Dr. Deb VanOverbeke and Dr. Jessica Petersen both received honors at the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources Distinguished Faculty Celebration held on September 25, 2025.
Dr. VanOverbeke, was named the Marvel K. Baker Professor of Animal Science. The professorship is named in honor of Dr. Baker, who served as the head and instructor of animal husbandry at the University of Nebraska School of Agriculture at Curtis, Nebraska, from 1924-28 and led the research and herd management programs with beef and dairy cattle, swine, sheep, and poultry at the North Platte Experiment Station from 1930-41. He came to campus in 1941 to serve as a professor and also led beef cattle research efforts, and was later named as an Assistant Dean of the College of Agriculture. The Animal Science Building was named Marvel L. Baker Hall in 1969 in honor of Baker's contributions to animal science.
Dr. Petersen was the recipient of the Omtvedt Innovation Award for Research. The Omtvedt Innovation Award recognizes innovation and excellence in teaching, research, and extension and is named in honor of Dr. Irv Omtvedt, former department head in animal science from 1975-82 and IANR vice chancellor from 1988-2000.
