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2024 Recipients

2024 International Awards: George W. Bird

Special Recognition Award for Promoting International Understanding

 

Published: Tuesday, 26 Mar 2024   Author: Jonathan Gibson

 

Headshot of George Bird
George W. Bird

George W. Bird is the 2024 recipient of the Special Recognition Award for Promoting International Understanding, which recognizes faculty and staff who have made significant contributions to international engagement through internationalizing campus and MSU programs globally.

Bird is professor emeritus of nematology in the Department of Entomology. Since 1973, Bird’s teaching, research and MSU Extension responsibilities have been in the areas of nematology, integrated pest management, sustainable agriculture and soil health biology. During this time, Bird participated in many projects in Africa, Central and South America, and Central Asia.

Among other projects, Bird has collaborated with the Potato Cyst Nematode Management and Wheat Rust Breeding programs in Kyrgyzstan. In 2010, he was recognized by the Minister of Agriculture there for his contributions to agricultural research, education and outreach.

In 2021, he and his wife established the Bird Family Foundation for Environmentally Sound Agriculture to promote international understanding of environmental and sustainability issues.

 

“Global engagement is essential for assisting a world of more than eight billion individuals in development and maintenance of an appropriate quality of life.” - George W. Bird

 

Bird was nominated by Hannah Burrack, chairperson and professor in the Department of Entomology, and David Mota-Sanchez, chair of the awards committee in the Department of Entomology. “He has been true to the Land-Grant Mission of MSU in meeting the needs of Michigan and getting involved in many international programs. Professor Bird's reflection shines brightly, highlighting MSU's worldwide engagement and global reputation,” said Burrack and Mota-Sanchez.

 

2024 Award Recipients

 

Headshot of Edward Walker

Edward D. Walker

University Distinguished Professor, Department of Microbiology, Genetics, and Immunology


College of Natural Science

 

Ralph H. Smuckler Award for Advancing International Studies and Programs at MSU

Headshot of Yadu Pokhrel

Yadu Pokhrel

Associate Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering


College of Engineering

 

John K. Hudzik Emerging Leader in Advancing International Studies and Programs

Headshot of Jing Wang

Jing Wang

Ph.D., Physics (1999)


Cofounder and Chairman, FinTell Inc.

 

Joon S. Moon Distinguished International Alumni Award

Headshot of Lei Chen

Lei Chen

Ph.D., Statistics (1997)


Managing Director, Head of Fraud Risk for Lending and Fraud Data Science for the Consumer and Community Banking, JPMorgan Chase

 

Joon S. Moon Distinguished International Alumni Award

Headshot of Peter Lemmer

Peter Lemmer

Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Counsel


GreenStone Farm Credit Services

 

Glen L. Taggart Award for Community Contributions to International Understanding

Headshot of Katie Carline

Katie Carline

Ph.D., History (2023)


College of Social Science

 

Gill-Chin Lim Award for Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation in Global Studies

Headshot of George Bird

George W. Bird

Professor Emeritus, Department of Entomology

 

College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

 

Special Recognition Award for Promoting International Understanding

Headshot of Callisto Rakhmatov

Callista B. Rakhmatov

Global Network Specialist


College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

 

Charles A. Gliozzo International Award for Public Diplomacy

Headshot of Rochisshil Varma

Rochisshil Varma

President, International Students Association

 

Undergraduate student, College of Engineering and Honors College

 

Homer Higbee International Education Award

Headshot of Ishwari Kapale

Ishwari Kapale

Vice President, International Students Association

 

Undergraduate student, College of Engineering

 

Homer Higbee International Education Award

Headshot of Mary Hennessey

Mary Hennessey

Past Director, Volunteer English Tutoring Program

 

International Studies and Programs

 

Homer Higbee International Education Award

Headshot of Gail Vander Stoep

Gail A. Vander Stoep

Associate Professor Emeritus, Department of Community Sustainability

 

College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

 

MSU Award for Outstanding Service to Education Abroad

Headshot of Jonathan Choti

Jonathan Choti

Associate Professor, Department of Linguistics, Languages, and Cultures


College of Arts & Letters

 

MSU Award for Outstanding Service to Education Abroad

Headshot of Lisa Tiemann

Lisa Tiemann

Associate Professor, Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences


College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

 

Carl K. Eicher International Development Award