Previous Hovde Award Winners

Since its inception in 1972, the Hovde Award has celebrated a remarkable roster of educators, researchers, and extension leaders who have dedicated their careers to elevating rural Indiana. The complete historical roll of honor includes:

• 2025: Maria Marshall, Agricultural Economics

• 2024: Jay T. Akridge, Agricultural Economics

• 2023: Kenneth A. Foster, Agricultural Economics

• 2022: John G. Baugh, Agricultural Services & Regulations

• 2021: Karen Richey, Marshall County Health and Human Sciences Extension

• 2020: Dr. Mark Russell, Agricultural Sciences Education and Communication

• 2019: Roy Ballard, Extension Educator & Renee McKee, 4-H/Youth Development

• 2018: Dr. Natalie Carroll, Extension Education

• 2017: Dr. Patricia Wakenell, Avian Diagnostics

• 2016: Dr. Robert L. Nielsen, Agronomy

• 2015: Dr. Freddie L. Barnard, Agricultural Economics

• 2014: Mary Ann Lienhart Cross & Lonnie Mason, Extension Educators

• 2013: Donald J. Biehle, Southeast Purdue Agricultural Center

• 2012: Dr. Fred Whitford, Purdue Pesticide Program

• 2011: Dr. Michael D. Boehlje, Agricultural Economics

• 2010: Dr. Leon Thacker, Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory

• 2009: Dr. Lawrence P. DeBoer, Jr., Agricultural Economics

• 2008: Dr. Randy Woodson, Provost

• 2007: Dr. Tom Turpin, Entomology

• 2006: Dr. Marshall A. Martin, Agricultural Economics

• 2005: Dr. Victor L. Lechtenberg, Engagement

• 2004: Judi Merkel, CFS-Human Development

• 2003: Dr. Wayne L. Singleton, Animal Sciences

• 2002: Dr. Don D. Jones & Dr. Alan L. Sutton, Agricultural Biological Engineering / Animal Sciences

• 2001: Pamela Robbins & Juanita Russell, 4-H/Youth Development

• 2000: Dr. William F. Field, Agricultural and Biological Engineering

• 1999: Dr. Christopher A. Hurt, Agricultural Economics

• 1998: Dr. Janet S. Ayres, Agricultural Economics

• 1997: Dr. Norman D. Long, 4-H/Youth Development

• 1996: Dr. Lawrence P. Bohl, Agricultural Economics

• 1995: Dr. Donald H. Scott, Extension Plant Pathology

• 1994: Dr. John C. Forrest, Animal Sciences

• 1993: Dr. Ann C. Hancook, Consumer and Family Sciences / Cooperative Extension

• 1992: Dr. C. Richard Edwards, Entomology

• 1991: Dr. Robert W. Taylor, Agricultural Economics

• 1990: Dr. Ellsworth P. Christmas, Agronomy

• 1989: Dr. Donald R. Griffith, Agronomy

• 1988: Dr. William D. Treese, Sr., Extension Agronomy (Vincennes)

• 1987: Dr. David C. Petritz, Agricultural Economics

• 1986: Dr. David L. Matthew, Jr., Entomology

• 1985: Dr. David H. Bache, Agricultural Economics

• 1984: Dr. Richard L. Kohls, Agricultural Economics

• 1983: Oscar W. Luetkemeier, Purdue Agronomy Farm

• 1982: Dr. Jerry V. Mannering, Agronomy

• 1981: Harold Berry (Madison County Extension) & Dr. James B. Outhouse (Animal Sciences)

• 1980: Dr. Donald P. Gustafson, Veterinary Virology

• 1979: Dr. Janet Armstrong, Consumer Sciences and Retailing

• 1978: Dr. G. Frederick Warren, Horticulture

• 1977: Maurice L. Williamson, Purdue Agricultural Alumni Association

• 1976: Billy Beach, Area Extension Agent (Vincennes)

• 1975: Dr. Bruce A. McKenzie, Agricultural Engineering

• 1974: Dr. Fred L. Patterson, Agronomy

• 1973: Dr. Hobart W. Jones, Animal Sciences

• 1972: Dr. Eva L. Goble (Home Economics) & Dr. David C. Pfendler (Agriculture)