Floyd Andre Award

This citation honors a College of Agriculture and Life Sciences alumnus 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.

2021 Floyd Andre Awardees

Neal (CB) Conover (’69 animal science)
Spencer, Iowa

Dwight Conover (’74 agricultural business)
Okoboji, Iowa

Neal and Dwight Conover, co-founders of Northwest Financial Corporation in Arnolds Park, Iowa, have grown their banking organization to be one of the Midwest’s top financial institutions, with over $2.5 billion in assets and more than 20 locations in Iowa and Nebraska.

Presented with an opportunity to acquire a troubled bank in SW Iowa in 1984 and then two savings and loan institutions in 1988, the brothers – who grew up on a farm near Holstein, Iowa – built their business with the goal of creating a model for sustainable, long-term success. With more than 90 years of combined experience in the banking industry, the Conovers use their skills as agriculturalists, leaders, and banking professionals to guide their organization, responding to industry changes, consumer needs, and technological advancements while maintaining their commitment to their customers, their employees, and the communities they serve.

In addition to running a successful business together, Neal and Dwight give back to their communities in a variety of ways. Dwight helped start several 501c3 nonprofits and is involved in a number of non-profit organizations focused on bettering local communities. Neal served as past president of the historic Arnolds Park and Friends of Lakeside Laboratory and recently retired from the Spencer Hospital Board of Trustees.

As dedicated Cyclones, Neal and Dwight continue to be involved and engaged on campus. Neal served for seven years on the Ivy College of Business Dean’s Advisory Committee. Dwight serves on the Iowa State Foundation’s Board of Governors and is a member of the ISU Athletics Gridiron Club and the Order of the Knoll W.M Beardshear Society and Campanile Society. Neal is a member of the Order of the Knoll President’s Circle and Campanile Society. Both are life members of the ISU Alumni Association.

Past Recipients

• 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