Volume 25, 2010
“Scientifically, I was as
equally as prepared as any
of the other medical students.”
Bryan Smitherman
An Ag Degree is one Doctor’s Rx for Career Success
PERSPECTIVES
Another great year for College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and Texas
Tech University. For the college, there are a number of milestones and accomplishments
I should mention. First, the overall student enrollment in CASNR is at an all time high. In
fact, we have more graduate students, including doctoral students, than at any time in our
history. Credit for this goes out to our student services center, our faculty, and our alumni
who have all joined together in our student recruitment efforts.
Second, our research funding increased by 25% over the previous year and set a high
4
An Ag Degree Is One Doctor’s Rx for Career Success
6
water mark. You may know that Texas Tech is in the running to be named the next Tier
I University in Texas. This past year the Texas Legislature set aside 25 million dollars as
matching funds for which seven universities in the state could compete. These funds are
to be used to support the universities research missions. I am proud to say that CASNR
alone qualified for almost nine million dollars! This success was due in a very large part
Where have all the Quail Gone?
due the contribution of Bayer CropScience to support research in the Plant and Soil Science
Department and to help fund a new building for that department.
departments
3 Perspectives
9 Then & Now
10 Department Updates
14 Outstanding Agriculturalists
Est. 1969, the Outstanding Agriculturalist Award recognizes people who contribute
immeasurably to the general good of the agricultural industry. Individuals eligible
for the award must be successful and distinguished in his or her profession, business,
and other worthy endeavors. They must have demonstrated significant contributions
to the agricultural industry and be recognized by their contemporaries for their
contributions.
Three individuals are selected each year to receive the award; one each in the categories
of agricultural production, agribusiness and public service. Nominations are accepted
from former Outstanding Agriculturalist award recipients, administration and faculty
of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.
15 Distinguished Alumni
The measure of a college's distinction and influence depends greatly upon the
achievements of its alumni and the positions they attain in their respective
communities and fields of endeavor. The Distinguished Alumnus Award was
established to recognize some of the most outstanding alumni of Texas Tech University's
College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR).
The purpose of this program is to recognize and honor CASNR alumni who have made
significant contributions to society, and whose accomplishments and careers have
brought distinction to the College and to the professions associated with agriculture
and natural resources.
This program does more than honor these former students. It spotlights the
accomplishments of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources of Texas
Tech and, thereby, enhances the pride of alumni, students, faculty and staff. It also
presents to the people of Texas and the nation tangible evidence of the effectiveness of
agricultural and natural resource programs at Texas Tech University.
Landmarks | Vol. 25
Landmarks magazine is a newsletter
of the College of Agricultural Sciences
and Natural Resources at Texas Tech
University. It is published biannually and
sent to alumni and friends of the college.
D irector / E ditor
Memory Bennett
W riter
Laura Gutschke
Norman Martin
Our students continue to excel in judging competitions as well. With the recent victories
in meat science, agronomy, and ranch horse events, our students in all areas have now won a
total of 83 national championships! While I am on the subject of student accomplishments,
Dr. John M. Burns
Dean
College of Agricultural Sciences
and Natural Resources
in this issue we highlight a former animal science graduate who is now a highly respected
orthopedic surgeon. In fact, one of the fastest growing undergraduate majors in CASNR
is animal science “pre-med”. Students realize that this degree track not only gives them
a great education in animal science but allows them to fulfill medical school entrance
requirements as well.
I hope you enjoy this issue of Landmarks. And, once again I wish to thank all of you
for your continued support of our college. Please make plans to join us for Homecoming
Breakfast on November 6th.
P hotographers
Jerod Foster
Norman Martin
Byron Buckley
D esign
Hartsfield Design, Amanda Sneed
P rinter
Craftsman Printers, Inc.
Send comments and news to:
Landmarks Editor
CASNR
Box 42123
Lubbock, Texas 79409-2123
806.742.2802
memory.bennett@ttu.edu
www.casnr.ttu.edu
3
B
ryan Smitherman, M.D. (’88, B.S., Animal Science) is one of those rare adults living
his childhood answer to the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
“When I was 5 years old I knew I was going to be a bone surgeon, and I never really
changed my plan,” Dr. Smitherman said.
For the last 13 years, Dr. Smitherman has been an orthopedic surgeon in private
practice at The Center for Orthopedic Surgery in Lubbock. He specializes in joint
reconstruction and replacement; particularly knees, hips and shoulders. About 70
percent of his patients are ages 55 or older.
Dr. Smitherman’s journey to medical school through the halls of the College of
Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources is not a traditional route, but one that he
says has enriched him both professionally and personally.
is causing pain and limiting mobility.
“These patients are not in it for money.
They want to maintain their lifestyle – to
work, to dance with their spouse. They are
highly motivated,” Dr. Smitherman said.
He finds enabling people to regain
their mobility very rewarding, such as
earlier this year when he performed knee
replacement surgeries on both joints for
his fourth grade teacher.
G iving B ac k
O pportunity through S cholarship
Smitherman with his wife Lisa and their children,
CarolAnne and Ross.
An Ag Degree
is One Doctor’s Rx
for Career Success
By Laura Gutschke | Photos by Jerod Foster
How Dr. Smitherman first latched onto the idea of becoming a surgeon at the age of 5 is
still a mystery to him. He grew up near McLean, Texas, about 75 miles east of Amarillo,
where his father ranched and farmed and his mother was an accountant. Two general
practitioners served the town’s medical needs at the time, Dr. Smitherman said.
As a youngster Dr. Smitherman showed livestock, including pigs, steers and sheep.
His interest in attending Texas Tech was tepid at first when he tagged along with his
older sister on a campus visit in spring 1980, during a dust storm.
By his senior year, however, Dr. Smitherman knew the university was a good fit.
He elected to complete his undergraduate work as a pre-vet major because he won
an agriculture scholarship through the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Such an
academic track includes many of the same life sciences classes as a traditional pre-med
degree plan.
“I figured if I could do the pre-vet studies then I could get into med school,” Dr.
Smitherman said.
A counselor outside the college advised against the strategy, but Dr. Smitherman said
the CASNR faculty and staff were very supportive.
“My father is still ranching, and I thought my degree would help me in helping him
too,” Dr. Smitherman said.
In addition to a rigorous academic load, Dr. Smitherman’s undergraduate work was
supplemented with other life-enriching experiences. He was a member of the Meat
Judging Team, Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity and Student Senate.
Looking back, Dr. Smitherman believes his ability to juggle his demanding academic
studies with extracurricular activities came at a fortuitous time when medical schools
were beginning to recruit students with a broad-based educational experience, he said.
“Not being a science geek in college made my medical school experience a little
different. I may have been better prepared for some of the other areas of the medical
profession, such as how to relate with patients, manage a staff and run an office.
Scientifically, I was as equally prepared as any of the other medical students,” Dr.
Smitherman said.
While earning his medical degree from The University of Texas Medical Branch at
Galveston, Dr. Smitherman returned to Lubbock for a one-month rotation at the Texas
Tech University Health Sciences Center. A positive experience and the encouragement
of Gene Dabezies, M.D., professor and chair emeritus of the Department of
Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehibilitation, prompted Dr. Smitherman to complete his
internship and residency at TTUHSC after graduating from medical school in 1992.
“He stood out from his peers because of his leadership. Day-to-day, it was a pleasure
to work with him. He knows what he is doing, and he catches on very quickly. He’s also
very kind to his patients,” Dr. Dabezies said.
Initially, Dr. Smitherman was interested in specializing in high school sports medicine.
“But I found that as I went through medical training that I gravitated to joint
replacement,” Dr. Smitherman said.
In 1997 he completed his training and joined The Center for Orthopedic Surgery,
which today is comprised of seven physicians. Some days he is in clinic visiting patients,
while others he is in a surgery suite performing a procedure.
“My days vary. That’s what I like about this work,” Dr. Smitherman said.
A typical patient comes to Dr. Smitherman because of wear and tear of the joint that
Away from the office, Dr. Smitherman
enjoys spending time with his wife, Lisa
Patterson, a 1982 Texas Tech graduate,
and their two children, Ross, 8, and CarolAnne, 6. One of their favorite pastimes
is riding horses at their get-away near
Slaton. They also enjoy attending Texas
Tech football and basketball games.
Dr. Smitherman also is involved in
the community. He is a member of
the American State Bank Community
Advisory Board and of First United
Methodist Church. He also is a former
member of the March of Dimes Board.
In addition, Dr. Smitherman has given
back to his alma mater. He served on the
Dean’s Advisory Committee at the College
of Human Sciences, and is currently a
member of the Texas Tech Foundation
Board of Directors.
Dr. Smitherman’s friend Mike
Bennett, Ph.D., headmaster at All-Saints
Episcopal School in Lubbock, praises the
physician for both his professionalism
and personality. The two first met when
Dr. Smitherman was an undergraduate
at Texas Tech and worked with the
youth at First United Methodist Church.
Later, Bennett also was treated by Dr.
Smitherman for a broken arm.
“He’s a sincere person. He’s the
genuine article. He loves medicine. He
loves people. He loves helping people any
way he can,” Bennett said.
Dr. Smitherman also is passionate
about Texas Tech and its mission to foster
students’ personal and professional
development.
“One thing I really applaud Texas
Tech Chancellor Kent Hance on is his
philosophy that attending Texas Tech is
about more than getting an academic
education,” Dr. Smitherman said.
His own unique path in becoming
a physician is proof of the merits
of giving students a multi-faceted
educational experience.
5
Proactive Strategy
have all the Quail Gone?
By Laura Gutschke | Photos by Byron Buckley
CASNR Partners with
Ranches to Flush Out
Reasons for Quail Decline
When Dallas developer George Allen
purchased an 8,000-acre, unmanaged
ranch in Archer County 12 years ago, the
quail count averaged 17 coveys a day.
He then employed several quail
management initiatives to improve
the count, including brush control,
introducing favorable grasses and feeds
and releasing raised juvenile quail.
The results have been disappointing:
the quail covey count was only four in
late 2009.
“Something else is going on to affect
the quail population,” Allen said.
And, his low numbers are indicative of
a larger trend.
In 2007 the National Audubon Society listed the Northern
Bobwhite Quail as the No. 1 common bird in decline, based on
40 years of data. From 1967 to 2007, the bird’s population has
decreased from 31 million to 5.5 million, or 82 percent.
“They are declining everywhere, but we are doing better here
in the Rolling Plains than other parts of the country,” said Brad
Dabbert, Ph.D., associate professor and associate chair of the
Department of Natural Resources Management in the College of
Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.
Finding the reason – or reasons – for the overall declining
Northern Bobwhite and Scaled Quail population and strategies
to reverse the trend is the impetus behind CASNR’s expansive,
multifaceted Quail-Tech Alliance research initiative. The college
is partnering with some of Texas’ storied ranches as well as
landowners of smaller rural properties on the project.
“We believe the next five years are the most critical in the
landmarks 2010
battle against quail decline,” said Charles Hodges, a Dallas
architect and Texas Tech alum who is one of the founders of
Quail First, a new nonprofit group that will be channeling 100
percent of donations to fund the research.
Quail-Tech Alliance, which launched in January, will
encompass 22 million acres in a 44-county area in west central
and northwest Texas.
The heart of the project is designating an anchor ranch in
each county that will serve as a research and/or demonstration
site for the next five years. Additional smaller ranchers in the
counties also are being recruited.
Some of the participating ranches include the Pitchfork Ranch
based in Guthrie, W. T. Waggoner Ranch headquartered in
Vernon, Mill Iron Ranch in Collingsworth County, Allen’s Circle
A Ranch in Archer County and 6666 Ranch.
Dr. Dabbert credits Hodges with first
proposing the anchor ranch strategy.
Hodges said his love of quail was fostered
while a youngster hunting on family land
near Ranger in Stevens County and Baird
in Callahan County.
“If you have ever experienced a covey
rise with a dog on point, it is a beautiful
thing,” Hodges said.
In addition to their interest in hunting,
landowners such as Allen and Hodges
are dedicated to increasing the quail
population for the sake of conservation
and wildlife management.
“In the Rolling Plains, we are blessed
with a good population of quail, and we
intend to protect it with Texas Tech’s
help,” Hodges said.
The large geographic area of the QuailTech Alliance project allows CASNR
researchers to look at a broad range
of factors at the same time, including
habitat, toxins, supplemental feed, fire
ants, chick survival and disease, Dr.
Dabbert said. The project’s five-year time
span will guard against catastrophic
weather events and allow us to examine
the influences of variable annual weather
patterns. “I don’t think we are going to
find a region-wide answer because the
issues are complex across the area,” Dr.
Dabbert said.
Dr. Ron Sosebee, Steve Seaton, Bill Paterson, and Jack Miller
A Passion for Quail Research
Dr. Dabbert is a recognized, published researcher in the area of environmental
factors that affect quail population.
“I consider him one of the rising stars in quail research. He is so dedicated to finding
answers,” Hodges said.
Joining Dr. Dabbert on Quail-Tech Alliance are other leading CASNR researchers
representing biology, wildlife management, environmental toxicology, fire ecology and
other fields of study. Texas Tech doctoral, masters and undergraduate students also will
be involved in the project, allowing them to gain invaluable hands-on experience.
The anchor ranches are paying a $3,500 annual enrollment fee for each year of the
five-year program to fund the project. Organizers also will be applying for corporate,
state and federal grants.
Recently the Burnett Foundation of Fort Worth granted funds for equipment and
graduate students.
Anchor ranch owners and managers have been very receptive to the sciencebased initiative, granting researchers unique access and letting their land serve as
laboratories for research, Dr. Dabbert said. Each ranch also will be the site of a oneyear, ranch-specific quail project during the five-year program to better serve the
ranches’ specific needs.
Participating ranches receive research findings rapidly, recognition for their support
of scientific research and an invitation to an annual field day/symposium. Trends are
being noted in regular e-bulletins, and at the end of the five years a Quail Management
Manual will be published.
“A lot of the ranches we have seen so far are doing a lot of things right. We are going
to help them fine-tune some things to do even better,” Dr. Dabbert said.
Those associated with Quail-Tech Alliance also envision their work benefiting the
quail population as a whole.
“We hope that the models that we set up will be models for others across the
country,” Dr. Dabbert said.
Quail-Tech Alliance still enrolling ranches
There is still time to participate as an anchor ranch in the Quail-Tech Alliance project.
To learn more, visit the Web site http://www.quail-tech.org/ or contact Brad Dabbert, Ph.D.,
at (806) 742-2842 or brad.dabbert@ttu.edu.
7
ALUMNI EVENTS
T H E N and N OW
2000s
Blakely Davis (BS 2006
Interdisciplinary Agriculture)
received a Masters degree in Range
and Wildlife Management from Sul
Ross State University.
Larry D. Butler (BS 1974
Wildlife Management) is currently
doing after-dinner speaking and
entertainment along with private
lands consulting business.
Jeff Higgins (BLA 2002 Landscape
Architecture) is project manager with
in Control Water Systems.
Mark Moseley (BS 1972 Wildlife
Management)is the rangeland
management specialist with
the USDA Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS).
Mark received the agency’s highest
honor in his profession – rangeland
management specialist of the year.
1990s
Stan Bradbury (BS 1994 Range
Management) is a Rangeland
Management Specialist in the
Lubbock Zone Office.
U pcoming E vents
50th Class Reunion Luncheon
September 2010
Look for more information to be mailed
Homecoming Breakfast
Saturday, November 6, 2010
8 a.m. | Livestock Arena
Pig Roast
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
6:30 p.m. | Civic Center
1980s
Ten Eyck Landscape Architect,
Inc. was awarded a 2010 ASLA
Professional Award for the design
of the Underwood Family Sonoran
Landscape Laboratory on the
University of Arizona campus.
Christine Ten Eyck (81 BLA) is
Principal of Ten Eyck Landscape
Architecture.
Mike Logsdon (BLA 1983
Landscape Architecture) is owner of
Land Design in Boerne, TX.
Joe Franklin (BS 1982 Range
Management) is currently Zone
Rangeland Management Specialist in
San Angelo for NRCS.
1970s
Kent Ferguson (BS 1977 Range
Management) is State Rangeland
Management Specialist for the
USDA/NRCS.
Wyman Meinzer (BS 1974
Wildlife Management) received
the 2009 Texas Tech Distinguished
Alumni Award.
landmarks 2010
Glen Fisher (BS 1971 Agricultural
Economics) is currently President
of the American Sheep Industry
Association representing over
80,000 sheep producers in the
United States. Glen is a rancher at
Sonora, TX with cattle, sheep, goats
and hunting enterprise.
1960s
Elmer Ahrens (BS 1968
Entomology) does contract research
for animal health companies.
Larry D. Johnson (BS 1961
Agricultural Economics) received
the 2009 Texas Tech Distinguished
Alumni Award.
1950s
Donald L. Neal (BS 1954 Ag
Science) is a rancher in McCulloch
County.
William R. “Bill” Anderson (BS
1951 Agricultural Education) has
served on the Board of Directors of
the Education Service Center Region
XI in Fort Worth, TX, since 1995, and
as its chairman since 2004. A lifetime
educator, he retired in 1994 with
42 years of service in education. He
served 29 years as an administrator
in the Eagle Mountain-Saginaw
school district, with 16 years as the
superintendent of schools.
I n M emory
Rhonda Nicholson 1994 Animal Science
Joe Dawson 1987 Agricultural Economics
Michael Schubert 1968 Crops
Paul Wagley 1968 Agricultural Economics
George Fugitt 1964 Park Administration
James Lee McDonald 1962 Agricultural Economics
Get Watson 1955 Agricultural Education
Roy McKnight, Jr. 1952 Animal Production
Teel Bivins Past Outsanding Agriculturalist
Fred Owen 1941 Animal Production
Arch Keys
1947 Horticulture
E.W. “Ed” Zukauckas, Jr.
Horticulture Professor at Texas
Tech from 1952 to 1984
9
D E PA RT M E N T U P DAT E S
D E PA RT M E N T U P DAT E S
Plant and Soil Science
Agricultural Education and Communications
judging team
surged to a second place overall finish on Feb. 7
at the annual meeting of the American Society
for Horticultural Science-Southern Region in
Orlando, FL.. The four-member Red Raider
team competed in the association of collegiate
branches’ competition for plant identification
and judging.
Texas Tech’s horticulture
Scott Burris, an assistant professor with Tech’s Department of Agricultural
Education and Communications, received a President’s Excellence in Teaching Award.
A specialist in agricultural education, he is the current advisor for Texas Tech chapter of
Collegiate FFA.
Todd Brashears, associate professor, has been appointed to the Brazos River
Authority Board of Directors, according to an announcement from Gov. Rick Perry’s
office. The authority is responsible for developing and conserving the surface water
resources of the Brazos River Basin.
Jennifer Simek, an experienced horticulturist
from Lubbock has been selected as manager
of Texas Tech’s Department of Plant and
Soil Science greenhouse complex. Judith
Wilmington, a longtime instructor and
manager of Texas Tech’s Department of Plant
and Soil Science greenhouse complex, retired
after more than a dozen years of service at the
university.
Christi Chadwell, a sophomore agricultural communications major from Garland
has been selected as Texas Tech University’s 2010-2011 Masked Rider, one of the most
iconic symbols in all of college football. Christi accepted the reins to Midnight Matador
Friday (Apr. 16) at a special ceremony in the Frazier Alumni Pavilion.
T he agricultural communications majors who were in the Spring 2010
Congressional Internship Program: Madelon Osborne, a junior from Menard
was an intern for Congressman Mike Conaway (R-Texas); Laramie Adams, a
senior from Gustine was an intern for Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Arkansas) and
Jennifer Blackburn, a senior from Broadview, N.M. was interning for the House
Committee on Agriculture.
Texas Tech is now accepting scholarship
applications from Texas residents wishing
to pursue an online bachelor’s degree in
horticultural and turfgrass sciences. Although
students must meet certain requirements to
qualify for funding, the scholarship isn’t based on
financial need, officials report.
from Texas Tech’s
Department of Plant and Soil Science were
honored Monday (Apr. 12) with President’s
Quality Service Awards. The awards, established
in 1997, recognized Angela Beikmann and
Sylvia Garcia for their excellent customer
service in the performance of their jobs.
T wo staff members
Agricultural and Applied Economics
The director of Texas Tech University’s Cotton Economics Research
Institute is heading up the list of speakers at the Texas Alliance for Water
Conservation’s ‘Pioneers in Agriculture Field Day,’ set for Feb. 3 at the Floyd
County Unity Center in Muncy. Darren Hudson, Tech’s Larry Combest
Endowed Chair in Agricultural Competitiveness, was the keynote speaker at
this year’s event.
David Lawver, a professor in Texas Tech’s Department of
Agricultural Education and Communications, taught extension
methods during the fall at Egerton University near the east
African provincial capital of Nakuru, Kenya. His work was
supported by a Fulbright Grant from the Council for International
Exchange of Scholars.
Zach Gilbert, a senior agriculture and applied economics major from
Sweetwater was an intern for Congressman Kevin Brady (R-Texas), during the
Spring Semester.
Shelby Stokes, a senior agribusiness major from Afton was also in the
Congressional Internship program. She was an intern for Congressman Mac
Thornberry (R-Texas). She is going to law school this fall at Texas Weslayan.
Because of a generous gift from the Charles C. Thompson Trust an
endowed chair was established in ag finance. The holder of this chair is Dr.
Philip Johnson. With this gift the department was able to access money
from the Texas Research Incentive Program to establish the Emabeth
Thompson Professorship in Risk Management. This professorship is held by
Dr. Thomas Knight.
landmarks 2010
Dr. David Lawver spent over 4 months at Egerton University near
Nakuru, Kenya this past fall. He taught courses related to extension
methods. Pictured: Mount Longonot volcano in the Great Rift Valley
near Nairobi and Dr. Lawver’s students taking a final.
11
D E PA RT M E N T U P DAT E S
D E PA RT M E N T U P DAT E S
Landscape Architecture
The Santa Chiara
Study Center located
in the hill town of
Castiglion Fiorentino
in the Tuscany
Region of Italy
served as the base
for the Development
Leave. This image
illustration the hill
town from the valley.
In the fall of 2009 Associate Professor
John Billiing, Dept. of Landscape
Architecture was on Development Leave
in Italy. The primary emphasis of the
development leave was to focus on the
spacial organization of rural villa and
urban outdoor spaces.
Landscape Architecture
Program will again conduct studio
during the Fall 2011 academic semester
in Italy. The study abroad program will
study and live at the Santa Chiara Study
Center in the rural hill town of Castiglion
Fiorentino. The center is located in the
southern rural Tuscany region of Italy,
approximately fifty miles southeast
of Florence and 125 miles northeast
of Rome. The landscape setting offers
the opportunity to experience a rural
and urban landscape that is a blend
of Etruscan, Greek, Roman, Medieval,
Renaissance, and contemporary
expressions.
The Texas Tech
Animal and
Food Sciences
nationallyrecognized meat judging team took
first place Jan. 18 at Denver’s National
Western Stock Show. The team placed
first in beef judging, lamb judging,
specifications and reasons, running up
a total score of 4,034 points. Separately,
the Red Raiders had three of the Top 10
individuals at the contest. New Home
sophomore Trevor White placed fifth
overall, while Grandview sophomore
Loni Woolley was sixth overall. Castle
Rock, Colo., sophomore KatieRose
McCullough finished tenth overall. Two
Tech team members also finished in the
Top 10 of the alternate division.
T exas T ech U niversity ’ s
One of the many villa visited. Villa d’Este at
Tivoli is located about 30 miles outside of Rome.
The villa developed for Cardinal Ippolito d’Este
is a series of terraces and water feature on a
very steep hilly site Illustrated here is one of the
several cross axis featuring the Water Organ and
a series of rectangular pools.
Patricia Westbrook, a very
experienced New Mexico landscape
architect, who was involved in private
practice as well as the University of New
Mexico graduate program of Landscape
Architecture was named an assistant
professor in Texas Tech University’s
Department of Landscape Architecture.
Larry Sullivan has been named
an assistant professor in Texas Tech
University’s Department of Landscape
Architecture. He has a master’s degree
in landscape architecture from Texas
A&M, in addition to a Law degree. He has
practiced Landscape Architecture for the
past 15 years.
Melissa Currie, a native of Niceville,
Fla., also joined the Landscape
Architecture as an assistant professor.
has an on-going
study abroad course in Yucatan Mexico
every summer.
The Department also
landmarks 2010
Natural Resources
Management
livestock
judging team won at Denver’s National
Western Stock Show and McKinney junior
standout Caleb Crosswhite took high
individual overall honors.
T exas T ech U niversity ’ s
Villa Lante’s central water
axis is terminated at the
lower level by the four-square
water parterre. Villa Lante
is an excellent example of
Renaissance Garden Design.
In Florence at the Villa Medici
/ Riccardi is a stunning small
axial designed courtyard
featuring a series of orange tree
in moveable pots.
T exas T ech ’ s potent meat judging
team continued its winning ways Feb.
7, breezing past nine other universities
to take first place honors at the
Southwestern Livestock Show’s Meat
Judging Contest in Fort Worth.
Meat Judging
Team has been named a recipient of a
‘Headliner Award’ from the Association of
Women in Communications in Lubbock.
T exas T ech U niversity ’ s
The annual honors were presented Tuesday
(Apr. 20) to individuals and organizations
that have brought widespread, positive
attention to the region.
For the sixth consecutive year, Texas
Tech’s meat judging team garnered first
place honors at the Houston Livestock
Show’s Meat Judging Contest.
Kaleigh Janota, a senior in Animal
and Food Sciences, is the recipient of a
Student Academic Citizenship Award
from the Parents Association.
For the 4 th consecutive year, the Meat
Animal Evaluation Team took 1st place
honors deeming them national champions.
Reserve National
Champion Ranch Horse Teams were also
secured.
2 010 National and
recognized for their
Outstanding posters at the 2010 Plains
Nutrition Council Spring Conference
in San Antonio — Sandi Parr, PhD
candidate working under Brad Johnson,
PhD, 1st place, Bryan Bernhard,
MS student under Johnson and Ryan
Rathmann, PhD, Honorable Mention,
Matt Quinn, PhD candidate under Mike
Galyean, PhD, Honorable Mention
3 students were
Sandra Rideout-Hanzak,
an assistant professor with the
Department of Natural Resources
Management, was tapped for a Texas
Tech Alumni Association New Faculty
Award. Specializing in fire ecology,
her research focus is on prescribed
fire and wildland fire effects on fuels,
vegetation and wildlife.
Reynaldo Patino, a research
professor with the Department of
Natural Resources Management, was
presented an Outstanding Researcher
Award. An expert in fisheries, he has
been with the Texas Cooperative Fish
and Wildlife Unit and the natural
resources management department
since 1989.
C alifornia- native Laura
Navarrete, a master’s degree
candidate studying wildlife science,
won first place honors in Texas Tech’s
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Graduate Student Poster presentations.
A nationally- recognized
researcher and
academic leader from Fort Collins,
Colo., has been presented the Texas
Tech University Department of
Natural Resources Management
2009 Outstanding Alumnus Award.
Terry McLendon received his
undergraduate and doctorate degrees
from Texas Tech in the 1970s.
ecologist,
13
O U T S TA N D I N G AG R I C U LT U R A L I S T S
Gordon W. Davis
Dr. Gordon W. Davis began his relationship with Texas Tech University in 1980 when
he became an assistant professor for the College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural
Resources. In 1984, Davis embarked on an entrepreneurial experience when he started
his own company, CEV Multimedia, Ltd. Davis then became associate professor at Texas
Tech from 1988-1990. Today, he is an adjunct professor for the Department of Animal &
Food Sciences.
Dr. Davis earned four degrees in agriculture science, agricultural education, and
animal science. Before becoming a meat scientist at Texas Tech, he was a high school
agricultural science teacher, an instructor at Texas A&M University and an assistant
professor at the University of Tennessee.
His family includes his wife, Joyce, three children, Brandy, Ben and Bryce, son-inlaw Rolando; daughter-in-law Shawna; his mother, Gladys; and five grandchildren. He
is well known for the motto, “It’s all about the kids,” whether they are his own, Tech
students or those scattered among thousands of classrooms nationally.
Jimmie Ruth Evans
Jimmie Ruth Evans graduated from Texas Tech University with a bachelor’s
degree in 1971, majoring in Elementary Education and minoring in American
History. Mrs. Evans is a Life Member and volunteer for the San Antonio Livestock
Exposition, for which she has also served as president and senior vice president.
She has served on Texas Tech’s Ranch, Wildlife and Fisheries Management Advisory
Board, the Agrifood Education Council, the 4-H Foundation Board, the 4-H
Scholarship Advisory Committee, the International Agritech Center, the West Texas
Boys Ranch Foundation Board, and served as a member of the Texas Sheep & Goat
Raisers Association. In addition, she currently serves as co-chair of the Girl Scouts
Capital Campaign.
Mrs. Evans gives from the heart in all she
does for our community, with children and
family as priorities. Married since 1971,
and the proud parents of Lee Marie and Tres
and grandparents of Kendall Marie. She
and her husband Dick support her lifelong
commitment to agribusiness education and
research. She is a native of San Antonio,
and was raised on the Wittenburg Ranch
near Rocksprings, Texas.
Dave M. Hopper
Dave Hopper earned a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics from Texas
Tech in 1955 and a bachelor of science in agricultural Education in 1957. He was
a member of the Texas Tech National Intercollegiate Championship Rodeo Team
in 1955 and was the 1957 National Intercollegiate Bareback Riding Champion. For
14 years Mr. Hopper traveled the rodeo circuit as a professional rodeo cowboy. Mr.
Hopper was President and Partner of Champion Feeders for more than 30 years.
Throughout his professional career, Mr. Hopper has served on the Board of
Directors for the Texas Cattle Feeders Association and the National Cattlemen’s
Association. He has served on a variety of committees for the Texas Cattle Feeders
Association and has volunteered his time with the National Cattlemen Association.
Mr. Hopper is married to the former Joan McGee, who received a Bachelor of Arts
degree from Texas Tech in 1956. They have one daughter, Robin, and two grandsons.
landmarks 2010
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI
Dennis C. Wilkinson
Dennis C. Wilkinson received his
Bachelor of Arts degree in 1974 in Park
Administration and a minor in Landscape
Architecture and Horticulture.
Mr. Wilkinson is a principal and a
landscape architect with emphasis in site
planning, campus planning, landscape
and irrigation design, athletic facilities,
construction detailing and production
administration.
Mr. Wilkinson, and his wife, Maye reside in Corrales, New
Mexico. He has two adult children and four grandchildren.
David K. Waggoner
Mr. Waggoner received a Bachelor
of Science degree in Animal Science
from Texas Tech, a Master of Science
degree in Animal Science from Virginia
Tech University, a Master of Business
Administration degree from George
Washington University, and a Juris
Doctor degree from Texas Tech.
David K. Waggoner is the founder of
The Waggoner Law Firm with offices
located in Hillsboro and Corsicana. His law practice consists
primarily of banking, real estate, and agricultural law.
David is a proud alumnus of Texas Tech. He has served as
president of the Animal and Food Science Alumni Association,
and was appointed to the Dean’s Advisory Council for CASNR.
In 2004, he was appointed to the National Board of the Texas
Tech Alumni Association, and presently chairs the Association’s
Legislative Committee. David is an adjunct professor in
the Department of Animal and Food Sciences and is the coinstructor of the Honor’s course entitled “Contemporary Issues
in Animal Agriculture.”
Jim Schwertner
Jim Schwertner graduated from Texas
Tech University in 1974 with a Bachelor
of Science degree in Agricultural
Economics. Mr. Schwertner is President and Chief
Executive Officer of Schwertner Farms,
Inc., dba Capitol Land & Livestock and
Chairman of the Board of Schwertner
State Bank. Mr. Schwertner is presently director
of the Texas Beef Council and chairman of the Seton Hospital,
Williamson Foundation Board of Trustees. He is a partner
in the Lockhart Livestock Auction and the Mid Tex Livestock
Auction in Navasota.
Mr. Schwertner and his wife, Patti, reside in Austin.
Douglas C. Smellage
Douglas Smellage graduated with
a Bachelor’s degree from Southern
Methodist University in 1977. He
also received a Bachelor’s degree in
Horticulture from Texas Tech University
in 1980.
Mr. Smellage founded Lawns of
Dallas in 1982 and has had over 28
years of experience providing service for
commercial and residential properties.
Lawns of Dallas specializes in maintenance services and estatequality design for the finest properties in the Dallas/Fort Worth
area. The management team holds a variety of certifications,
licenses and degrees specific to horticulture and landscape
architecture that set them apart from their competitors.
He and his wife, Ann, reside in Dallas. They have three
children, Cal, Polly and Lindy.
Sidney J. Long
Sidney J. Long received his Bachelor of
Science degree in Agricultural Education
from Texas Tech University in 1958 and
Master of Science degree in Animal
Science from Mississippi State University
in 1960.
Mr. Long is a ranch owner and operator
in partnership with his sons in Coke
County and Sterling County. Prior to
this he served as CEO/Executive Vice
President of Concho Valley Electric Cooperative in San Angelo
and Executive Director of Southern Blacklands Boll Weevil
Eradication Zone in Buckholts, Texas.
Mr. Long and his wife, Carolyn, reside in Robert Lee, Texas,
They have three grown children.
James F. Bergan
James Bergan received a Bachelor of
Science degree from Purdue University
in 1984. He then received a Master and
Doctoral degrees both in Wildlife Science
from Texas Tech University.
Following graduation, Mr. Bergan was a
waterfowl biologist for the state of Florida
before returning to Texas and working
for the Texas Nature Conservancy. He
has held several positions with TNC
including manager of the Mad Island Preserve and Director of
Coastal Programs before becoming the state director of Science
and Stewardship. He is directly responsible for the 4 branches
of the TNC science program: the Texas Natural History Survey,
Geographic Information Systems, Conservation Planning and
Stewardship, Monitoring and Research. Mr. Bergan and his wife, Danya reside in San Antonio.
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