CFAES Award recipients from the Office of Academic Programs

Rodney F. Plimpton Distinguished Early Career Teacher Award

Amanda Bowling
Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership

Dr. Amanda Bowling completed her doctorate program in agriscience education at the University of Missouri in 2017. She then joined the CFAES Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership (ACEL) as a Visiting Assistant Professor and transitioned to an Assistant Professor in 2018. Dr. Bowling currently teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses for ACEL including teaching methods in agriscience education, research methods and design, and quantitative instrumentation, data collection and analysis. In addition, she also supervises student teachers during their senior field experience practicum and advises ACEL undergraduate and graduate students. Dr. Bowling’s research focuses on enhancing youth development through the exploration of teacher and student motivation, effective teaching methods, and preservice teacher metacognition.

Distinguished Teacher Award

David Barker
Professor, Department of Horticulture and Crop Science

Dr. David Barker is professor in the CFAES Department of Horticulture and Crop Science (HCS), where he teaches undergraduate and graduate classes in plant science. His research is on grassland ecology, with a specialty in grazing management. Dr. Barker serves as undergraduate Adviser within the SPS-Agronomy specialization and advises two student clubs. Dr. Barker serves on the HCS Academic Affairs Committee, and currently serves as Chair of the CFAES Committee of Academic Affairs and Associate Chair of HCS. Dr. Barker has a BS and MS from Massey University, New Zealand, and PhD from University of Nebraska.

Distinguished Teaching by a Lecturer Award

Pamela Sherratt
Turfgrass Specialist, Department of Horticulture and Crop Science

Pamela Sherratt holds a BSc (Honors) in Horticulture from The University of Central Lancashire in England and an MS in Turfgrass Science from The Ohio State University. She has been a Turfgrass specialist in the CFAES Department of Horticulture and Crop Science since 1999. She teaches The World of Plants, Plant Science Lab, and Sports Turf Management, with 700-1,000 students total per year. The sports turf management class has supported Columbus City Schools over many years by carrying out hands-on renovation projects on baseball fields. Her Extension/outreach efforts focus on offering certificate programs for industry professionals, engaging with youth, and promoting the green industry through activities like summer STEM camp, FFA events, Explore Ag activities and Scouts BSA merit badges. Pam writes for a national industry magazine and speaks at state, national and international conferences.

Distinguished Undergraduate Academic Advisor/Mentor Award

Annie Specht
Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership

Dr. Annie Specht is an associate professor and the program coordinator for the agricultural communication major and minor in Columbus. She graduated from OSU with a bachelor’s in agricultural communication in 2008 and her master’s in agricultural and extension education in 2010. As a student at OSU, Dr. Specht was fortunate enough to work with outstanding faculty advisors like Dr. Susie Whittington and Dr. Emily Buck, who provided the model for her current advising practices. As part of her teaching appointment, Dr. Specht has advised undergraduate students since starting at OSU in 2014. Her advising philosophy is centered on student success and achieving desired outcomes: She believes that a student’s college experience is one of the most formative times of their life, and her role is to provide a sounding board for her advisees’ goals, to be a resource they have questions, and to advocate for them as they navigate their programs.