Tom Smith, a technician in the Department of Plant Agriculture, received the Hidden Hero Recognition Award at the U of G Community Breakfast. Smith has worked for 37 years in peanut, canola and dry bean breeding. Working with Dr. Peter Pauls, he designs and executes field trials for variety development and for graduate student experimental projects.
A team player and leader, Smith serves as a valued mentor and adviser for new staff, including students from high school to graduate level. He helps ensure that U of G breeding programs produce quality data, key to multiple new inventions and licensed varieties for the University each year.
Smith’s efforts regularly go above and beyond his official job description. He exemplifies the U of G’s Strategic Framework theme of building a connected community.