University of Missouri System President Mun Choi awarded Dr. Daniel B. Oerther the C. Brice Ratchford Memorial Fellowship Award on June 20 during the Board of Curators meeting at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Oerther is a professor of civil, architectural and environmental engineering at Missouri S&T.

The C. Brice Ratchford Memorial Fellowship Award recognizes a University of Missouri faculty member who demonstrates commitment, dedication and effectiveness in advancing the land-grant mission through extension, international education and agricultural economics programs. The fellowship is presented to a faculty member who personifies the creativity, vision and leadership exhibited by the late Dr. C. Brice Ratchford, president emeritus of the University of Missouri and dean of cooperative extension. The annual award is funded from a permanent endowment created with contributions from the Ratchford family and from numerous colleagues, friends and organizations in recognition of Ratchford’s memory.

The Ratchford Fellow is named by the University of Missouri Board of Curators based upon recommendation by the president. The president is advised by a panel, which includes representatives from the University of Missouri System campuses and off-campus faculty and Missouri citizens. The panel is chaired by MU’s vice chancellor for extension and engagement.

Additionally, the Society for the Environment selected Dr. Daniel B. Oerther as one of nine finalists for the 2019 Environmentalist of the Year Award during the society’s annual conference in London in June. Established in 2004, the Society for the Environment is responsible for the registration of more than 7,000 environmental professionals throughout the United Kingdom and in more than 70 countries.