CSU Chico Agriculture's Cynthia Daley Receives National Honor

Cynthia Daley, assistant professor of animal biotechnology, College of Agriculture, California State University, Chico, has received one of the highest honors given to teachers of agriculture from the American Association of State Colleges of Agriculture and Renewal Resources (AASCARR).

The Outstanding Teacher Award from AASCARR is presented to a teacher early in his or her career. Daley received the award at the National Association of Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture conference on June 22 in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Daley earned a bachelor's degree in animal science from the University of Illinois in 1982. In 1986, she received a master's degree from California State University, Fresno and earned a Ph.D. in endocrinology from the University of California, Davis in 1997.

Daley began teaching at CSU, Chico in 1993 as a lecturer and was hired as an assistant professor in 1998. In the first two years of her appointment, she received $1.15 million in grants. She developed research programs in the diverse fields of assisted reproductive technologies and alternative uses for agricultural wastes. She has also received a USDA Challenge Grant to support integrating biotechnology throughout CSU, Chico's agricultural curriculum.

Daley's background is in cattle production. She was raised on a corn/cattle farm in north-central Illinois and was active in 4-H for eight years with cattle projects. She has been an owner/operator of a cattle ranch since 1987.

"I believe my production experience is invaluable in the classroom," Daley said. "It allows me to use real-life experiences that tie into lecture material to make the information more memorable or interesting. The involvement of up to 10 undergraduate students per semester in all phases of experimental research sets her work apart from many traditional academic scientists.

"Cindy's research can capture students' imaginations because it answers real-life questions that they know are important," wrote nominator Marian Baldy, professor of agriculture. "Her cutting-edge knowledge and 'can-do' outlook bring energy and inspiration to everyone who works with her-students, faculty colleagues, and ranchers and farmers in the field."

Daley has received several other honors during her teaching career at CSU, Chico: 2001 honorary membership in the Golden Key Honor Society, a national award given for high academic standards in the classroom; the 2001 Maggie Award for Outstanding Faculty; the 2001 California Agriculture Teachers Association Teacher of Teachers Award; and Who's Who Among America's Teachers, a national award for 5 percent of the nation's teachers in both 1998 and 2000.

Photo is available upon request. Contact Kathleen McPartland, 530-898-4263.