The Hodson Graduate Alumni Award in the Department of Entomology, College of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences at the University of Minnesota was established in 1998 in memory of Dr. Alexander C. Hodson, Department Head from 1960-1974. This Award is intended to recognize and honor an outstanding alumna or alumnus of the Department of Entomology. The Award is presented annually during the Department’s Honors Day, which pays tribute to the achievements of students in the Entomology Graduate Program.
Dr. Hodson was born in Reading, Massachusetts and attended the University of Massachusetts (B.S. 1928). He then attended the University of Minnesota (M.A. 1931 and Ph.D. 1935). During the summer of 1930, he studied marine ecology at the University of Washington’s Puget Sound Biological Station, an experience that had a profound influence upon his later career. He studied and worked as a Teaching Assistant at the University of Minnesota, and later became an Instructor in the Departments of Zoology, and Entomology and Economic Zoology. Dr. Hodson moved through academic ranks to Professor and finally to Head of the Department in 1960. In 1962, he was instrumental in changing the Department’s name to Entomology, Fisheries, and Wildlife. In 1974, at the age of 68, he retired. Dr. Hodson passed away March 13, 1996 at the age of 89.
Recent Recipient Seminars
Robert Suranyi, Ph.D (2023): "Entomology does not have an “I” in it"
Timothy J. Kurtti, Ph.D (2019): "An Inordinate Fondness for Cockroaches and Ticks”
Christina DiFonzo, Ph.D (2018): "Bt shaming: the art of regulating Bt traits through public hazing"
Marc E. Epstein, Ph.D. (2017): "From Frenatae to below the fish tanks: How Hangin' Around Hodson Hall Helped My ENT Career @ SI & CFDA"
Complete list of Hodson Alumni Award Winners
| Year | Awardee | Degree(s) | Advisor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Robert Suranyi | M.S. 1997 Ph.D. 2000 |
Ted Radcliffe, David Ragsdale Ted Radcliffe, David Ragsdale |
| 2019 | Timothy J. Kurtti | Ph.D 1974 | Marion Brooks Wallace |
| 2018 | Christina DiFonzo | M.S. 1993 Ph.D. 1995 |
D.W. Ragsdale, E.B. Radcliffe D.W. Ragsdale, E.B. Radcliffe |
| 2017 | Dr. Marc E. Epstein | M.S. 1982 Ph.D. 1988 |
H. M. Kulman W. E. Miller |
| 2015 | Frank Shotkoski | Ph.D. 1992 | Ann Fallon |
| 2014 | Deborah McCullough | Ph.D., 1990 | Herb Kulman |
| 2013 | Eric Mussen | M.S. 1969 Ph.D., 1975 |
H.C. Chiang, Basil Furgala H.C. Chiang, Basil Furgala |
| 2012 | Abdelaziz "Aziz" Lagnaoui | M.S,. 1990 Ph.D., 1991 |
Edward B. Radcliffe Edward B. Radcliffe |
| 2011 | Dale Clayton | M.S., 1983 | Roger Price |
| 2010 | Bhadriraju “Subi” Subramanyam | M.S., 1984 Ph.D.,1988 |
Laurence Cutkomp Philip K. Harein |
| 2009 | Sujaya Rao | Ph.D., 1991 | Richard Jones |
| 2008 | John Witter | Ph.D., 1971 | Herb Kulman |
| 2007 | Whitney Cranshaw | M.S., 1979 Ph.D., 1981 |
Edward B. Radcliffe Edward B. Radcliffe |
| 2006 | Kyung Saeng Boo | Ph.D., 1973 | Edwin F. Cook |
| 2005 | Ronald Hellenthal | Ph.D., 1977 | Edwin F. Cook |
| 2004 | William J. Mattson | Ph.D., 1972 | Herbert Kulman |
| 2003 | K. C. Kim | Ph.D., 1964 | Edwin F. Cook |
| 2002 | Gerrit Cuperus | Ph.D., 1982 | Edward B. Radcliffe |
| 2001 | Frederick W. Stehr | Ph.D., 1964 | Edwin F. Cook |
| 2000 | H. C. Chiang | Ph.D., 1948 | Alexander C. Hodson |
| 1999 | Morris Rockstein | Ph.D., 1948 | Alexander C. Hodson |
| 1998 | Robert Pfadt | Ph.D., 1948 | Alexander C. Hodson |