Agronomy and horticulture department honors research technologists

The Department of Agronomy & Horticulture Staff Advisory Committee presented awards to three research technologists at the department's annual spring picnic.

Ben Loseke and Matt Sousek were given Professional Development awards of $250 each to be used for attendance at conferences in their fields. Tomie Galusha was honored with a Special Contribution award of $250, for going above and beyond his usual job duties in a way that greatly benefits the department and the university.

Loseke will give his research findings in a poster presentation "Delay of Bud Break on ‘Edelweiss' Grapevines with Multiple Applications of Amigo Oil and NAA" at the American Society for Enology and Viticulture National Conference, June 23–27 in Austin, Texas.

Sousek will use this award to attend the ASA, CSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting Nov. 2–5 in Long Beach, Calif. and present research on aspects of weed control in turfgrass.

This will be the first opportunity for both technologists to attend a national conference and present research.

Galusha was honored because of his outstanding technical support, impeccable management, team player attitude, willingness to assist and support his colleagues, and ideal mentoring abilities for more than 20 years as a research technologist at UNL.

SAC awards a total of $1000 in Professional Development and Special Contribution funds each calendar year. These awards are available to any Department of Agronomy & Horticulture permanent staff member beyond the initial probationary period of employment.