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The 1890 Association of Research Directors (ARD) Symposium is bi-annual event that celebrates advancements in agricultural research and innovation. Kentucky State University College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources, achieved resounding success at the 2024 ARD Symposium by showcasing cutting-edge research and student initiatives. Held from April 6 to April 9 in Nashville, Tennessee, the event attracted over 1,700 participants from across the nation.

Dr. Avanish Tope, Interim Director of the Land Grant Program at Kentucky State University (KSYU), expressed congratulations to the winners of the ARD Graduate Student Awards and to Dr. Anuj Chiluwal, the recipient of the prestigious B. D. Mayberry Young Scientist Award.

KYSU Student Bhoj Raj Bhattarai stated, “ARD is a great platform for students who share the interest of broadening wisdom through exploring more research work from peers and work on networking and finding the people who share the common interest.”

The award recipients were honored for their exceptional achievements in various categories:

• Sudip Poudel: 2nd Place in the Graduate Oral Competitive category, Section- Plant Production, Health and Plant Products. Mentor: Dr. Anuj Chiluwal.
• Samuel Oshikoya: 3rd Place in the Graduate Oral Competitive category, Section- Plant Production, Health and Plant Products. Mentor: Dr. Buddhi Gyawali.
• Ms. Alyson Whitted: 3rd Place in the Graduate Poster Competitive category, Section: Youth, Family and Economic Development. Mentor: Dr. Buddhi Gyawali.
• Dr. Anuj Chiluwal [Assistant Professor of Agronomy]: Recipient of the prestigious B. D. Mayberry Young Scientist Award.

In his remarks, Samuel Oshikoya, one of the student award winners, expressed "It was really an amazing moment getting the chance to network with researchers. Thank you to Dr. Gyawali for the opportunity to explore and his mentorship,” stated Oshikoya, “coupled with the fact that I put in a lot of effort into my oral competition, I honestly did not have that competitive spirit, it was fun doing my thing my own way which made the winning a great surprise and made me believe that whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well."

Dr. Marcus Bernard, Interim Dean of the College of Agriculture at KSYU, commended “The ARD Symposium is a unique opportunity for 1890 HBCU students, faculty and leaders to showcase talented student and faculty researchers, as well as network with other leaders across the nineteen 1890 Institutions. I’m proud that KSU was well represented and moreover, this was an exciting event and KSU continues to demonstrate top tier students and faculty.”

Since its inception in 1976, the ARD Research Symposium has served as a symbol of innovation, highlighting the remarkable achievements of research scientists and students in the agricultural sciences.