T
IrreplaceaBLe
eacher. Outstanding gentleman. Colleague.
his field of study was superior, and his love for
Great man. Friend. Mentor. Tremendous
students and teaching enduring.”
individual. B.L. Allen was many things,
Cepica said he considered Allen to be a great
but mere words cannot do justice to the amazing
individual
who made an amazing contribution to
impact he had on his students, his peers, and Texas
the world and was loved by many.
Tech University.
Dr. Wayne Hudnall, the B. L. Allen
Allen was born in Hillsboro, Texas on
Endowed Chair for Pedology,
August 11, 1923. He
credits Allen as the influence that
transferred to Texas
caused him pursue a degree in the
Tech University
soil sciences.
from Hill College
“ I finished a master’s with him,
shortly before
and then came back
Photo
by
Travis Conley
World War II. He
as a B. L. Allen
took a three year
Endowed Chair,”
leave of absence to
Hudnall said. “It’s
serve his country
really his influence
in the South Pacific
that got me to
and Philippines,
where I am today.”
returning to Texas
Even though
Tech after the
Allen
retired almost
war to complete his bachelor’s
a decade ago, he
degree in agronomy.
never stopped
Allen taught briefly at
Eastern New Mexico University The Texas Tech Soils Judging Team. Allen coached the team influencing or
for 40 years.
teaching those
Portales before receiving his
around him. Before
master’s and doctoral degrees
his
death
on
March
24,
2012,
he
was still serving
from Michigan State University. He returned to
on committees for master’s and doctoral students
Texas Tech as an assistant professor in the fall
and helping students with their writing and
of 1959.
working with them to help ensure their research
While at Texas Tech, Allen coached the soils
got published.
judging team for forty years, leading them to
This dedication, former dean John
five national contest victories, as well as 35
Abernathy
said, is what makes an exemplary
first, second or third place regional wins. Allen
faculty member and person.
was a member of several organizations, and
“Dr. Allen exemplified the epitome of
contributed 10 book chapters and 20 refereed
what a faculty member should be,” Abernathy
articles to the study of soil. While his awards
were many and his résumé impressive, he will be said. “He was one of the most outstanding
individuals I’ve ever known. He cared about his
best remembered by those who knew him.
students, others, the university, and he took
Marvin Cepica, a former dean of the College
pride in everything he did.”
of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
Allen was many things to many people,
at Texas Tech, met Allen when Cepica took his
soils class as an undergraduate student at Texas but it is clear he was also one thing to no
one: replaceable.
Tech. He knew him later as a faculty member,
and his respect and esteem for Allen only grew
over the years.
“He was a great example of
professionalism. His work ethic was
HKaitlyn Hale | Winnie, Texas
unsurpassed,” Cepica said. ”His knowledge of
FALL 2012 | THE AGRICULTURIST
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