The University of Kentucky School of Human Environmental Sciences recently announced the Patricia Brantley Todd Awards for Excellence in research, extension and academic leadership during their All-School Conference.

The awards are named for Todd, who is an alumna of the school and the wife of former UK President Lee T. Todd, Jr. The Todd’s provided funding for the awards to recognize and award excellence among the school’s faculty and staff. The first awards were given in 2009. Winners receive a plaque and $1,000.

The 2011 award recipients are:

Research: Min-Young Lee. A faculty member in the Department of Merchandising, Apparel and Textiles, Lee’s research focuses on corporate social responsibility, socially responsible consumption, consumer behavior in a changing retail environment and international retailing. Since coming to UK in 2007, she has had 12 refereed publications in scholarly journals. She received the American Collegiate Retailing Association’s Best Paper Award in 2006 and 2008. The Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles awarded her with the Best Research Paper in 2009.

Extension: Janet Johnson. Johnson has served in several statewide leadership roles while serving the people of Allen County as a family and consumer sciences agent with the UK Cooperative Extension Service. She is chair of the “Plate It Up, Kentucky Proud” project committee. This program is a joint venture of the UK College of Agriculture and the Kentucky Department of Agriculturedeveloped to increase the consumption of locally grown foods. She’s co-chair of the Kentucky Extension Leadership Development curriculum committee, which focuses on family leadership teaching resources for extension agents. Additionally, she represents extension on the Kentucky Agritourism Advisory Council.

Academic Leadership: Donna Smith. Throughout her 27-year career in the Department of Family Sciences, Smith has focused on teaching. Due to positive feedback from students, Smith has received the school’s Outstanding Teacher Award three times. She also received the university’s Ken Freedman Outstanding Advisor Award in 2008. Smith serves as the department’s director of undergraduate studies. She’s also a member of the university’s Undergraduate Council, which approves all academic courses. In addition to teaching, she’s recognized at the local, state and national levels for her research on divorce and step parenting.