Department Updates
Texas Tech University recognized the service of employees across
campus. The following employees from the Department of
Agricultural and Applied Economics were recognized: 5 years:
Dr. David Willis, Dr. Mohamadou Fadiga, 10 years: Dr. Jeff
Johnson, Mr. Marty Middleton, and 20 years: Ms. Cindy Dickson.
AGRICULTURAL AND APPLIED ECONOMICS
FACULTY NEWS
The recipient of the 2005 CASNR Service/Outreach Award was
Dr. Eduardo Segarra. Dr. Segarra joined our CASNR faculty in
1987 as an Assistant Professor. He currently holds the rank of
Professor and Department Chair for Agricultural and Applied
Economics and also has a split appointment with Texas Tech
University and the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station with
Texas A&M University.
Dr. Sam Mohanty and Dr. Don Ethridge attended the USDA
Agricultural Outlook Forum in Washington, D.C., February 24th
and 25th.
The annual meetings of the Southern Agricultural Economics
Association were held in Little Rock, Arkansas on February 5th
through 9th.
Dr. Don Ethridge has accepted new leadership responsibilities as
the Associate Director of the CASNR Water Center. Dr. Ethridge
also serves as the Director of the Cotton Economic Research
Institute and teaches course in the department.
Dr. Fred White and Dr. Wade Griffin both received Lifetime
Achievement Awards from the Southern Agricultural
Economics Association.
Dr. Sukant Misra was recognized by the Department of
Agricultural Economics at Mississippi State University as the
Featured Alumni for the month of May.
Dr. Sam Mohanty was named the Associate Director of the
Cotton Economics Research Institute.
Dr. Roderick Rejesus received the award for the Outstanding
Journal Article Award by the Southern Agricultural
Economics Association.
Dr. David Willis was promoted to Associate Professor.
STUDENT NEWS
Dr. Michael Farmer was named Associate Professor specializing
in the areas of water resource and environmental economics in
the department.
Margarita Velandia-Parra was honored as the outstanding
graduate student in the Department of Agricultural and Applied
Economics by Gamma Sigma Delta.
Dr. Jeff Johnson (PhD Agricultural and Applied Economics 2003)
joined the faculty as Assistant Professor.
Fourteen students and the faculty advisor of the Agricultural
Economics Associations traveled to Chicago over Spring Break
for professional development, visiting agribusiness and financial
institutions in the area.
The recipient of the 2005 Student Advising Award was Dr. Emmett
Elam. Dr. Elam arrived at Texas Tech University in 1987 as an
Associate Professor in the Department of Agricultural and
Applied Economics.
Alejandro Salazar, a doctoral student with Chapingo University
in Mexico, spent the fall semester at Texas Tech working with
Dr. Jaime Malaga and Dr. Sam Mohanty. His research relates to
modeling and forecasting future food demand in Mexico with
emphasis on the meat and grain complex.
Billy Brock and Jessica Price have been honored by Who’s Who
Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. Billy
is a senior Agricultural and Applied Economics major, and
Jessica is a senior Agricultural and Applied Economics/General
Business major.
The Agricultural and Applied Economics Quiz Bowl Team placed
3rd in the American Agricultural Economics Association Quiz
Bowl competition. The team members were Chris Cogburn, Chris
Dannemiller, and Jessica Neitsch.
Jenny Rogers was recognized as the Outstanding Student in the
department and as the Outstanding Student in the Discipline
of Agribusiness.
Michael Lair was recognized as the Outstanding Student in the
Discipline of Agricultural and Applied Economics.
landmarks 2006
30
Department Updates
AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION
AND CO MMUNICATIONS
STUDENT INFORMATION
Approximately 60 agricultural communications students
participated in a regional Agricultural Communicators of
Tomorrow (ACT) Conference hosted by Texas Tech in the spring
of 2005.
FACULTY NEWS
AE&C won the Teaching Academy’s Departmental Excellence in
Teaching Award for 2005. This award is presented in recognition
of a department that has made unique and significant
contributions to the university’s teaching mission. It carries a
$25,000 prize to be used for the enhancement of teaching.
Casey Harmon (Amherst) was elected internal vice president of
the Texas Tech Student Government Association (SGA). Kyle
Gilliam (Quanah) will serve as SGA senator.
Diane Mashburn, a sophomore Interdisciplinary Agriculture
major from Chandler, and Lacey Durham, a senior Agricultural
Communications major from Kress presented papers at the
Institute of Latin American Studies Student Association’s
Annual Student Conference.
The recipient of the 2005 CASNR Outstanding Jr. Faculty Award
was Dr. James Smith. Dr. Smith joined the faculty at Texas Tech
University in 2000 as an Assistant Professor.
Dr. Todd Brashears, Assistant Professor of Agricultural Education
won the Al Kahler Outstanding Dissertation Award. Dr. Brashears
received his doctoral degree from Texas Tech in May 2004.
In terms of Student Agricultural Council, Jerod Foster (Paradise)
serves as vice president and Kyle Gilliam (Quanah) as Freshman
Agricultural Council Advisor.
Dr. Cindy Akers served as the Quality Team Leader for the
National FFA’s Essential Learning Curriculum Development
Project. Dr. Akers was also a member of the National FFA’s
Agricultural Communications Career Development Event
Committee, providing leadership for the event at the National
FFA Convention in Louisville.
Stacy Stockard (Denton) was selected as our Outstanding Student
in Spring 2005. The Highest Academic Achievement Award
went to Lance Wright.
Of the 12 students who served as 2004 Ambassadors for
Agriculture, the following were majors in AE&C: Cora DeLeon
(Hondo), Lacee Fraze (Lubbock Cooper), Whitney Peil (Perryton),
and Samantha Yates (Tarzan).
Dr. Cindy Akers was received the President’s Excellence in
Teaching Award at the Faculty Honors Convocation.
Drs. David Doerfert and Cindy Akers served as coordinators for
the National Agricultural Communications Summit in Reno.
Undergraduate Roshonda Hays has been awarded a one-half
time fellowship from Tech’s Honor’s College for the ’05-’06
academic year.
Dr. David Lawver participated on the National Council for
Agricultural Education’s Math, Science, and Reading Workgroup.
Second Annual Juried Exhibit at TTU’s International Cultural
Center featured graduate student’s Jessica Bieber photograph.
Dr. Todd Brashears was elected chair of the Southern—American
Association for Agricultural Education Research Committee
while Dr. James Smith serves as Regional Vice-President.
Dr. Steve Fraze served as the Superintendent for the National
FFA Livestock Judging Contest in Louisville.
Dr. Scott Burris, a recent graduate at the University of Missouri
joined our faculty as an Assistant Professor in the department on
August 1, 2005.
Roadmap to Effective Distance Education Instructional Design,
developed by Drs. Cindy Akers and Chad Davis, won the
Educational Project “Gold” Award given by the Association for
Communications Excellence (ACE).
Dr. Chad Davis received the Texas Tech Alumni Association New
Faculty Award at the Faculty Honors Convocation.
31
landmarks 2006
Department Updates
ANIMAL AND FOOD SCIENCES
FACULTY NEWS
The recipient of the 2005 CASNR Research Award is Dr. Mindy
Brashears. Dr. Brashears joined the faculty in Animal and Food
Sciences in 2001. Since that time she has moved to the rank
of Associate Professor and now serves as the Director of the
International Center for Food Industry Excellence.
Dr. Michael Galyean received the President’s Academic
Achievement Award and the Outstanding Researcher Award at
the Faculty Honors Convocation.
STUDENT NEWS
The 2004-05 Men’s Rodeo team was the Southwest regional
champions out of 17 schools & universities and 6th in the nation
out of 220 schools at the College National Finals Rodeo in
Casper, WY.
The 2004-05 Women’s Rodeo team won reserve champion in the
Southwest regional and 35th in the nation at the College National
Finals Rodeo in Casper, WY.
The TTU Equestrian Team hosted an Intercollegiate Western Horse
Show on March 5th and 6th 2005. Approximately 100 riders from
10 universities participated. TTU finished 4th and 3rd.
landmarks 2006 32
The Texas Tech Ranch Horse Team, a new competition team,
returned from Brazos County Stock Horse of Texas Show. Kris
Wilson, a Ph.D. student in Animal and Food Sciences, was the
Open High Point Champion and received 2nd in Open Trail.
Janene Evans is the Reserve Non-Pro High Point Champion and
also received a 2nd in Non-Pro Trail and in Non-Pro Pleasure.
Colton Daniels was 1st in both Open Cow Horse and Non-Pro
Trail. Holly Roberts received 1st in Non-Pro Pleasure and 2nd in
Open Cow Horse. Trevor Allen was 2nd in Novice Cow Horse.
Other team members include: Venessa Ramsower, Amy Bell,
Brandy Daughterty, Melissa Levitt, McKenzie Brazile, Robin
Morris, Ashley Maly, and Kevin Burns.
Two TTU Horse Judging Teams earned top five rankings at the
Arabian Horse Association’s U.S. Nationals competition in
Albuquerque, NM, October 28, 2005.
Julie Weathers, a senior majoring in Animal Science, is a recipient
of the 2005 Honors College Collaborative Learning Award
Mark Anderson, a M.S. student in Animal and Food Sciences,
placed 3rd in the Graduate Student Competition at the Southern
Section of American Society of Animal Science meeting in
February. His paper was titled “Effect of ascophyllum nodosum
supplementation in finishing cattle diets to improve overall
quality grades.”
Department Updates
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
is based solely on professional excellence and outstanding
accomplishments. The induction will take place at the national
meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in October 2005.
FACULTY NEWS
The Department of Landscape Architecture at Texas Tech
University is dedicated to providing the highest quality
professional and educational experience to its students.
Through a broad range of general and professional courses, the
curriculum enables students to define environmental problems,
to select and articulate appropriate solutions, and to guide the
implementation process with a clear vision which can balance
human needs with various ecosystems stewardship of the land.
STUDENT NEWS
During the summer of 2005, landscape architecture students
traveled to Mexico for the second Landscape Architecture Studio
in the Yucatan Peninsula. They visited historic and cultural
sites, environmental reserves and met with local experts on the
environment, ecotourism, archeology and anthropology. After
three weeks of touring they met with residents of two Mayan
villages and provided site designs for their communities and
ecotourism projects.
Dr. Alon Kvashny was elected “Fellow” by the American Society of
Landscape Architects. The designation of the Fellow is conferred
on individuals in recognition of exceptional work over a sustained
period of time. Individuals considered for this distinction must
be recommended to the Council of Fellows and the election
Pictured: Residents from the village of Yaxachen listen to
presentations of several ideas for improvements to their main
town square that included gathering areas, renovation of an
historic stage and incorporation of two old structures into a craft
cooperative and display center.
33
landmarks 2006
Department Updates
PLANT AND SOIL SC IENCE
STUDENTS
FACULTY
The Department of Plant and Soil Science would like to
recognize the following students for being the 2005-2006
Scholarship Recipients for the Texas Nursery & Landscape
Association. Kara Howard, Amanda Delgado, Pam Smith, Kristin
Phillips and Laura Frey.
Dr. Thea Wilkins joined the Plant and Soil Science Department
in January 2006 as the Bayer CropScience—Regents Professor
of Plant Genomics. This distinguished scientist will complement
Texas Tech University existing genetics faculty and help us create
an internationally recognized Center in Cotton Genomics.
The soils team participated in the National Intercollegiate
Soil Judging Contest April 3-8, 2005. The contest was hosted
by Auburn University, Auburn, AL. Twenty-two colleges and
universities were present. TTU placed 13th overall. Evan Maxwell
a freshman form Sudan, Texas was 8th high individual. Other
team members include: Aaron Alexander, Amarillo; Charles
Clark, Amarillo; and Ghad Geeslin, Lubbock. The team is
coached by Dr. Wayne Hudnall, B. L. Allen Endowed Professor of
Pedology; he is assisted by Dustin Russell.
Dr. Ellen Peffley was selected as the recipient of the 2005 CASNR
Teaching Award. Dr. Peffley joined the faculty in the Department
of Plant and Soil Science as a Visiting Assistant Professor in 1984.
Since that time she has moved through the ranks to full professor.
Ms. Barbara Rudd is the recipient of the 2005 CASNR Instructor
Award. Ms. Rudd has served on the faculty of the Plant and Soil
Science Department since 1996.
Dr. Norman Hopper has been selected as the 2005 Seed Science
Award recipient. Dr. Hopper will be recognized at the Crop
Science Society of America awards program during the ASACSSA-SSSA International Annual Meetings in Salt Lake City.
Carol Mason a Graduate Student in the Department of Plant and
Soil Science was selected for a Cotton Incorporated Fellowship.
This program is an effort to enhance research and training in
cotton genetics and breeding in critical areas.
Dr. Vivien Allen received the Paul Whitfield Horn Professor
Designation for 2005 at the Faculty Honors Convocation.
Bradley Sladek a Turfgrass Managment student in the
Department of Plant and Soil Science, has been awarded the
second highest 2005 Golf Course Superintendents Association
of America (GCSAA) Award. The Program, funded by the
Robert Trent Jones Endowment and administered throught
The Environmental Institute for Golf, awards outstanding
undergraduate students who are planning careers as golf
course superintendents.
Dr. Ellen Peffley received the Spencer A. Wells Award for
Creativity in Teaching Award at the Faculty Honors Convocation.
2006 PLANT & SOIL SCIENCE CALENDAR
To reserve your 2006 Calendar contact Judith Wilmington at
806.742.2856 or judith.wilmington@ttu.edu. A $10 donation
for the calendar will benifit the Friends of the Garden
account at the Horticulture facility on campus. The calendar
features photos of the garden, horticulture tips, conservation
information and a plant web site location for your area.
landmarks 2006
34
Department Updates
RANGE, WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES MANAGEMENT
is awarded annually to the State’s top-ranking wildlife student.
Reid currently serves as the president of the Range, Wildlife, and
Fisheries Management Student Club at TTU and is active in a
number of other organizations through CASNR.
FACULTY NEWS
Dr. Loren Smith received the President’s Book Award at the
Faculty Honors Convocation. Dr. Smith was also inducted into
the Texas Tech University Teaching Academy in 2005.
The TTU chapter was recognized at the 40th Annual Meeting of
the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society held in Amarillo, Texas
for its efforts in providing professional development opportunities
to members. The group was one of four student chapters
across the state to receive this new honor. The Student Chapter
Professional Development Award is sponsored by Germania
Insurance Company and the Texas Wildlife Association.
Dr. Carlos Villalobos spoke before the Cattle Friends of Parral and
FIRA Agency Parral on proper preparation of cattle for exportation.
Dr. Villalobos was recognized for his valuable participation in the
2nd Regional Cattle Forum, Chihuahua, Mexico.
STUDENT NEWS
Angela Reid, a senior Wildlife and Fisheries Management major,
received the Colin Caruthers Memorial Scholarship at the 40th
Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society
held in Amarillo, Texas. The scholarship, sponsored by the Dallas
Ecological Foundation and Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Caruthers, is
in memory of Colin M. Caruthers (1972-1990). This scholarship
Lindsay A. Smythe, graduate student in the Department of
Range, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management, was awarded 2nd
place in the Clarence Cottam Award Competition at the 40th
Annual Meeting of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society
held in Amarillo, Texas.
35
landmarks 2006