Four graduates of UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences honored for outstanding contributions

Published: November 28 2005

Category:InsideUF

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Four graduates from the University of Florida’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences were honored recently for their outstanding contributions in agriculture and other industries.

Anita Dhople, Atlanta, Ga., and Mason Smoak, Lake Placid, Fla., received the Horizon Award from the college’s Alumni and Friends organization for their contributions to agriculture, natural resources and the life sciences. Bernie Lester, Labelle, Fla., and Frank “Sonny” Williamson, Okeechobee, Fla., received the organization’s Award of Distinction for their contributions to UF and the agricultural and natural resource industries.

The awards were presented Nov. 5 by Roger Scarborough, president of Alumni and Friends, and R. Kirby Barrick, dean of the college, during the college’s annual “Tail Gator” event prior to the UF-Vanderbilt football game in Gainesville.

Dr. Anita A. Dhople, who earned a bachelor’s degree with honors in food science and human nutrition in 1992 and a Doctor of Medicine degree from UF’s College of Medicine in 1996, is now director of the Hospitalist Program at the Phoebe Putney Medical Group and staff internist with the Piedmont Medical Group in Atlanta.

Dhople, who strives to make healthcare accessible to the disadvantaged, began her career with a nonprofit community healthcare center and has served as adjunct clinical instructor in internal medicine at the Medical College of Georgia. She is active in professional development and holds membership in several organizations, including the Medical Association of Georgia, the American College of Physicians and the American Medical Association. She has published seven professional articles and volunteered as a member of a medical team that provided health care in India.

Mason Smoak received his bachelor’s degree in food and resource economics in 1997. Upon graduation, he returned to his family’s third-generation citrus and cattle operation in Lake Placid, where he manages harvesting and hauling operations for 2,300 acres of citrus.

He is active in industry organizations and programs, including service on the board of directors of the Florida Farm Bureau and as president of the Young Farmer and Rancher Leadership Team and of the Highlands County Farm Bureau. He completed a program at UF’s Wedgeworth Leadership Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources and serves as secretary of the Alpha Gamma Rho Education Foundation. Mason also serves on the Agricultural Advisory Committee for South Florida Community College, and he was a founding member of the board of directors for the Highlands County Ag Venture program for elementary school students.

Bernie Lester received his bachelor’s degree in 1961 and his master’s degree in 1962 in food and resource economics, and completed his doctoral degree in agricultural economics at Texas A&M University. Lester’s 40-year career includes service with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Florida Department of Citrus and Alico Inc. in Labelle. He retired from the company this year as president and chief executive officer.

Lester’s contributions to agriculture and Florida education include faculty service at UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and service on numerous boards and councils. He has been recognized for outstanding achievements by many organizations, including the Florida Association of County Agents, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and Gamma Sigma Delta.

Frank “Sonny” Williamson received his bachelor’s degree in agriculture from UF in 1950. Upon graduation, he partnered with his father on a ranch. Since then, the Williamson Cattle Company has developed into a family business, which produces cattle and citrus in Okeechobee, and cattle and catfish in Greensboro, Ala.

Williamson has a distinguished history of civic engagement and support of the agriculture industry. He has served on several boards and councils including UF’s SHARE (Special Help for Agricultural Research and Education) Council, the Florida chapter of the Nature Conservancy and the Florida Cattlemen’s Foundation.

He also works to improve the lives of others through Okeechobee Non-Profit Housing Inc., which provides education, counseling and low-cost housing to migrant workers. A member of the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame, Williamson has been recognized for his many achievements by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Gamma Sigma Delta, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Florida Association of County Agricultural Agents.

Credits

Writer
Chuck Woods
Source
R. Kirby Barrick, kbarrick@ufl.edu, (352) 392-1961
Source
Roger Scarborough, rscarbough@fcnf.com, (386) 462-7631
Source
Emily Sperling, sperliing@ufl.edu, (352) 392-2251

Category:InsideUF