Friends of the University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences came out in force last week for the annual Salute to Agriculture tailgate and football game. The tailgate was held just prior to the Sept. 9 football game against Western Kentucky.

Among the guests and dignitaries that took the stage, veteran farm broadcaster and honorary ACES degree-holder Orion Samuelson welcomed the crowd and served as master of ceremonies for the day. Samuelson told his customary Olie and Lena joke, to much applause, and introduced several of the recipients of the Orion Samuelson Scholarship. Among the students he interviewed were Megan Vogt and Kaity Spangler. Both are seniors in agricultural education.

“Stay in agricultural education!” Samuelson implored them. “We need more ag teachers!”

ACES Dean Kim Kidwell then took to the stage, reminding the crowd that she’d only started 10 and a half months ago, and the game was to be her first Illini football game in 31 years. Kidwell came to ACES from Washington State University and is a renowned wheat breeder and geneticist. She grew up in Danville, Ill., and earned ACES degrees in genetics and development, and agricultural science. Kidwell received her master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in plant breeding and plant genetics.

University of Illinois President Timothy Killeen welcomed Kidwell and told the crowd he was exceptionally proud of her work on behalf of the College of ACES. Josh Whitman, University of Illinois athletic director, no doubt had a busy day but stopped by the Salute to Ag tailgate tent to thank everyone for supporting the Illini and agriculture.

University of Illinois Chancellor Robert Jones also addressed the crowd. With his crop physiology background, Jones got a warm welcome from those in attendance. A Georgia native, Jones, 65, earned a bachelor’s degree in agronomy from Fort Valley State College, a master’s degree in crop physiology from the University of Georgia, and a doctorate in crop physiology from the University of Missouri, Columbia. He began his academic career as a faculty member at Minnesota and became an internationally respected authority on plant physiology.

 Click through the slideshow below to see photos from the Salute to Agriculture tailgate.