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College of Applied Arts
Department of Agricultural Sciences

Alumni Awards

Dr. Wakefield

The Purdue University Distinguished Agricultural Alumni Award was created in 1992. Each year, ten or fewer alumni are selected by the school’s administration to receive the award. The selection committee is comprised of the Dean of Agriculture, four associate deans, twelve department heads, and three unit directors. The Office of the Dean of Agriculture administers the program. 

Nominees must: 

• have a degree from Purdue University College of Agriculture (bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate) 

• be mid-career have made a significant contribution to his/her profession or society in general 

• have a record of outstanding accomplishments 

• exhibit high potential for future professional growth, particularly positions of greater responsibility, and service to his/her profession and to society 

• still have goals to attain 

Dr. Wakefield is recognized for his national work with diversity and inclusion and his continuing efforts in teacher education. Some of his many accomplishments include: 

College of Agriculture, Outstanding Teacher Award, Southern Illinois University (SIU) 
Faculty of the Year, SIU 
The Outstanding Contributions to Agriculture Education Award, National Association of Agricultural Educators 
Honorary American and State FFA Award Recipient 
Former National Director for Diversity and Inclusion, National FFA 
Former National President of the Alpha Tau Alpha Honorary Agriculture Education Organization 
Former National President of the Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences 
A teacher trainer of over 300 current or former agriculture teachers, Agriculture Education Coordinator (SIU) 
Advisor/creator to numerous student organizations 
A nationally recognized Historical Researcher focusing on Underserved Communities in Agriculture and Education. 

He comes to us from Indiana University Purdue University, Indianapolis where he served as the Educational Research Coordinator within the Center for Urban and Multicultural Education in the School of Education (IUPUI). His research focused on the School to Prison Pipeline and Disproportionality in Education.