Sioux City, Iowa — Dr. Thomas Paulsen, Dean of the School of Agriculture and Aviation at Morningside University, was presented with the Distinguished Service Award by the Iowa FFA Association during the 97th Iowa FFA Leadership Conference in Ames. This honor is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional and sustained support for agricultural education and the FFA mission in Iowa.

Dr. Paulsen’s connection to FFA began as a student. He was an active FFA member at Atlantic High School, where he served as chapter treasurer and president of the Atlantic FFA Chapter—an experience that helped launch a career now spanning more than 38 years in agricultural education.

He taught high school agricultural education for 21 years, guiding students and FFA chapters at Lynville-Sully and Carroll, and since 2008, has served in higher education as a teacher educator, preparing nearly 200 Iowa agriculture teachers—many of whom now lead award-winning FFA programs of their own.

Dr. Paulsen served several years on the Iowa FFA Board of Directors and has supported the Iowa Agricultural Sales Career Development Event (CDE) since 2009 by developing realistic sales scenarios and written exams that challenge and inspire student participants.

He is also the recipient of the Honorary Iowa FFA Degree, as well as Honorary Chapter Degrees from the Lynnville-Sully and Carroll Area FFA Chapters, recognizing his decades of dedicated service to students, educators, and the broader ag education community.

“FFA has shaped my life—as a student, teacher, mentor, and leader,” said Dr. Paulsen. “I’m incredibly grateful for this recognition and even more grateful for the opportunity to work with students and educators who carry this mission forward every day.”

The Distinguished Service Award is one of the highest honors the Iowa FFA Association bestows, celebrating those who have left a lasting impact on agricultural education in the state.