September 20, 2024
Charles Rice honored with NIU Alumni Achievement in the Sciences Award
Each year, Northern Illinois University, or NIU, awards the accomplishments of alumni who have achieved important professional and personal success while pursuing civic, cultural and charitable activities. This year, NIU selected Charles Rice, university distinguished professor of agronomy, to receive the honor of Alumni Achievement in the Sciences.
Alumni Achievement Awards are awarded by NIU's Alumni Association, recognizing alumni in the categories of the arts, the sciences, public service, and business and industry. The NIU has been selecting alumni to receive these awards for more than 25 years.
Rice joined K-State agronomy in 1988, and he specializes in soil microbiology, carbon cycling and climate change. Rice's research and work on climate change led him to become co-winner of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for his work with the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Rice has also conducted research projects supported by more than $905 million in grants from numerous governmental agencies. He served on the U.S. National Academies Board of Agriculture and Natural Resources from 2010-2022 and as chair from 2019-2022. He is a fellow of the Soil Science Society of America, the American Society of Agronomy, the Association for the Advancement of the Sciences, and Sigma Xi. Accomplishments such as these are recognized by the NIU Alumni Association as significant contributions to Rice's field.
"The department of agronomy is proud of Dr. Rice's accomplishment, and I am delighted to see that his alma mater is honoring him for his outstanding achievements," said Raj Khosla, head of the agronomy department. "Dr. Rice has made tremendous contributions in the field of soil microbiology and ecology and has earned global notoriety. The Alumni Award is a testament to his dedication, hard work, and the positive impact he continues to make."
Learn more about the NIU Alumni Association Awards and read the announcement.