Perspectives
TRADITIONALLY, as we enter a new
calendar year, many individuals reflect on
the year past and anticipate what might
come in the year ahead. So it was with
the College of Agricultural Sciences and
Natural Resources at Texas Tech University.
Reflecting on the year just completed, there
were many accomplishments recorded by
our students and faculty. Equally exciting are
the challenges and opportunities we have
before us in this year that is in progress.
We are attracting and graduating the best
student body in the history of our college and
the university, and faculty in the College of
Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
are “at the top of their game.” Our students
led the university in campus and external
leadership positions, internship placements
and national championships. And university
strategic plan assessment data documented
our faculty as the most dedicated and highly
regarded teachers, they exceeded every other
college in research revenues secured and
our faculty engage in the greatest number
of outreach activities. Through the course of
the year, eight new courses in CASNR were
approved and two new degree programs
were developed. The college also leads the
university in distance education offerings.
Approximately one-fourth of our faculty were
recognized for university, state, regional
and national accomplishments and many
students placed in regional and national
competitive events and received numerous
state, regional and national student
organization leadership positions and
awards. Classes were first held the spring
semester in the new state-of-the-art Animal
and Food Sciences Building and a College
Master Plan Study was commissioned
and completed by Ira Fink & Associates,
in preparation for future renovations and
additional facilities needed and merited by
the college. Research revenues reached a
record high of $11 million with a leveraging
ratio of 4 extramural dollars received for
every state dollar invested in research
infrastructure. Financial support for the
college was substantial with $384,311
additional dollars for scholarships,
$578,704 for chairs and professorships and
$2,302,399 additional support for operations
and programs to advance the college to even
greater recognition and stature. Additional
highlights of the year and articles of interest
will follow in this issue of Landmarks. For a
university that is “on the move” and taking
giant steps in recognition and national
stature, one can’t refrain from expressing
pride and appreciation for our faculty, staff
and students in CASNR. And many readers
of this Landmarks publication should have
satisfaction in knowing that they had a part
in preparing the pathway and continue to be
a catalyst regarding our current success.
As we reflect on the exciting challenges
and opportunities before us, we have the
intention and expectation that just as this
year exceeded accomplishments of the
previous one, next year will surpass the one
just completed. Next year we anticipate
more accolades for our students, faculty
and staff. We expect to maintain our
reputation of teaching excellence—a
hallmark and foundation of our existence.
Faculty are also very dedicated to research
(the discovery of new knowledge). That
knowledge, taken into the classroom,
further enhances our instructional
programs. Research is also paramount to
the advancement of agricultural and natural
resources industries that are vital to the
economy, health, standard of living, and
national security of all citizens. As this issue
of Landmarks is printed, we are completing
our work on our strategic plan to establish
goals, objectives and strategies that will
provide the roadmap to our future as we
fulfill our mission of teaching, research
and outreach.
In closing, please know that the college
recognizes and places great value on the advice,
assistance and support received from alumni
and friends of the College of Agricultural
Sciences and Natural Resources. Together,
much can be accomplished. We look forward to
every opportunity to interact and invite you to
visit our campus whenever possible.
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landmarks 2006
DR. MARVIN J. CEPICA
Dean, College of Agricultural Sciences
and Natural Resources