Henry A. Wallace Award

This citation honors a College of Agriculture and Life Sciences alumnus or friend who has achieved notable professional achievements nationally or internationally and brought distinction to themselves, the college, and the university through their significant contributions. 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.

2023 Henry A. Wallace Awardee

Patrick McGonegle (’83 animal science)
Vincent, Iowa

A proud animal science graduate, Pat McGonegle has made a tremendous impact on agriculture at the local, state, national and international levels throughout the years. He currently serves as CEO of the Iowa Pork Producers Association, a position he has held since October 2015.

McGonegle’s impact within the pork industry is expansive, with leadership roles that benefit Iowa pork producers at the local level and on our behalf at the national level. He has served as the vice president of state relations and resource development for the National Pork Producers Council, ensuring Iowans continue our tradition as the nation’s leader in pork production.

Pat has also been instrumental in building agricultural education capacity at Iowa State by partnering with the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences on key fundraising initiatives. His influence has yielded significant support for students, faculty, programs, and capital projects alike.

In addition, Pat’s entire family has been loyal and forever true to Iowa State. Pat and his wife, Julie (’86 home economics education), have two children, Laurel (’22 food science) and James, a current senior majoring in data science. Pat and Julie are annual members of the ISU Alumni Association, and they are Cyclone Club members.

Past Recipients

• 2022 – Bill Northey, ’81 agricultural business
• 2021 – Deland J. Myers Sr., ’81 MS food technology, ’84 PhD
• 2020 – Roger Carlsson, ’78 agricultural business
• 2020 – Betsy Freese, ’84 agricultural journalism
• 2019 – Dhamu Thamodaran, ’83 PhD agricultural economics
• 2018 – Max F. Rothschild
• 2017 – Catherine E. Woteki
• 2016 – Robert E. Walton, Sr., ’61 PhD animal science
• 2015 – James P. Tobin, ’78 agricultural and life sciences education
• 2014 – Steven Bradbury, ’81 MS entomology, ’85 PhD
• 2013 – James Blome, ‘85 agronomy and pest management
• 2012 – John P. Gordon
• 2011 – Lowell Catlett, ‘80 PhD economics
• 2010 – Dana R. Robes, ’67 dairy science
• 2009 – David L. Wright, ’82 agronomy, ’86 MS
• 2008 – Owen J. Newlin, ’51 agronomy, ’53 MS
• 2007 – Harlan Ritchie, ’57 animal science, ’64 PhD
• 2006 – Carl Whitcomb, ’66 MS horticulture, ’69 PhD
• 2005 – Ray Townsend
• 2004 – D.L. “Hank” Harris, ’67 doctor of veterinary medicine, ’70PhD
• 2003 – Wesley Buchele, ’54 PhD ag engineering
• 2002 – Burton Endo, ’51 horticulture
• 2001 – Douglas Hard, ’75 animal science, ’78 MS, ’81 PhD
• 2000 – Mark Drabenstott, ’80 MS agricultural economics, ’81 PhD
• 1999 – Billy Day, ’58 PhD animal science
• 1998 – Francis Byrnes, ’75 PhD sociology
• 1997 – Ned Raun, ’61 PhD animal science
• 1996 – Walter Fehr, ’67 PhD agronomy
• 1995 – Luther Tweeten, ’54 agricultural education,’ 62 MS agricultural economics
• 1994 – Duane Acker, ’52 animal science, ’53 MS, ’57 PhD
• 1993 – Roger Mitchell, ’54 agronomy, ’61 PhD
• 1992 – Arnel Hallauer, ’58 MS agronomy, ’60 PhD
• 1991 – Robert Barnes, ’57 agronomy
• 1990 – Kenneth Frey, ’48 PhD agronomy
• 1989 – Eugene Meyer, ’46 dairy science
• 1988 – Herb Plambeck
• 1987 – Neil Harl ’55 agricultural education, ’65 PhD economics
• 1986 – Kenneth Nielsen, ’46 agricultural education
• 1985 – Robert Kalton, ’45 MS agronomy, ’47 PhD
• 1984 – Charles Henderson, ’33 animal science, ’35 MS, ’48 PhD
• 1983 – George Beal, ’43 agricultural economics, ’47 MS, ’53 PhD rural sociology
• 1982 – Louis Thompson, ’47 MS agronomy, ’50 PhD
• 1981 – R. J. Hildreth, ’49 industrial administration,’ 50 MS, ’54 PhD agricultural economics
• 1980 – Charles Black, ’38 MS agronomy, ’42 PhD
• 1979 – Lauren K. Soth, ’32 agricultural journalism, ’38 MS
• 1978 – Earl Heady, ’45 PhD economics