The Irrigation Foundation bestowed its 2014 Excellence in Education Award to Michael Dukes, Ph.D., of the University of Florida (UF).
Dukes will receive his award, formally, at the 2014 Irrigation Show & Education Conference in Phoenix during the general session Nov. 20.
The Excellence in Education Award recognizes a person who actively teaches irrigation, water management and/or water conservation in affiliation with a two- or four-year institution.
At UF, Dukes began a research program on landscape irrigation efficiency. Students evaluated smart irrigation controllers and worked with Florida agencies, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Irrigation Association (IA) to define testing procedures and standards for the products and other types of irrigation equipment.
Norman Davis, technical director of the water conservation program at Hillsborough County Public Utilities and who nominated Dukes for the award, credited Dukes with “[educating] Hillsborough County about the efficiency of smart irrigation controllers.”
Such mentoring and training, Dukes said, is the most fulfilling part of his job.
“I am grateful to have been selected for the 2014 Excellence in Education Award,” he said. “I enjoy working with students on applied irrigation topics. Interaction with the students is always energizing and fulfilling.”
In addition to his research and outreach efforts, Dukes has been very involved with IA, serving on the association’s Technical Conference Committee, Executive Task Team and Technical Working Group for Smart Water Application Technologies, IA’s national partnership with water providers.
Nominations for the 2015 Excellence in Education Award will open in January.
