At its annual College Celebration in October, the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences presented Awards of Distinction to faculty, staff, alumni and supporters. The awards are given to individuals whose contributions and achievements have enriched the image and reputation of the college and enhanced its ability to serve the public. This year, awards were presented to Jerry Nishimoto, the lead computer support staff member in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics; Jorge Dubcovsky, a plant science professor and wheat breeder; and to Kent Bradford, a plant science professor and director of the Seed Biotechnology Center. Awards also were presented to alumni Dennis Gonsalves, Kirvin Knox and Caitlin O'Connell, and to Karen Ross and Jerry Lohr, friends and supporters of the college. More information on the award winners is available at http://www.aes.ucdavis.edu/NewsEvents/Events/college-celebration.

Harry Kaya, a professor of entomology and nematology, has been named a fellow of the Entomological Society of America in recognition of his outstanding contributions in research, teaching, extension and administration. Kaya, who is internationally recognized for his contributions to insect pathology and insect nematology, carried out pioneering studies that have contributed toward the development of nematodes that can be used as biological controls for various soil insect pests.

Several members of the campus community recently received Collaboration Awards from the UC Davis Office of Administration for their work on behalf of UC Davis' new olive oil production. They are: Sal Genito, Dan Flynn, Cary Avery, Steve Nixon, Fernando Garcia and Katie Hetrick in the Buildings and Grounds Division; Shermain Hardesty in the Small Farm Center; Laurie Lewis, Julia Ann Easley, Mitchel Benson, Jay Leek and Karin Higgins in University Communications; Vito Polito in the plant sciences department; Clare Hasler of the Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science; Paul Vossen, Alexandra Devarenne and Louise Ferguson in UC Cooperative Extension. The Collaboration Awards recognize a variety of efforts by these people, including improving campus safety by removing olives that drop onto bike paths; reducing costs by better maintenance of the olive trees; promoting the university's academic mission by utilizing a previously ignored campus resource; and increasing the campus's visibility through the successful marketing and publicity surrounding the olive oil product.