The College of Business, Industry, Life and Agriculture (BILSA) highly values the various efforts of our staff, alumni, students, and faculty. Their superior performance is critical to fulfilling the University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s mission and we are forever grateful.

2024
College Awards
Lindahl Excellence in Teaching Award- Dr. Sameer Ahmed Lindahl Excellence in Teaching Award- Dr. Sameer Ahmed

Lindahl Excellence in Teaching Award- Dr. Sameer Ahmed

Lindahl Excellence in Teaching Award- Dr. Sameer Ahmed

Sameer Ahmed is the recipient of the 2024 Thomas and Lee Ann Lindahl Teaching Excellence Award. Sameer began at UW-Platteville in 2019 as an Assistant Professor in the School of Business specializing in Human Resource Management.  Dr. Ahmed states “I firmly believe that the learning process should be an ongoing cycle in which students not only gain knowledge, but also practice using it and acquire experience through performance.” 


One of his nominators attested to his effective teaching and rapport with students “through feedback from his engaging courses that incorporate High Impact Practices (HIPs) into the classroom.”
 

 


Outstanding Academic Advisor- Eric Rimel Outstanding Academic Advisor- Eric Rimel

Outstanding Academic Advisor- Eric Rimel

Outstanding Academic Advisor- Eric Rimel

Eric Rimel is the recipient of the 2024 BILSA Outstanding Advisor award. Eric began his career with UW-Platteville in 2008 as faculty in Industrial Studies with expertise in drafting, wood technology and metal technology. Eric typically advises 50-60 applied engineering students each semester. 


His nominator stated that Eric “is particularly talented in advising transfer students and students with academic issues.” His connections with industry are a valuable asset as he works hard to assist his advisees in finding internships and permanent jobs.   


Outstanding Employee- Jake Riniker Outstanding Employee- Jake Riniker

Outstanding Employee- Jake Riniker

Outstanding Employee- Jake Riniker

Jake Riniker is the recipient of the 2024 Outstanding Employee Award.  Jake joined the School of Business at UW-Platteville as a lecturer in 2015. An illustration of Jake’s commitment is an amazing story shared by one of Jake’s students. “I was in his class when the holidays were here. Right before Thanksgiving break, Jake made a statement to all of his classes…He told us that if anyone did not have a place to go for Thanksgiving, they were more than welcome to join him at his. He opened his home up and said he had a few people show up.”

Talk about going above and beyond.  Dr. Hollingsworth commented, “Students find him super approachable and helpful and makes sure material is presented in an understandable way.” Jake is also always willing to teach whatever we need help with, a real team player.  

Strohm Excellence in Teaching Award- Dr. Chris Baxter Strohm Excellence in Teaching Award- Dr. Chris Baxter

Strohm Excellence in Teaching Award- Dr. Chris Baxter

Strohm Excellence in Teaching Award- Dr. Chris Baxter

Chris Baxter is the recipient of the 2024 Jerry and Barbara Strohm Award for Excellence in Teaching. Chris joined his alma mater, UW-Platteville, in 2003 as faculty in the School of Agriculture and as a Nutrient Management Specialist for UW Extension. Chris teaches in both the Ecological Restoration and Soil & Crop Science programs. 


Some of Baxter’s highlights in teaching include incorporating high impact practices into courses, leading STFL’s, mentoring undergraduate research, and attending professional conferences with students.  


Chris also coaches the soils team which has won more national and international contests than any other school. Chris has a personal connection to Dr. Strohm having had him as a professor while studying at UW-Platteville.


2023
College Awards
Distinguished Employee- Dr. Mark Zidon Distinguished Employee- Dr. Mark Zidon

Distinguished Employee- Dr. Mark Zidon

Distinguished Employee- Dr. Mark Zidon

Dr. Mark Zidon is the 2023 BILSA Distinguished Employee.  Mark joined UW-Platteville in 1990 as faculty teaching in both Agricultural Education and Ag Engineering Technology.  Mark his taught and advised thousands of students during his tenure. He states “Education is not about teaching. Education is about learning.” In addition to teaching and academic advising, Mark has served as advisor for a variety of groups, most notably the Ag Mech Club and ¼ Scale Tractor team, and Ag Ed Society. He also has led the School of Ag Scholarship Committee, the FFA Career Development Events, FFA events at World Dairy Expo, and served as chair of the National FFA Ag Mech contest.

Mark has earned many accolades throughout his career including the Underkofler Teaching Excellence Award, Wisconsin Teaching Fellow Award, American Association for Ag Education Outstanding Ag Educator award, Honorary American FFA Degree and Distinguished Service awards from both the North Dakota Ag Teachers Association and the Wisconsin FFA.  Jodi gives a special shout out to Mark for working with her on her master’s degree and serving as her doctoral dissertation advisor.

Lindahl Excellence in Teaching Award- Eric Rimel Lindahl Excellence in Teaching Award- Eric Rimel

Lindahl Excellence in Teaching Award- Eric Rimel

Lindahl Excellence in Teaching Award- Eric Rimel


 Eric Rimel is the recipient of the 2023 Thomas and Lee Ann Lindahl Teaching Excellence Award. Eric began at UW-Platteville in 2008 as an Assistant Professor in Industrial Studies with expertise in drafting, wood technology and metal technology. An example of a unique learning activity Rimel conducted with his students was creating replacement window hardware for Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin. One of Eric’s students stated, “his classes are educational and challenging, while also being fun and engaging.”

An alum commented, “Professor Rimel's classes are a prime representation of how theory meets hands-on experience, and he urges the importance of non-traditional but logical thought processes. He truly cares about the quality of education his students receive and steadily works to secure co-ops, internships, and full-time jobs for them.”

Outstanding Academic Advisor- David Heimerdinger Outstanding Academic Advisor- David Heimerdinger

Outstanding Academic Advisor- David Heimerdinger

Outstanding Academic Advisor- David Heimerdinger


David Heimerdinger is the recipient of the 2023 BILSA Outstanding Advisor Award. David began his career with UW-Platteville in 2004 as a lecturer in Industrial Studies and the program coordinator for the Masters in Supply Chain Management.

In 2020, David joined the faculty as an assistant professor in both ag engineering technology and industrial studies. His advising and academic coaching skills were evident early on.  David has advised as many as 120 students in a semester from a variety of majors.  He has also served on advising committees, workgroups, and has presented workshops on advising topics. His nominator extolled his skills especially in regard to the advising of the difficult population of transfer students. 

In addition to being named the BILSA Outstanding Advisor for 2023, David was also chosen as the University Faculty Academic Advisor of the Year and he was UW-Platteville’s nominee for the Wisconsin Academic Advising Association faculty advising award. This is the second time David has been recognized as an outstanding academic advisor by the college, the first being in 2007.

Outstanding Employee- Dr. Lucie Kadjo Outstanding Employee- Dr. Lucie Kadjo

Outstanding Employee- Dr. Lucie Kadjo

Outstanding Employee- Dr. Lucie Kadjo


Dr. Lucie Kadjo is the recipient of 2023 Outstanding Employee Award.  Lucie started as an Assistant Professor in Agribusiness at UW-Platteville in 2016 and currently serves as program director for the Agbusiness program. Dr. Kadjo has worked hard to continuously improve her skills. She attended faculty college, as well as several on-campus teaching and advising workshops. She conducted a workshop at the OPID Spring Conference.

Dr. Kadjo has earned SAIF and PACCE funding for projects. Perhaps one of Lucie’s biggest endeavors is leading the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) to the national agri-marketing competition each year.

Award Resources

BILSA Dean's List

Every semester we recognize students with a grade point average of 3.75 or higher & 12 completed credits. 

View the List