UT AgResearch honored Niki Labbé, Center for Renewable Carbon director, and David Harper, School of Natural Resources professor, for their achievements and national and international prominence during the UT AgResearch Toast to Success on September 3.

Keith Carver, senior vice chancellor and senior vice president of the UT Institute of Agriculture, and Hongwei Xin, dean of UT AgResearch, presented Labbé with the title of Endowed Chair of Natural Resources and named Harper the UT AgResearch Endowed Professor in Natural Resources. The titles recognize their leadership, dedication, and collaborative efforts to advance natural resources research and innovation.

“Thank you to UT AgResearch for this recognition, which really belongs to a much larger team. Together we have built expertise in Tennessee feedstocks, strong relationships with our manufacturing partners, and the research capacity to lead a national effort on Circular Bioeconomy Systems,” Labbé says. “This investment will help us continue connecting these strengths and build a bioeconomy for our region that will last.”

Harper says he doesn’t enjoy the limelight but appreciates being recognized for his 22 years of research and mentorship at UT. “I strongly believe that it is important to recognize the work of staff and faculty to raise our stature statewide and nationally over multiple years at UT and UTIA,” Harper says. “I am proud of my legacy and especially the students, postdocs, research associates, and faculty that I’ve had the privilege to work with. I don’t think we always have to look outside to find the rockstars or people who will positively change the world. I think we have many within UT, UTIA, and SNR. I hope that we can continue to build an endowment to reward and show others the same appreciation for their work that they deserve.”