College of Agriculture and Life Sciences alums were recognized for their contributions to agriculture at an Iowa State University Alumni Association awards ceremony Oct. 19 in Ames.

* Duane Acker received the George Washington Carver Distinguished Service Award, which was established in 2005 to honor Iowa State University alumni and friends for outstanding achievements in the agricultural, food, environmental, social and life sciences.

Acker, who lives in Atlantic, graduated from ISU with his bachelor's in animal science in 1952 and his master's degree in animal nutrition in 1953. He received his doctorate from Oklahoma State University in animal nutrition in 1957. He retired from USDA as assistant secretary for science and education in 1993, and was responsible for the Agricultural Research Service, Extension Service and Cooperative State Research Service.

* Terry Meyer received the Floyd Andre Award, established in 1978 to honor an ISU alum who has made an outstanding contribution to production agriculture, ag business or who has significantly influenced Iowa agriculture. He received his bachelor's in 1981 in biology and chemistry from Gustavus Adolphus College and his doctorate degree in 1987 in biochemistry and biophysics at ISU.

Meyer, who lives in Urbandale, is program manager for the Optimum GAT Trait at Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont Company. During his career he has co-authored 26 scientific publications, received 23 patents and has nearly 40 pending patent applications to improve agricultural crops and production practices. His position includes the development and planning of the next generation weed control technology for corn, soybeans and other crops.

* Harlan Ritchie, who lives in Okemos, Mich., received the Henry A. Wallace Award, established in 1978 to honor ISU alum who have made an outstanding contribution to national or international agriculture through leadership, research, teaching or writing. He received his bachelor's degree in animal science from Iowa State in 1957 and his doctorate degree from Michigan State University.

Ritchie is known for his outstanding leadership in implementing beef cattle improvement programs nationally and internationally. After more than 40 years, Ritchie retired as a distinguished professor of animal science at Michigan State University. During his career he has influenced thousands of students, livestock producers and scientists. His portrait was hung in the Saddle and Sirloin Club Gallery in Louisville in 1994, which is considered the highest honor in the livestock and meat industry.