Alumni Corner
The Alumni Corner celebrates the lasting bonds and achievements of our Crop and Soil Sciences graduates, highlighting the many ways they continue to engage with and inspire our community. From reconnecting with members of the Class of 1976 to sharing the recent accomplishments of our 2025 graduates, this section showcases the enduring impact of our alumni and the meaningful paths they forge beyond UGA. Their stories remind us of the strength of shared experiences, the value of lifelong learning, and the deep connections that continue to shape our department’s legacy.
Stay Connected
We love cheering on our alumni—and you love staying connected! Share your latest adventures, accomplishments, and milestones with us. We can’t wait to hear what you’re up to!
Class of 1976
The department had the wonderful opportunity to co-host a visit by members of the 1976 CRSS (then named Agronomy) graduating class. Dr. Earl Elsner, CRSS Professor Emeritus, who taught in the 1970’s, helped organize and attended the event, which included tours of campus, Miller Plant Sciences and a dinner. Drs. Johnson-Maynard and Roger Boerma (CRSS/IPBGG Professor Emeritus and Executive Director of Georgia Seed Development) attended the dinner along with their spouses.
While they were busy with careers in agriculture (farming, UGA Extension, and various other appointments within the agricultural industry), raising their families and, more recently, enjoying their grandchildren, this group has managed to stay connected, a testament to their friendship and their shared experiences at UGA. Their stories and deep connection with faculty including Drs. Elsner and Boerma, are inspirational and serve as a very powerful reminder of the lasting impact and enduring value of the hands-on learning opportunities that our faculty work hard to offer.
2025 Graduates
Benedetta Sara Poles, Dr. Cris Pilon, and Dr. Jimmy Awori at the graduation reception at UGA-Tifton.
- Audrey Young graduated with her M.S. in May 2025 (Advisor: G. Henry). Her thesis focused on the effects of athletic painting on turfgrass soil health and athlete biomechanics. Young has joined the Georgia Cotton Commission as the Outreach Education Specialist.
- Dr. Emily Bedwell completed her Ph.D. in May 2025 (Advisor: G. Vellidis). Her dissertation focused on irrigation technology and efficiency. Dr. Bedwell is now Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist of Irrigation Technology at the University of Idaho.
- Dr. Maria Teresa Tancredi graduated with her Ph.D. in Dec 2025 (Advisor: J. Thompson). She is the Minnesota Soil Health Specialist with the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC).
- Michaela Lubbers graduated with her M.S. in December 2025 (Advisor: J. Thompson). She is the IPM & Sustainability Communications Specialist with Bugwood, UGA's Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystems Health. She was also accepted into the Soil and Water Conservation Society's Emerging Leaders Program.
- Benedetta Sara Poles graduated with her M.S. in December 2025 (Advisor: C. Pilon). The title of her thesis was Optimizing irrigation and harvest management in peanut production: impact on seed quality and aflatoxin formation
- Dr. Kelvin Jimmy Awori graduated with his Ph.D. in December 2025 (Advisor: C. Pilon). The title of his dissertation was: Photosynthetic heat tolerance in peanut cultivars and genotypes derived from wild species