Leo M. Walsh Academic Merit Award

Dr. Leo M. Walsh was born and raised on a grain and livestock farm near Fort Dodge, Iowa. He graduated from Iowa State University with a B.S. in Agricultural Education in 1952 and served in the U.S. Air Force in Japan during 1952-1954. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Ph.D. in Soil Science in 1959. Dr. Walsh began his soil science career at the University of Wisconsin-Madison as an Assistant Professor on July 1, 1964. Subsequently, he became an Associate Professor, full Professor and Chairman of the Department of Soil Sciences. Leo’s long and impressive career culminated in his appointment as Dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences in 1979, serving in this position until 1991. During his administration as Dean, several new developments occurred, including the formation of the Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems, the Farm Financial Analysis Program, the Academic Scholars/Merit Scholarship Program, the Center for Dairy Research, and the strengthening of international programming in the college.

Eligibility Criteria
Awarded to undergraduate students in CALS. New freshmen must be in top 10% of class with 28+ ACT score. Continuing students need a GPA of 3.5 or better.

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