Mason Rutgers (Wessel Lab) Recipient of the Eugene P. Whiteside Pedology Award
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Email"Between fieldwork in the Arctic, conference presentations, and mentoring emerging pedologists, this award has strengthened both my research trajectory and my commitment to building a vibrant soil science community."
Mason Rutgers (Wessel Lab) wins the Eugene P. Whiteside Pedology Award, which funded travel, equipment, and participation in the 2025 Alaska Soils and Vegetation Geography Field Tour, a two-week trek along a transect from Anchorage to Prudhoe Bay led by soil scientists at the University of Alaska–Fairbanks.
From studying arctic soil morphology and soil organic carbon dynamics to witnessing frost-heave, thermokarst development, and post-fire vegetation patterns firsthand, "the trip offered a rare immersive experience in frozen landscapes and soil processes,” Mason says. “We camped in Denali National Park, Gates of the Arctic, and near sites such as Matanuska Glacier and the Toolik Arctic Research Station, which provided daily access to some of the most rapidly changing ecosystems on the planet,” Mason says. "I am deeply grateful to the department and the Whiteside family for enabling this transformative experience.”
Mason also attended the Soil Science Society of America Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City, where he presented his graduate research: Examining Podzolization Induced by Afforestation of a Sandy Prairie Soil in Lower Michigan. "Connecting with researchers across soil chemistry, morphology, and land-use change offered valuable feedback and new collaborations as this project continues to develop."
Back on campus, Mason guided the MSU Soil Judging Team through a strong season, placing 3rd at the Region III Contest hosted in Bad Axe, MI. "Since beginning graduate school in 2024, I’ve had the rewarding role of serving as a team coach. My own three-year undergraduate experience on the University of Nebraska–Lincoln soil judging team played a key role in steering me toward pedology, and I now see the same impact on students I mentor."
Soil judging offers unmatched hands-on training, as students spend many hours in the field learning to interpret soil morphology and landscape processes with one-on-one guidance from professionals, Mason says. "Many participants who join out of curiosity end up pursuing soil science more seriously, sometimes even changing majors or launching undergraduate research projects in our lab. Coaching has strengthened my teaching, communication, and leadership skills while also helping recruit the next generation of soil scientists.
"Between fieldwork in the Arctic, conference presentations, and mentoring emerging pedologists, this year has strengthened both my research trajectory and my commitment to building a vibrant soil science community."
