Outstanding Alumni

CALS Alumni & Friends 2003 Achievement Awards

Four years ago the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) Alumni and Friends Association started a special recognition program to honor the hard work and dedication of its members. Meet this year’s honorees:

Distinguished Associate Alumni Award recognizes college friends with distinguished careers who have provided strong support to the college.

Margaret Soulen Hinson, Weiser, has managed her family livestock operation and helped the agricultural industry. A graduate of Leadership Idaho Agriculture, this proven leader dedicates significant time and energy to her community, our college, and Idaho.

Pat Takasugi, first appointed director of Idaho State Department of Agriculture in 1996, was re-appointed by Gov. Kempthorne in 1999. Still, he farms over 1,000 irrigated row crop acres of alfalfa seed, onions, wheat, pea seed, and garden bean seed near Wilder and Homedale. An Idaho native, Pat is a third generation farmer. During 10 years in the U.S. Army, he became a captain and served as a Green Beret A-Team commander in the U.S. Special Forces, 10th Group. Pat and his wife, Suzanne, have three children, Taylor, Cole, and Paige.

Distinguished Alumni Award honors alumni with distinguished careers in agriculture, family and consumer sciences, or a related field, as well as a long community service record.

Cathy Mosman ’83, ’87, followed in her father’s footsteps, teaching vocational agriculture for several years before beginning her farming career. Cathy, also a graduate of Leadership Idaho Agriculture, serves her community and was on the first CALS Alumni and Friends Association board of directors. She and husband, David, farm near Nezperce with children Katie, Ray, Sarah, and Maria.

Larry Church ’68, ’73, ’91, taught agricultural science for 35 years, during which 31 student teams qualified for national competitions and 31 individuals received American FFA degrees. Larry, twice president of the Idaho Vocational Agriculture Teachers’ Association and twice Outstanding Idaho Ag Teacher, also was the first program instructor to encourage female participation in FFA. Larry and his wife, Gail, have four children, three of them UI graduates. Now retired, he continues to make a difference for youth by volunteering every morning with the Farm Management Team.

Young Alumni Achievement Award honors alumni with an exceptional career and/or community service record and a future promising continued outstanding accomplishment.

Joe Blackstock ’87, ’93, Marsing, is one of three agricultural science teachers and FFA advisors in Kuna, winner of many state and national competitions. Joe and his wife, Shannon, have three sons, Travis, Jake, and Brett.

Dean’s Achievement Award recognizes individuals for their dedication, service, and significant contributions of leadership, innovation, and support to college programs.

Shirley Newcomb, ‘51, began her career at the UI as resident advisor of the Home Management House. She worked with the faculty at Eastern Washington University to develop the Coordinated Program in Dietetics. Later, she directed this program at Idaho. In 1982, Shirley helped found the Margaret Ritchie Distinguished Speaker Endowment. Her untiring dedication to growing the fund resulted in opportunities for student and community enrichment that would not have occurred without her leadership.

Carmelita Spencer ‘43, spent many years teaching home economics, math, and science, and continues her community involvement today. A member of the UI Foundation, she says she “tries to do more for the university than anything else.” Also, through her untiring dedication, the Bicentennial Historical Museum opened in Grangeville in 1986 and continues to provide community enrichment and a sense of pride.

UI Jim Lyle Award recognizes people who demonstrate long-term dedication to UI through volunteerism.

Clen ‘66 and Emma Atchley ‘68, Ashton, own and manage the Flying A Ranch, a successful seed potato operation that celebrated its centennial last year. Clen, a founding member of the CALS Alumni and Friends Association board of directors, served as president from 1999 to 2001. He has helped stage events and recruit students in southeastern Idaho.

On the college’s centennial task force, he helped plan activities on campus and around the state. Emma helped raise nearly $6 million for CALS Biotechnology Lab building, and was UI Foundation president when it launched a successful $100 million fund-raising campaign.