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.

2021 Henry A. Wallace Awardee

Deland J. Myers Sr. (’81 MS food technology, ’84 PhD)
Statesville, North Carolina

Deland Myers is a nationally renowned food scientist known for his work in food product development, food security, and utilization of plant proteins in non-food products. Currently, he serves as emeritus professor in the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences at Prairie View A&M University.

With roots in the Midwest, Myers started his career with Pillsbury Company before returning to Iowa State University as a faculty member in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition. He served as director of the School of Food Systems in the College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources at North Dakota State University (NDSU) and held other director-level roles at the institution.

During his career, Myers has established himself as a leading expert on non-food uses of proteins. From 2012 to 2013, he served as president of the American Oil Chemists Society, and in 2015 was named a research fellow.

More recently, Myers has focused his efforts on food security and training young professionals to develop affordable, nutritious products to meet the needs of low resource communities. Throughout his career, Myers has continuously provided academic and professional development to underrepresented students.

In 2021, he and his wife, Evie, helped recharge the Iowa State Dr. George A. Jackson Legacy Challenge, a fundraising effort dedicated to the support of underrepresented and minority students at Iowa State. Myers belongs to the Order of the Knoll President’s Circle and is a life member of the ISU Alumni Association.

Past Recipients

• 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