MSU awards agriculture head for achievement

Elliott was scheduled to receive the award, which includes a plaque and $1,200, during MSU’s Oct. 26 homecoming dinner at University Plaza Hotel.

Named after former MSU vice president for university advancement Greg Onstot, who retired at the end of last year, the annual award goes to a faculty or staff member who has made significant contributions to the school’s development and alumni relations programs, according to an MSU news release.

“Anson Elliott’s work ethic, as well as the positive attitude and positive relationships he has developed, are just a few of the many reasons he was selected for the first annual Greg Onstot Outstanding Achievement Award,” said Brent Dunn, MSU vice president for university advancement, in the release. “His dedication to Missouri State has been well-documented.”

The award criteria include work ethic, attitude and achievements during the year. Examples of achievements include securing a major gift, initiating or having a lead role in a new project, finding a new donor through new or persistent data mining, having a lead role in a major successful event, and increasing contact with alumni and donors of a particular department or college, according to the release.

Elliott came to MSU in 1978 and became department head two years later.

He previously received the Distinguished Service Award from the Missouri Farm Bureau and the Distinguished Educator Award from the National Association of Colleges and Universities and Teachers of Agriculture.

The Anson Elliott Scholarship for Agricultural Leadership began last fall and goes to MSU students based on academic achievement and potential to become future agricultural leaders. The goal is to establish a permanent endowment of at least $100,000 to fund annual scholarships of $7,000.