Floyd Andre Award

This citation honors a College of Agriculture and Life Sciences alumnus or friend who has made outstanding contributions to production agriculture, agricultural business or has had a significant impact on Iowa agriculture. Iowa State University faculty members are not eligible for this award. Selection is made by the Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

This award was established in 1978 and is presented annually during Iowa State University’s Homecoming Weekend. Click here for the nomination form. Nominations are due the third Tuesday in November.

2022 Floyd Andre Awardee

Robert E. Rust (friend of Iowa State University)
Ames, Iowa

Known as an innovator in the meat science industry, Robert E. Rust, professor emeritus of animal science, made a significant impact during his time on the faculty at Iowa State University. He was hired in 1959 as the university’s first extension meat specialist, having previously served in a similar role at Michigan State University.

Rust integrated the scientific work being done on meat processing in the academic world with practices taking place in industry. He developed a series of meat science short courses – making Iowa State the first university to offer such classes. Some of these courses are still offered today, including the popular Sausage and Processed Meats short course, first offered in 1979.

Rust has co-authored more than 55 scientific articles, 35 extension publications, more than 200 technical publications, nine chapters in reference books, one textbook on meat processing and was co-editor of a book on thermal processing.

He was inducted into the Meat Industry Hall of Fame in 2010 and was the first person to receive both the extension award and the meat processing award from the American Meat Science Association. Both the Institute of Food Technologists and the American Society of Animal Science named him a fellow.

Following retirement from Iowa State in 1994, Rust and his wife, Dorothy, established an undergraduate and graduate scholarship for meat science students. Rust is an annual member of the Alumni Association and Cyclone Club, belongs to the Order of the Knoll President’s Circle, and is a proud supporter of Reiman Gardens and the Brunnier Art Museum.

Past Recipients

• 2021 – Neal (CB) Conover, ’69 animal science, and Dwight Conover, ’74 agricultural business
• 2020 – Jeff Plagge, ’76 agricultural business
• 2019 – Steve Berger, ’86 agricultural business
• 2018 – Jim Christensen, ’82 farm operation
• 2017 – Todd Hall, ’82 animal science
• 2016 – Cindie Marie (DeCoster) Luhman ’83 animal science, ’90 PhD nutritional physiology
• 2015 – Harold Hodson, Jr., ’61 animal science, ’65 PhD
• 2014 – Sig Cornelius, ‘76 farm operation
• 2013 – David Morrison, ‘69 food technology, ‘71 MS chemical engineering
• 2012 – Dennis Casey, ‘64 agricultural business, ’68 MS poultry science, ’78 PhD
• 2011 – James G. Frevert, ’60 farm operation
• 2010 – James C. Borel, ‘78 agricultural business
• 2009 – Dwight Hughes, Jr., ’70 horticulture
• 2008 – Roger Underwood, ’80 ag business
• 2007 – Terry Meyer
• 2006 – Theodore Crosbie, ’73 ag and life sciences education, ’76 MS agronomy, ’78 PhD
• 2005 – Lee Kline, ’51 agricultural journalism
• 2004 – Daryll E. Ray, ’65 farm operation, ’71 PhD agricultural economics
• 2003 – James Penney, ’68 farm operation, ’79 MS agronomy
• 2002 – Ron Holden, ’67 agronomy
• 2001 – Jan Schuiteman, ’74 doctor of veterinary medicine
• 2000 – Duane Halverson, ’67 agricultural business, ’69 MS
• 1999 – Willard Latham, ’63 agronomy
• 1998 – James Bradford, ’56 animal science
• 1997 – Alan Tubbs, ’66 animal science
• 1996 – David Williams, ’53 animal science
• 1995 – Kenneth Bower, ’32 agricultural business
• 1994 – John Greig, ’60 MS animal science
• 1993 – Donald Latham, ’69 agronomy
• 1992 – Derryl McLaren, ’71 agricultural business
• 1991 – Robert Kalton, ’45 MS agronomy, ’47 PhD
• 1990 – Russ Sanders, ’75 farm operation
• 1989 – Varel Bailey, ’62 farm operation
• 1988 – Marvin Walter, ’62 animal science, ’64 MS
• 1987 – William Larson, ’49 PhD agronomy
• 1986 – Raymond Baker, ’28 agronomy, ’91 PhD
• 1985 – Edward Tubbs, ’41 animal science
• 1984 – G. Joe Lyon, ’51 dairy science
• 1983 – Owen J. Newlin, ’51 agriculture, ’53 MS
• 1982 – Robert Skinner, ’49 animal science, ’54 MS
• 1981 – Bob Joslin, ’47 agricultural business
• 1980 – Robert Buck
• 1979 – James Hilton, ’23 animal science, ’65 PhD
• 1978 – George Strayer, ’32 agronomy