Martin Massengale Outstanding Senior Award in Agronomy and Horticulture

Students crouched in a field of green plants

Martin Massengale Outstanding Senior Award in Agronomy and Horticulture

Candidates are nominated by department faculty. Required graduating senior class standing. Minimum required GPA of 3.0 and pursuing a career in the field of agronomy or horticulture after graduation. 

Martin Massengale

The Martin Massengale Outstanding Senior Award is a prestigious honor awarded to a graduating undergraduate senior in the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Department of Agronomy and Horticulture. This award celebrates students for their academic excellence and contributions and who embody the spirit of Dr. Massengale's contributions to agriculture and natural resources at the university. 

Martin A. Massengale served as chancellor of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln from 1981-1991. He is president emeritus of the University of Nebraska, former director of the Center for Grassland Studies and a Foundation distinguished professor.

As chancellor, Massengale was known as an effective leader and supporter of integrating research, education and extension. Among his many duties as chancellor, Massengale was responsible administratively for the Lied Center when it opened in 1990. His most notable work is the creation of the Center for Grassland Studies.

Massengale has published numerous papers and presentations, served as the principal or co-investigator on multiple research studies and has worked to build worldwide cultural understanding of agronomy, botany, plant physiology, and crop ecology.

In addition to his experience in academia, Massengale has served on numerous commissions and advisory boards including the board of trustees of the Nebraska Historical Society Foundation, University of Nebraska Foundation and Bryan Medical Center, among others.

Past Massengale Award Winners

  1. 2026

    Bryson Rader – Agronomy

  2. 2025

    Charlotte Brockman – Agronomy

  3. 2024

    Daniel Frey – Agronomy

  4. 2023

    Taylor Cammack – Horticulture

  5. 2022

    Katie Jo Steffen – Agronomy 

  6. 2021

    Caleb Wehrbein – Plant Biology

  7. 2020

    Christine Barta – Horticulture 

  8. 2019

    Kolby Grint – Agronomy

  9. 2018

    Megan Franklin – Horticulture

  10. 2017

    Kelsey Foster - Horticulture

  11. 2016

    Amanda Vodvarka – Agronomy 

  12. 2015

    Bradley Meusch – Agronomy 

  13. 2014

    Allison Siekman - Agronomy

  14. 2013

    Grace Troupe - Plant Biology

  15. 2012

    Ryan Armbrust - Horticulture 

  16. 2011

    Blythe McAfee - Agronomy

  17. 2010

    Tom O’Brien – Agronomy 

  18. 2009

    Tom Kon - Horticulture

  19. 2008

    Brian Krienke - Agronomy