Three turfgrass science graduate students attended the American Society of Agronomy (ASA), Crop Science Society of America (CSSA), and Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) meeting in San Antonio, TX from November 10 to 13, 2024. Their focus of attendance was within the group CSSA (division C5, Turfgrass Science). All of those graduate students received awards, which is quite impressive. Details of the awards for each are shown below.
Olayemi Ojeokun (above), who will graduate with a Master’s degree in December, 2024 in Horticulture and Natural Resources (HNR), received a first place award for a “Turfgrass Ecology” poster competition. Her poster presentation title was “Comparison of Root Development of Zoysiagrass Cultivars and Genotypes for Drought Avoidance Traits.” Olayemi also received a Bridge Scholar Award. Dr. Jack Fry is Olayemi’s M.S. advisor.
Emmanuel Nwachukwu (above), who is pursuing a M.S. degree in HNR, received a 2nd place award for the poster competition of “Turfgrass Water Conservation.” The title of his poster was “Germination and Establishment Speed Differences of Kentucky Bluegrass Cultivars.” Emmanuel was also awarded the Chris Stiegler Turfgrass Science Graduate Student Travel Award and the Encompass Fellow Program Award. Dr. Ross Braun is Emmanuel’s advisor.
Parul Mandal (above), Ph.D. student in HNR, was one of the recipients of the Gerald O. Mott Meritorious Graduate Student Award. Photo above is with her advisor, Dr. Ross Braun.
