At the annual CALS Awards event, held each spring to celebrate some of the key people behind the college’s accomplishments, one moment of recognition tends to be a little more boisterous than others.

The Arthur J. and Ellen A. Maurer Extra Mile Award is given to someone who has provided above-and-beyond service to undergrads or grad students. Its conferral always attracts a band of students who rush in from classes to get loud for their favorite instructor, advisor, or mentor.

“It definitely has its own cheering section,” says Minda Maurer who, along with her brother Brant Maurer, serves as liaison for the award to the college. Minda and Brant are the children of the late Ellen and Arthur.

Ellen MS’81 established the award in 1999 with a gift in memory of Arthur (Art), a CALS poultry and food science professor known for his remarkable dedication to students. It has since been renamed to also honor Ellen, who enjoyed a prolific career at CALS as a teacher, science communicator, and photographer. The award includes a monetary stipend, and its nominations come directly from students.

“Our dad did tons of research for the university and received lots of grants,” Brant says. “But what he enjoyed the most was advising — working with the students and helping them do great things. Both of our parents loved opportunities for one-on-one mentoring, to shape individuals who can make change. And that’s why, for this award, students get to decide who had the biggest impact on them.”

The 2025 recipient was Eric Ronk BS’11, a member of the teaching faculty in the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences. Ronk teaches critical intro courses and labs as well as dairy herd management classes. He also advises the Badger Dairy Club and coaches the CALS team for the Dairy Challenge, a competition where students tour and analyze a realworld dairy operation and then develop and present recommendations for improvement.

Ronk says the most enjoyable part of his work is guiding students through a transformative time, from fledgling first-years to budding professionals, and helping them achieve their goals. This makes the student nominations for the Extra Mile Award —which cited Ronk’s mentorship, teaching, dedication, time commitment, and encouraging nature — particularly significant to him.

“It’s the most meaningful award I’ve received in my career,” Ronk says. “Sometimes life is so busy that you don’t always see the impact you’re making, and this feels like real appreciation for hard work and extra effort.”

Brant and Minda have seen firsthand what their parents well knew: The true value recipients get from being recognized is knowing they’ve contributed to the success of CALS students. It’s part of the sense of community they feel at the college, which is somewhat of a second home for them.

“We grew up there,” Minda says, and both she and Brant remember their parents’ students and colleagues from all over the world becoming a part of their family. They were regulars at the Thanksgiving table, people they made a point to visit when traveling the globe. And many of those friends and family have since contributed to the Extra Mile Award fund. That “family feel” keeps the Maurers coming back to attend the award event whenever possible.

“And,” Minda says, “it really does feel wonderful and good that we can help someone help someone else.”

⊕ Support the Student Supporters

To contribute to the Arthur J. and Ellen A. Maurer Extra Mile Award fund, contact Jodi Wickham by email or 608-206-6058.