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December 22, 2005 Thostenson Selected 2005 Communicator of the Year Andrew Thostenson is the 2005 Communicator of the Year, as selected by the North Dakota State University Agriculture Communication Department and members of the North Dakota Association for Communication Excellence. Thostenson is an NDSU Extension Service pesticide program specialist in the Plant Sciences Department. “Andrew Thostenson is deserving of this award because he successfully utilizes several different delivery methods of communication, including interactive video, CDs, videos, the Web and the Pesticide Quarterly newsletter,” according to those who nominated him. As a pesticide program specialist, Thostenson prepares publications, videos, CDs, Web-based information and other educational material for the safe, efficient and legal use of pesticides, He also utilizes mass media including radio, television, newspapers and other electronic means, to deliver pesticide information. Thostenson has developed Web-based and interactive video-delivered in-service training for county Extension Service agents to improve their knowledge and skills in delivering pesticide applicator training programs. He also consults on an individual basis with Extension Service agents, regulators, pesticide applicators and the public through telephone calls, personal visits and e-mail. He has developed a competency testing system (certification) to determine pesticide applicator fitness to sell and use pesticides, and maintains a database of pesticide applicators. Thostenson is vice chair of the board of directors of the U.S. Environmental Pollution Agency’s Certification and Training Assessment Group; past co-chair of the NDSU vice president for agriculture’s Agriculture Information Technology Assessment Committee, and a member of the North Dakota Legislature’s Project Safe Send Advisory Committee. Thostenson earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in plant sciences from the University of Idaho. The Communicator of the Year Award recognizes an individual who has displayed exceptional expertise and professionalism in delivering educational programs and information to the public. Selection criteria include media/materials preparation and delivery, preferably using several types of media. A luncheon in Thostenson’s honor will be at 11:45 a.m., Monday, Jan. 23, in the Prairie Rose Room of the NDSU Memorial Union. Cindy Schreiber-Beck, North Dakota Agriculture Aviation Association executive director, will speak about the value of communication in the agriculture industry. The cost for the luncheon is $7.50. Sign up for the luncheon in 7 Morrill Hall or by calling (701) 231-7881. ### Editor: Rich Mattern, (701) 231-6136, richard.mattern@ndsu.edu |
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North Dakota State University |
