Steven G. Pueppke is the recipient of the 2026 Special Recognition Award for Promoting International Understanding, which recognizes faculty and staff who have contributed to internationalizing the campus and MSU programs globally.

Pueppke first came to MSU in the late 1960s as an undergraduate and returned in 2006 as director of the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, which is now known as AgBioResearch. He held a number of other administrative positions at MSU, including associate vice-president for research and graduate studies, before retiring in 2021 as professor emeritus of plant, soil and microbial sciences. He is currently senior scientist in Asia Hub.

Pueppke served as director of the National Soybean Research Laboratory at the University of Illinois and as associate dean for research in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois.

Pueppke’s commitment to agricultural and environmental research and international collaboration is clearly reflected in his work with Asia Hub. Beginning in 2018, Pueppke continued his service to MSU as a volunteer senior scientist, deeply engaged in his current focus: the Water-Energy-Food nexus in Asia. His deep institutional knowledge and his understanding of geopolitical and institutional dynamics shaping international research prove to be invaluable daily.

Pueppke’s approach to advancing science is rooted in strategy and collaboration, grounded in mutual respect and shared goals. How he navigates the complexities of international landscapes and inspires meaningful dialogue has raised Asia Hub’s reputation and impact.

Asia Hub Director Jiaguo Qi wrote in his nomination letter, “What truly distinguishes Dr. Pueppke is his heartfelt investment in genuine partnership. He engages not as a distant expert but as a committed colleague who listens deeply to local contexts and aspirations. He consistently frames our work around two core questions: ‘How does this create value for our partners?’ and ‘How does this strengthen MSU’s role as a trusted collaborator?’”

Pueppke also dedicates himself as a mentor to junior faculty, postdocs and students as he continues to serve on Ph.D. committees both at MSU and across partner networks, and he leads workshops to offer guidance to early-career researchers in Central Asia.

“I’m just not the ‘kick back and enjoy’ kind of person. There was always work to do back on the farm, and my studies and career kept me very busy,” said Pueppke, who grew up on a farm in North Dakota. “In ‘retirement,’ I need to stay busy. My time in Asia Hub is a key part of this.”

During his tenure at the University of Illinois, Pueppke worked with several senior faculty members who had dedicated their careers to international agriculture. Pueppke said it didn’t take long before he realized that if the university wanted to serve the state’s agriculture needs, he and his colleagues “needed to understand the world beyond the physical boundaries of the state and also the need to educate the children of the taxpayers to be successful in this world.”

From that point on, Pueppke volunteered for every international experience that came along.

“I wrote about international agriculture, designed a global academy to kindle the interest of young faculty in international work, gave talks all over the world — even served as the warmup act for one of our Nobel prize winners who spoke to the Mexican legislative assembly in Mexico City,” he said.

Pueppke’s commitment to MSU’s international future is constant.

“I found kindred spirits — Steve Hanson, key among them — and equivalent opportunities when I left Illinois and came to MSU in 2006, but the important stuff happened about 10 years later when I left administration,” Pueppke said.

“Decades of administrative experience taught me the importance of integrated approaches to solving complex problems, how to be strategic, and to be a better communicator — and to have fun working!”

Qi called Pueppke “the embodiment of the award,” in his nomination letter.

Pueppke says he offers guidance to his Asia Hub colleagues and to the unit’s international partners — doing his best to “get us out of our comfort zones.”

“I've conducted a number of workshops, most recently on scientific communication.  I have put a lot of effort into sharpening the abilities of a couple dozen international students and other foreign colleagues to communicate science.”

“It is deeply rewarding work, especially in the Asia Hub environment — the most supportive that I've encountered in a half century of banging around on university campuses,” said Pueppke.