CASNR Today
E-NEWSLETTER / NOV. 2009
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 11
ALUMNI NEWS
Tech honors three
leaders as ‘Outstanding
Agriculturalists’
Texas Tech University’s
College of Agricultural Sciences
and Natural Resources honored
three Texas leaders with the
Gerald W. Thomas Outstanding
Agriculturalist awards on
Thursday (Nov. 5) during its
annual Pig Roast, which honors
scholarship donors, recipients
and intercollegiate judging
teams, at the Lubbock
Memorial Civic Center Banquet
Hall. more »
STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS
Laurent named ‘National
Beef Ambassador’
A Texas Tech University
freshman from Winnsboro was
tapped as a new National Beef
Ambassador by the American
National CattleWomen
Foundation (ANCW) at a
special ceremony on Oct. 11 in
Fort Smith, Ark. more »
Geological Survey grant awarded for study of climate change
Researchers at Texas Tech University are working to discover the secrets of one of the
state’s most perplexing water problems: the influence of climate change on Texas surface
waters. A new three-year project, funded by $634,000 from the U.S. Geological Survey, will
bring together a team of experts to learn how to model, study and predict the influence of
the changes. more »
Texas Tech No. 1 again in Nat’l Agronomy Quiz Bowl
Texas Tech University’s Agronomy Club held the top spot again at the Students of
Agronomy, Soils, and Environmental Sciences (SASES) National Meeting, held Nov. 1-5 in
Pittsburg. It’s the third year in a row for the Red Raiders to walk away as national quiz bowl
champions. more »
‘Who’s Who’ honors a dozen CASNR students at Merket Center
Twelve outstanding students from Texas Tech University’s College of Agricultural Sciences
and Natural Resources will be included in latest edition of “Who’s Who Among Students in
American Colleges and Universities,” according to university officials. more »
In Profile: Tom Thompson and PSS’s New Viticulture & Enology Programs
FACULTY HIGHLIGHTS
Top livestock judging
team coach joins faculty
Ryan Rathmann, one of the
nation’s leading livestock
judging team coaches, has
been named an assistant
professor in Texas Tech
The Texas wine industry has been growing slowly for a number of years, but in the last five
to 10 years, it’s exploded. “The Southern High Plains is great for grape growing,” says Tom
Thompson, chairman of Tech’s plant and soil science department. more »
Tech’s Bruton leads meat judging team to American Royal victory
Texas Tech University’s Meat Judging Team continued their winning streak with a firstplace finish at the American Royal Meat Judging Contest on Sunday (Oct. 18) in Omaha,
Neb. They posted a 108-point victory over the nearest competitor, Oklahoma State
University. more »
University’s Department of
Animal and Food Sciences. He
began his teaching and
research duties on Sept. 1.
more »
Saddle Up: Texas Tech riders win at 60th Annual Rodeo
Erica Creswell and Luke Creasy of Texas Tech University were awarded championship titles
on Oct. 17 during the 60th consecutive NIRA rodeo. Creswell, a senior from Weatherford,
received the all-around champion cowgirl title after competing against more than 200
female contestants in the final rodeo competition. more »
Slideshow: CASNR research cotton harvest at Quaker Farm
A newly-arrived John Deere 7455 cotton harvester was used for the first time this season as
part of Professor of Crop Physiology Craig Bednarz and his research team’s on-going cotton
research program. The scientific group at CASNR’s Quaker Avenue Research Farm studies
relationships among stand establishment, seed quality and lint yield. Photos: N. Martin.
Learn More >>
The Thread: CASNR tees crank up style
The broad diversity of student organizations within Texas Tech’s College of Agricultural
Sciences and Natural Resources can be seen in its eclectic variety of specialty T-shirts. From
blazing reds to subdued beige, the shirts reflect in interests, pride and deep down belief
that, “From Here, It’s Possible.” Photos: N. Martin. Learn More >>
Administrative Council
DR. JOHN BURNS
Dean
john.burns@ttu.edu
DR. STEVE FRAZE
Agricultural Education
& Communications
steven.fraze@ttu.edu
DR. NORMAN HOPPER
Associate Dean for Academic
& Student Programs
n.hopper@ttu.edu
DR. KEVIN POND
Animal & Food Sciences
kevin.pond@ttu.edu
DR. SUKANT MISRA
Associate Dean for Research
sukant.misra@ttu.edu
DR. EDUARDO SEGARRA
Agricultural & Applied Economics
eduardo.segarra@ttu.edu
DR. ALON KVASHNY
Landscape Architecture
alon.kvashny@ttu.edu
DR. PHILIP GIPSON
Natural Resources Management
philip.gipson@ttu.edu
College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
PO Box 42123
Lubbock, Texas 79409-2123
806.742.2808 phone
806.742.2836 fax
norman.martin@ttu.edu
DR. THOMAS THOMPSON
Plant & Soil Science
thomas.thompson@ttu.edu
DR. CINDY AKERS
Student Services Center
cindy.akers@ttu.edu
JANE PIERCY
Development & Alumni Relations
jane.piercy@ttu.edu
NORMAN MARTIN
Marketing & Communications
norman.martin@ttu.edu