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Malone, Talley and Vonck honored for public service
3:04 p.m., Oct. 11, 2006--George “Bud” Malone, UD poultry scientist and extension poultry specialist, John Talley, director of the Delaware Geological Survey (DGS), and Kevin Vonck, senior research assistant and deputy state water coordinator, received the 2006 Ratledge Family Awards for Delaware Public Service on Oct. 5. The Ratledge family established the award to recognize the contributions of University of Delaware community members to the well-being of all Delawareans. The $1,000 award is intended to encourage and recognize significant public service by faculty, staff and students. Malone is a recognized leader in applied poultry research and is in high demand as a public speaker. A poultry expert at UD for 31 years, Malone's research has instituted creative and innovative solutions to environmental issues associated with poultry production. Poultry areas nationwide are implementing Malone's idea to use trees around poultry houses as filters from dust, ammonia and noise. During Delaware's avian flu outbreak in 2004, Malone developed a successful strategy for containing the virus and reducing human exposure to the virus. Malone said it is an honor to receive the award. “I've only had one job in my life and that's with the University of Delaware,” Malone said. Talley has worked for DGS and UD for 34 years. He is highly regarded and recognized for his research related to the applied geology, hydrology and geologic hazards through Delaware. Talley is an expert on water issues pertaining to the occurrence, availability, quantity and quality of ground water, as well as surface water resources. He has served on many boards, committees and task forces for state, municipal, University and federal agencies, including the Delaware Water Supply Coordinating Council and the U.S. Department of Interior's Outer Continental Shelf Advisory Committee. Talley said his work at the DGS continues to be gratifying. “I've enjoyed coming to work everyday,” Talley said. “It's been fun. The University has been extremely supportive of our efforts. I'm sincerely grateful for the opportunities the University has given me the 34 years I have been here.” Kevin Vonck was the youngest person and only UD student ever elected to the Newark City Council. While on council, Vonck established programs to enhance the relations between students and residents and promoted policies to increase pedestrian, bicycle and public safety awareness. Vonck graduated from UD in 2001, received a master of public adminstration degree in 2003 and is currently working on a doctorate in urban affairs and public policy. As a research assistant in the Water Resources Agency at UD, Vonck made significant contributions to the quality of life in Delaware and increased awareness of the critical need for effective environmental governance. He has researched and edited publications on drought management, watershed management/restoration and source water protection. Vonck has streamlined regional water supply and demand databases and developed floodplain atlases for each of Delaware's counties, and his presentations have advanced knowledge and understanding of innovative solutions to environmental problems and other water resource issues. Vonck said he is grateful to his colleagues at the Water Resources Agency for their help and support. “I think they're ready to get rid of me,” Vonck said. “My first year, there was the drought of the century. My second year, there was the flood of the century. My third year, there was the snowstorm of the century.” Raffel said the work of the award recipients have influenced different areas of the state. “Our recipients have really impacted the state of Delaware,” he said. “They have improved our economy, our schools, our environment and our lives.” Article by Julia Parmley, AS '07 |
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