For her research work on putting green rootzone management, Maureen Kahiu, Ph.D., has been named this year’s recipient of the Musser International Turfgrass Foundation Award of Excellence.
The award is given to outstanding doctoral candidates who, in the final phase of their graduate studies, demonstrate overall excellence in turfgrass research.
“It is an incredible honor to be selected as this year’s Musser Award of Excellence recipient, and I’m genuinely humbled to have my name listed among some of the greatest turfgrass scientists,” said Kahiu. “This achievement is owed to the steadfast support of my husband, Matthew, and my family.”
The foundation also named Elisabeth Kitchin as the inaugural recipient of the H. Burton Musser Masters Scholarship.
In 2016, Kahiu (right) received a bachelor’s of science degree in environmental horticulture and landscaping technology from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology in Kenya. She completed a master’s in agronomy in 2022, with a minor in plant pathology, at Penn State University, where her research focused on demethylation-inhibitor fungicides and Clarireedia spp.
In 2025, Kahiu earned a doctorate in plant, soil and environmental sciences at the University of Tennessee, with a perfect 4.0 GPA. Her doctoral research focused on putting green root-zone organic matter dynamics and turfgrass performance, and she has produced multiple peer-reviewed publications.
Kahiu currently serves as an assistant extension educator of turfgrass and weed ecology at the University of Connecticut. In this role, she teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in turfgrass and weed science, conducts applied research, advises student organizations and develops professional training programs for turfgrass managers.
“The Award means a great deal to me, and I am truly thankful to everyone who has guided and encouraged me through my journey, especially Dr. Jim Brosnan, Dr. John Kaminski and Mr. Charles Munyori,” said Kahiu. “Their mentorship has shown me the endless possibilities in this wonderful industry, that I plan to continue serving through my teaching and extension responsibilities at UConn.”
The criteria for the award include “graduate work, academic record, dissertation, publications, leadership and extracurricular activities,” according to the foundation.
To date, awards have been granted to doctoral students from the universities: Arizona, Auburn, Cornell, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Carolina State, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue, Rutgers, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Virginia Tech.
“All of the applicants for the Award of Excellence are of the highest caliber,” said Frank Dobie, president of the Musser International Turfgrass Foundation. “We strive to select the one candidate that we feel is the best of the best and, this year, that was Dr. Kahiu.”
The Award means a great deal to me, and I am truly thankful to everyone who has guided and encouraged me through my journey, especially Dr. Jim Brosnan, Dr. John Kaminski and Mr. Charles Munyori. Their mentorship has shown me the endless possibilities in this wonderful industry, that I plan to continue serving through my teaching and extension responsibilities at UConn.
Previous recipients include: 2025 — Erick Begitschke, University of Georgia; 2024 — John Peppers, Auburn; 2023 – Wendell Hutchens, North Carolina State; 2022 – Devon Carroll, Tennessee; Travis Russell, Penn State; 2021 – Cameron Stephens, NCSU; 2020 – Garrett Heineck, Minnesota; 2019 – Phillip Vines, Rutgers; 2018 – Patrick Burgess, Rutgers; 2017 – Matthew Jeffries, NCSU; David Jespersen, Rutgers; 2016 – Lisa Beirn Rutgers; 2015 – Mattew Elmore, Texas A&M; Joseph Roberts, Maryland; 2014 – James McCurdy, Mississippi State; 2013 – Emily Merewitz, Rutgers; 2010 – James Rutledge, Purdue; 2009 – Jo Anne Crouch, Rutgers; 2008 – Adam Hixson, NCSU; 2007 – Aaron Patton, Purdue; 2006 – Kurt Steinke, Wisconsin; Sara Thompson, NCSU; 2005 – John Kaminski, Maryland; 2003 – Eric Watkins, Rutgers; 2002 – Lane Treadway, Georgia; 2001 – Stacy Bonos, Rutgers; 2000 – Matthew Fagerness, NCSU; 1999 – William Von Sigler, Purdue; 1998 – Andrew McNitt, Penn State; 1997 – Rob Golembiewski, Ohio State; 1996 – Daniel Dalthrop, Cornell; 1995 – Paul Johnson, Minnesota; 1994 – Jennifer Johnson-Cicalese, Nebraska; 1991 – Grady Miller, Auburn; Eric Miltner, Michigan State; Karen Plumely, Rutgers; 1992 – Richard Davis, Purdue; Jeff Klingenberg, Nebraska; Zach Reicher, Purdue; 1991 – James Bond, Tennessee; 1990 – Phil Allen, Minnesota; Meoldee Fraser, Rutgers; Virginia Lehman, Texas A&M; 1989 – Andrew Ralowicz, Arizona; Gwen Stahnke, Nebraska.
Kitchin (right), the recipient of the H. Burton Musser Masters Scholarship, earned a bachelor’s degree in agroecology and sustainable food systems from North Carolina State University, where she was introduced to the turfgrass industry while working under Jim Kerns, Ph.D. She earned a master’s degree in plant pathology, physiology, and weed science from Virginia Tech under David McCall, Ph.D. and Shawn Askew, Ph.D.
“We established this new $5,000 scholarship to identify up-and-coming turf graduate students who have the potential to become tomorrow’s scientists and educators,” Dobie said. “Kitchin is exactly the kind of excellent student and individual we had in mind.”
Her research focused on precision turfgrass management, including machine learning for pest detection, targeted pesticide applications, and the use of soil moisture sensors and modeling to improve irrigation decision-making. Kitchin is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in plant pathology, physiology and weed science at Virginia Tech under McCall.
“I am unbelievably honored to receive the Musser Masters Scholarship,” said Kitchin. “I could not have achieved this without the incredible support of my parents, Kyle and Helena, my sisters, Emma and Eden, and my incredible friends and colleagues. The most gratifying part of the turfgrass industry is the incredible company I keep, and I am so grateful to each of my mentors, colleagues, and friends for supporting me along the way.”
