Dr. Kevin Steffey (Credit: Photo by L. Brian Stauffer)

Dr. Kevin L. Steffey has been recognized for his extension entomology program at the University of Illinois, where he has been an extension specialist (100% appointment) since 1979, first with the Office of Economic Entomology, then with the Department of Crop Sciences (since 1996). His applied research and extension activities have focused on management of some of the most important insect pests of field crops in the Midwest, including corn rootworms, European corn borer, and soybean aphid. During the course of his nearly 30-year career, he has published 18 book chapters and invited monographs, 35 peer-reviewed articles in journals, and more than 240 extension publications, including many extension and industry conference proceedings. In addition to hundreds of extension presentations associated with University of Illinois Extension programs, Dr. Steffey has been invited to speak at nearly 150 educational events sponsored by other universities and the agricultural industry. Since 2000, he has developed or co-developed and coordinated nine educational programs delivered via distance-education technology to more than 3,000 people in North America.

Dr. Steffey has served the ESA as President of the North Central Branch (1998), on the Governing Board (1990-1993, 2000-2005), as ESA President (2004), and as a member of numerous committees, including the Restructuring Advisory Council (2006–2007). He was co-editor of the ESA’s Handbook of Corn Insects, published in 1999. "I have been recognized several times by the ESA, University of Illinois, and other organizations for my extension entomology efforts, but this honor surpasses them all," Steffey said. "I thank all of my colleagues, collaborators, and friends in the ESA for their support for many years; the often unjustly, unrecognized giants upon whose shoulders I have stood; and my wife, Ria, whose support has overshadowed all others."