Established in 1991
Established in 1991 to recognize outstanding teaching and research, the awards program expanded in 1992 to include professional and support staff, bringing the total number of awards to six. In 1996, the program grew further with the addition of two excellence in Extension awards and an additional staff award. The inclusion of an advising award in 2001 brought the total number of awards to 10. In 2018, the NDSU Extension awards were revamped, with the Myron and Muriel Johnsrud Excellence in Extension/Outreach Award being renamed the Extension Early Career Award.
2020 to present
The 30th Annual Faculty and Staff Awards program was held virtually in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
After two years of virtual ceremonies, the 2022 program returned in person but was also accessible by Zoom webinar.
In 2023, the Celebrate, Integrate and Embrace the Power of Diversity Award was added to the program. It honors an individual or group who has made a significant impact for work related to the NDSU Agriculture strategic goal: celebrate, integrate and embrace the power of access and opportunity. This award was later renamed the Access and Opportunity Award.
The 2024 awards ceremony was part of the NDSU All Ag Conference. The 2025 awards program returns to the NDSU Memorial Union and is scheduled for December 3, 2025.