The Budget and Advocacy Committee and the Committee on Legislation and Policy of the APLU Board on Agriculture Assembly
CARET Awards
The Lifetime of Service to CARET Award
The Lifetime of Service to CARET Award is an award given to a longstanding CARET delegate who has concluded their service to CARET and who has made significant contributions to CARET over many years to enhance the national support and understanding of the importance of the land-grant university system’s agricultural research, extension, and teaching programs. This award is presented only when individuals have exemplified extraordinarily rare service to CARET and the land-grant university community.
2025 Lifetime Service Winner
Dr. Claud Evans
Oklahoma State University
Dr. Claud Evans served as a CARET delegate for Oklahoma State University from 1999 to 2024. At the time of his appointment, he was serving as a Governor-appointed Regent for the Oklahoma State University/A&M System. He served two 8-year terms on the Board of Regents and served as Board Chair twice in that period. The Board of Regents is the governing body for Oklahoma State University and the associated A&M institutions, including the Oklahoma 1890 land-grant institution, Langston University.
Dr. Evans served as the Chair of CARET and has been a ready advisor and advocate for the work of Oklahoma State’s Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. He has been invaluable to Oklahoma State in many ways; providing sage counsel, encouraging the leadership team to reach out to those who had not been served by their land-grant institutions, and encouraging us to work with our colleagues at Oklahoma’s other land-grant institutions (Langston University, College of the Muscogee Nation).
He delivered the Seamon Knapp Lecture at the virtual APLU Conference held in 2021. His story is the epitome of what a CARET delegate should embody. He has been a stalwart for CARET, serving in a number of leadership roles, in addition to his time as CARET Chair, including leadership for the Southern Region CARET group and in strategic planning efforts. Dr. Evans has served on several USDA advisory boards at the request of the Secretary of Agriculture, and particularly in advisory roles related to needs and services for minority farmers and ranchers. Following his two 8-year terms on the OSU/A&M Regents, he continued to serve on the advisory Trustees board for Langston University. Dr. Evans has been an effective advocate and kept in regular contact with his Representative in the House and with both Oklahoma Senators. Oklahoma’s delegation knows him well and respects his counsel and insights.
Dr. Evans is a proud alumnus of Oklahoma State University, and OSU is proud of his achievements as a veterinarian, as a Regent, and as a leader. He has received OSU’s highest honors as an alumnus: Distinguished Alumnus, and OSU Hall of Fame inductee. Dr. Evans provided 24 outstanding years of service to CARET and is the ideal recipient of the Lifetime Service to CARET Award.
The Meritorious Service to CARET Award
The Meritorious Service to CARET Award is an award given to an individual who has supported CARET and the land-grant university system. The award also may be given to a CARET delegate who has concluded their service to CARET or other individual who has made significant contributions to CARET to enhance the national support and understanding of the importance of the land-grant university system’s agricultural research, extension, and teaching programs.
2025 Meritorious Service to CARET Award
Dr. Paul Patterson
Auburn University
As the Dean of the College of Agriculture and Director of Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station at Auburn University, Dr. Paul Patterson consistently demonstrates his dedication to research, Extension, and land-grant universities. In 2016 he assumed the deanship and has spearheaded a remarkable 35 percent increase in funding for his college, allowing for the expansion of vital agriculture research and Extension programs. His determination to secure funding is a testament to his vision to enhance the university’s impact on agriculture.
Prior to his role at Auburn, Dr. Patterson was Interim Dean at Arizona State University. He not only established a robust research program that has been nationally recognized but also increased student enrollment by 50%.
Dr. Patterson’s leadership and contributions extend beyond both universities. He has been actively engaged in the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) for many years. Dr. Patterson has served in numerous roles for APLU, such as Chair of the Board on Agriculture Assembly Budget Advocacy Committee and the Chair for Southern Administrative Heads. His active engagement highlights his commitment to advocating for the land-grant system on a national level. Through his leadership roles within APLU, he has shared his expertise and vision, fostered collaboration and enhanced the understanding of the crucial role land-grant universities play on agricultural research and education.
Dr. Patterson has always been a great supporter of CARET, and knows that without a doubt, people are our greatest resource. He exemplifies the ideals of the Meritorious Service to CARET Award. His unwavering dedication, impact leadership, and significant contributions to the land-grant university system make him exceptionally deserving of this honor.