2006-2007
Annual Report
Department of Animal Science
FY 07
May 29, 2007
1. Introductory Abstract
This past January, our UW Department of Animal Science was made award aware of
a Chronicle of Higher Education ranking of Departments of Animal Science that had
us ranked tied for 7th with Michigan State University based on a faculty research
productivity index. The Department was ranked in the agricultural sciences category
based upon a faculty productivity index that included publication records of books
and journal articles as well as citations of those publications; federal grant dollars
awarded; and, honors and awards. The Department led the top 10 in the percentage
of faculty (71%) receiving grants. The index ranked 7,294 individual doctoral
programs in 104 disciples at 354 institutions and included a total of 177,816 faculty
members nationwide. The top six institutions included the University of
Massachusetts at Amherst ranked first, followed by University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign, Cornell University, University of California at Davis, University of
Missouri and the University of Wisconsin. This validates in a highly respected and
prestigious publication that our Department has productive scientists who are
conducting high quality research comparable to that of any land-grant institution in
the country.
New Faculty (August, 2006):
 Dr. Brenda Alexander – Assistant Professor of Reproductive Biology (filled
T. Hansen position; 65% research, 25% teaching, 5% advising, and, 5%
service). Taught ANSC 3150 (Equine Nutrition & Physiology) in fall semester
and ANSC 4260/5260 (Mammalian Endocrinology) in the spring 2007
semester. She has also been contracted to teach a laboratory section in the
WAMI Previously a developing research scientist in the INBRE program
under the tutelage of Dr. Bill Murdoch and currently starting her first graduate
student, Brenda’s research has been “jump started” by notification that her
$379,400 NIH proposal has been funded. Currently being mentored by B.
Hess.
 Dr. Kristi Cammack – Assistant Professor of ANSC with quantitative and
molecular genetics skills (filled Russell position; 60% research, 30% teaching,
5% advising, and 5% service). Taught ANSC 4540 (Principles of Applied
Animal Breeding) in the fall and is developing a Statistics course that is being
taught this summer. Kristi was PI on an Ag Experiment Station Competitive
Grant that was funded and she also had a Faculty Grant & Aid funded. She is
currently being mentored by Dr. Murdoch.
Faculty Recognition:
 Steve Ford, Rochelle Chair – Received the Donald H. Barron Lecturer
Award from the University of Florida, Gainesville (March 21, 2007).
Awarded annually to an individual who has had a long, outstanding career
furthering the understanding of Reproductive Biology as well as mentoring
students who have contributed to the field. Dr. Ford also received the
outstanding Alumnus Award for the Agricultural Sciences from Oregon State
University (April 27, 2007).
 Bret Hess – has received word that he will receive the 2007 Early Career
Achievement Award from the American Society of Animal Science (ASAS).
This is the first time this recently established national award will have been
presented by ASAS.
 Paul Ludden – Recipient of Top Prof Award from Mortar Board Honorary
Society (12/2006).
 Steve Horn, Warrie Means, Kristi Cammack, Bret Hess, Doug Hixon –
Received “Props for Profs” Awards from AGR Fraternity (10/2006).
 Doug Hixon – “Friend of Agriculture Award” from Albany County
Cowbelles (12/2006)
Staff Recognition:
 Brandi Brewer and Carrie Burke – Recipients of Mortar Board Society’s
“Tip of the Cap” Award (3/2007).
 Brent Larson – Recipient of “Props for Profs” Award from AGR Fraternity.
Graduate Student Recognition –
 Scott Lake – Recipient of 2006 Outstanding Dissertation Award from UW
Graduate School. Currently holds a tenure track faculty position at Purdue
University. Advised by Bret Hess.
 Chuck Murrieta – a Ph. D. graduate student working with Dan Rule in
Nutrition received 2nd place in the 2006 Western Section, American Society of
Animal Science (WSASAS) Graduate Student Competition Papers in Salt
Lake City, UT.
 Becky Atkinson – a Ph.D. graduate student, who worked with Paul Ludden,
received 3rd place in the 2006 WSASAS Graduate Student Competition Papers
in Salt Lake City, UT. Currently in a tenure-track position at Southern Illinois
University.
 WSASAS Institutional Award – UW Animal Science Graduate Students
received the $2000 Institutional Award at the 2006 WSASAS meetings for the
3rd time in the 4-year history of the award’s presentation.
 Francis Niemela – an M.S. graduate student (Paisley) received 2nd place in
2006 American Registry of Professional Animal Scientist (ARPAS) Poster
Competition in Ft. Collins, CO (9/2006).
 Platt Price – an M.S. student working in Nutrition (Hess) received 3rd place
in the same 2006 ARPAS Competition as above (9/2006).
 Chuck Murrieta – Received an Outstanding Oral Presentation Award at the
2007 Graduate Student Symposium sponsored by the Graduate School (4/07).
Undergraduate achievements:
 Stacia Berry – Business and Communications Double Options in ANVS
major. Received USA Today’s 2007 All-USA College Academic Third Team
recognition; Final four at the national American Farm Bureau Federation
Young Farmer & Rancher Collegiate Discussion Meet after winning WY
Competition.
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Heather Hamilton – Selected as one of 15 student worker interns in a
national competition to assist at 2007 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
Convention in Nashville, TN in January.
 Heather Grimm – ANVS major in Pre-Vet Option, was Co-recipient of
$6,000 second place UW Entrepreneurship Competition and was also
nominated for 2007 Spitaleri Award.
 Gamma Sigma Delta Awards received by ANVS students – Outstanding
Frosh – Amy Berry and Travis Allen; Outstanding Junior – Stacia Berry;
Outstanding Senior – Lynn Franzkowiak; Outstanding Ph.D. – Qingwu Shen
(Du advisee in Meat Science). Outstanding Agriculturalist – Jim Magagna,
Executive Director of WY Stock Growers (nominated by ANSC).
2. Academic Planning Implementation
Discovery
 Continue to strengthen collaborative interdisciplinary efforts across campus.
o Filled the reproductive biology position vacated by Dr. Tod Hansen
with Dr. Brenda Alexander to maintain our significant presence in the
Reproductive Biology program. Dr. Gary Moss now gives leadership
to this interdisciplinary initiative.
o New hire Dr. Kristi Cammack with expertise in functional genomics
has enhanced our Department’s contribution to multiple
interdisciplinary research efforts.
 Leveraging of Departmental Graduate Assistantships in order to enhance the
number of soft money-funded GA’s and increase total number of graduate
students.
o Established tiered policy in assigning Departmental GA’s with priority
given to those faculty who can pick up half of Grad student stipend on
soft money.
o The three available Departmental GA in fall 2007 will all be split with
the other half of each being supported by grant dollars.
o We had 6 Departmental (state & federally funded) GA’s in fall 2006
with a total of 10 funded graduate stipends in the ANSC Department.
o Plan B Masters of Science Program in ANVS has provided flexibility
for part-time graduate students and has increased the total number of
graduate students in our program. Plan B students are not eligible for
graduate stipends.
 Livestock/Facilities Utilization Committee (L/FUC) has continued to function
but now in conjunction with AES Research & Extension Center Planning
Committee where additional input is received from other Departments within
the College.
Learning
 We were successful in spring 2007 in getting more than 91% of graduating
seniors to complete an option specific exit survey. This has been successfully
done through our capstone ANSC 4630 (Topics and Issues in Animal Science
course – WC)
 ANVS options continue to be evaluated to best serve needs of undergraduate
clientele. Our Departmental Course and Curriculum Committee have
recommended some changes in Options (other than Pre-Vet) and will
recommend that MATH 1400 be required in all Options. Other changes being
recommended in Business and Range Livestock Options.
 Our Curriculum is currently being mapped with faculty evaluating their
courses to determine to which of our Student Learning Outcomes their course
contributes. Departmental Course and Curriculum Committee will evaluate
and make recommendations on findings to further strengthen course offerings.
 Internship opportunities are expanding and with increased emphasis while
student participation appears to be trending upward.
 Have expanded website and made it more user friendly to enhance recruitment
of both undergraduate and graduate students. Student Learning Outcomes are
now posted on our Website.
 Have developed dialogue with International Programs. Dr. Anne Alexander
presented at our Friday seminar series in the fall 2006 semester. Plan to have
Dr. Alexander speak to our Block and Bridle Club in fall 2007 semester.
 We continue to expand adjunct faculty but we need to get them more actively
involved with contributing to our curriculum.
Engagement
 Developed an Advanced WYO BEEF Short Course that is offered in
September for producers who had previously completed Level I of the WYO
BEEF Short Course series.
 Beef, Sheep and Meats specialists continue to support the Profitability and
Sustainability of Agricultural Systems and Nutrition and Food Safety
Extension Initiatives.
 Have expanded website to include the posting of our Annual Departmental
Reports. Hard copies of reports are also distributed to County Extension
Offices.
 Have developed additional popular press outlets to further expand our
presence with producer clientele.
o Beef specialist has regular articles in WY Livestock Roundup and TriState Livestock News.
o Head has given leadership to an “Ask the Researcher” article in WY
Stock Grower’s “Cow Country” magazine.
Academic Plan – Coming Year Activities
Discovery
 The Laramie R & E Center is a reality. Still working to determine the manner
that Department will best dove-tail into AES activities. AES Planning
Committee and Dept. Livestock/Facilities Utilization Committee have
completed one cycle and have exposed other College Departments to the
process.
 Will request review of our ANVS graduate program by the Graduate School.
Learning
 Re-emphasize assessment initiative. We are in the process of designing a
writing evaluation for first and final year students to see if those written
communication skills are being improved by our curriculum. Course and
Curriculum Committee will serve to assist in the evaluation of this exercise to
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be administered to first year students in ANSC 1000 and final year students in
ANSC 4630 (WC).
Develop method of extracting appropriate information from Exit Surveys and
incorporating it back into curriculum enhancement.
Post-graduate surveys are being developed and will be distributed to alumni
who are one and four years removed from their B.S. degrees.
A formal process of curriculum mapping has been initiated and will be
completed to determine contributions of each course to our student learning
outcomes.
Get Adjunct Faculty more involved with contributions to curriculum.
Extension
 Continue to develop clientele educational models utilizing intensive, hands-on
educational techniques such as WYO BEEF Short Course, WY-CO Meat
Processors Short Course and Cow Boy Youth Classic.
 Develop monthly e-mailings to Extension Educators with contributions from
research and teaching faculty in addition to Extension specialists.
 Continue to publish an Annual Departmental Report and make it available on
web and to an expanded clientele support base. Continue to target this
publication for producer clientele.
 Assist with the administration of the four-state Range Beef Cow Symposium
to be hosted by CSU and held in Ft. Collins, CO in Dec. 2007.
3. Teaching Activities
 Dr. Ludden was again honored with Mortar Board Honor Society’s TOP
PROF Award at the end of the 2006 fall semester.
 Drs. Horn, Means, Cammack, Hixon, Hess as well as Brent Larson (staff) and
Keith Underwood (Graduate) were honored by AGR Fraternity with “Props
for Profs” Awards (10/06).
 Undergraduate students have also excelled Stacia Berry, a double option (business and communications) ANVS
major from Cheyenne, was selected a 3rd team All-USA Academic
Team. Stacia also won the WY Farm Bureau Federation’s Young
Farmer & Rancher Collegiate Discussion Meet and was a Final Four
Selection at the National Competition in Florida (01/07) for which she
received a $1000 scholarship.
 Heather Hamilton, ANVS Business and Communications double
option, was selected as part of a competitive process to serve as one of
15 student Interns on a national basis to serve as a Annual Convention
Intern at the 2007 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) in
Nashville, TN. Upon selection, the Dept. of ANSC funded Heather’s
airfare while NCBA covered the balance of her expenses for this
excellent learning experience.
 Heather Grimm – ANVS major in Pre-Vet Option, was Co-recipient of
$6,000 UW Student Entrepreneurial Award and was also nominated
for 2007 Spitaleri Award.
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Gamma Sigma Delta Awards received by ANVS students –
Outstanding Frosh – Amy Berry and Travis Allen; Outstanding Junior
– Stacia Berry; Outstanding Senior – Lynn Franzkowiak;
4. Research and/or Creative Activities
a. This past January, our UW Department of Animal Science was made award
aware of a Chronicle of Higher Education ranking of Departments of Animal
Science that had us ranked tied for 7th with Michigan State University based
on a faculty research productivity index. The Department was ranked in the
agricultural sciences category based upon a faculty productivity index that
included publication records of books and journal articles as well as citations
of those publications; federal grant dollars awarded; and, honors and awards.
The Department led the top 10 in the percentage of faculty (71%) receiving
grants. The index ranked 7,294 individual doctoral programs in 104 disciples
at 354 institutions and included a total of 177,816 faculty members
nationwide. The top six institutions included the University of Massachusetts
at Amherst ranked first, followed by University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign, Cornell University, University of California at Davis, University
of Missouri and the University of Wisconsin. This validates in a highly
respected and prestigious publication that our Department has productive
scientists who are conducting high quality research comparable to that of any
land-grant institution in the country.
b. Animal Science faculty received $354,000 in new extramural funding between
June 1, 2006 and June 1, 2007. Also, Animal Science faculty had more than
$1.34 M in additional active grants initially obtained in prior years.
c. ANSC faculty published 84 refereed journal articles as primary authors and
another 110 as collaborating authors from June 1, 2006 through May 31, 2007
(from most recent Faculty Updates). In addition, faculty and their graduate
students presented 59 abstracts over the same time period.
d. With the goal of the INBRE mentoring program being to develop new young
faculty members, two of the INBRE-funded research scientists in Animal
Science were able to secure tenure track faculty positions. Dr. Brenda
Alexander was hired in our Department to fill the position of Dr. Tod Hansen
and Dr. Hyungchal Han has obtained a position in nutrition at Colorado State
University. Both will started their new duties in August 2006.
e. The Fetal Programming (FP) initiative has successfully integrated nutrition,
reproductive biology and meat science/food safety into a research trust that
shows benefits for both livestock production along with its human health
implications through biomedical research. This interdisciplinary effort has
shown that maternal nutrient restriction in ewes impaired the skeletal muscle
development in offspring by approximately 20%. Other FP research defined
the effects of under nutrition in early gestation of the beef cow on fetal growth
and placental composition. In addition, it was found that maternal under
nutrition induced differential gene expression in pulmonary hypertensive
steers at high elevation. This research relates to the development of brisket or
high altitude disease which has serious economic ramifications in the beef
industry when production takes place above 6000 to 7000 feet elevation. This
is particularly relevant in WY.
a. A multi-year project funded by the four-state ruminant consortium is
looking at the benefits of early weaning to enhance the economics of
beef production systems. This strategy may be particularly beneficial
in drought years and benefits young beef females in a majority of
years.
b. Our nutrition faculty has been evaluating high-linoleate safflower
seeds on body condition and the fatty acid profile in milk as well as the
resulting performance of suckling calves and reproductive
performance of the cow.
c. Food safety research has evaluated the use of various bacteriophages
to reduce the shedding of E. coli 0157:H7 in pre-slaughter beef cattle
in order to reduce carcass contamination by 0157:H7.
d. The Department of Animal Science Graduate Students have excelled
in various competitions:
i. Won second and third place in competition papers at the 2006
WSASAS regional competition at Utah State University in Salt
Lake City, UT. These two students combined their honors to
receive the $2000 institutional award. This was the third year
that UW ANSC students have won this award out of the four
years it has been presented.
ii. UW Animal Science graduate students won second (Frances
Niemela) and third (Platt Price) place awards for their poster
presentations at the September 2006 Colorado Nutrition
Roundtable. Competing students represent CSU, University of
Nebraska at Lincoln and institutions from western Kansas.
iii. An ANSC student won one outstanding oral presentation
(Ph.D. student Chuck Murrieta) at the 2007 Graduate Student
Symposium this past April.
iv. Gamma Sigma Delta (GSD) Outstanding Ph.D. student –
Qingwu Shen (Du advisee in Meat Science); Recently accepted
Post Doctoral position at Purdue University.
v. Keith Underwood (Ph.D. student working in Meat Science with
Dr. Du) received first place in Graduate Poster Competition at
2007 Reciprocal Meats Conference at South Dakota State
University in Brookings, SD (6/07).
5. Service, Extension and Outreach Activities keep our Department connected to
producer and consumer clientele throughout the state and region.
 Department administered both a summer meat-breeds Ram Test for the
Wyoming Wool Growers’ Association and a winter WY Rambouillet
Association Test at the UW Sheep Unit. These tests are excellent Public
Relations activities that effectively provide the industry with needed
information to enhance genetic improvement in the sheep industry and better
position WY Lamb for their branded Mountain States Lamb and Wool
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Cooperative product. Dr. Bob Stobart and Brent Larson, UW sheep unit
manager are actively involved with these activities.
Continue to provide leadership to the educational activities of the Wyoming
Beef Cattle Improvement Association (WBCIA). Dr. Steve Paisley
administers the WBCIA Feedlot Test and Carcass Evaluation Program which
allows WY producers to evaluate retained ownership as a marketing
alternative and better positions WY beef for branded product participation.
Dr. Paisley also assists with the WBCIA Bull & Heifer Tests as well as their
respective sales. These activities are both critical to positioning WY
producers to take advantage of industry opportunities.
Dr. Paisley serves as the WY Beef Quality Assurance Coordinator. This is a
program that was designed to reduce the quality and consistency shortfalls in
the beef industry that is now more focused on the consuming public than in
the past. Producers, veterinarians and extension educators can become
certified trainers through a developed process.
Dr. Warrie Means annually gives leadership to the WY & CO Meat
Processors Workshop and assists small meat plants within WY with their
HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) Plans which allows them to
meet state inspection guidelines.
Extension Specialists in ANSC support educational programming associated
with Profitability and Sustainability of Agricultural Systems (PSAS) and
Human Nutrition and Food Safety Extension Initiatives.
Dr. Paisley serves as WY Representative on the four-state Range Beef Cow
Symposium that will be held in Ft. Collins, CO in December, 2007. From 800
to 1000 producers have historically attended this 3-day symposium that rotates
among the four cooperating states and is held every other year.
Dr. Hixon is currently giving leadership to an “Ask the Researcher” article in
the WSGA’s Cow Country Magazine which is published quarterly. The
objective of this initiative was to increase the UW College of Agriculture
visibility and make WY producers aware of research conducted at UW and
other land-grant universities that is applicable to solving their problems.
Readers are encouraged to define problems that they would like to see
addressed in this column. In addition, Dr. Paisley regularly provides articles
in the WY Livestock Roundup (state) and the Tri-State Livestock News
(regional).
The ANSC Department annually hosts the Cowboy Youth Classic under the
leadership of Lance Miller, Livestock Judging Team Coach and Departmental
recruiter, each June. This event includes a Friday afternoon of educational
workshops on relevant industry issues for 4-H and FFA youth and their
parents. This not only serves as an excellent extension educational
opportunity but allows clientele to experience our excellent facilities and meet
our people. It has become an excellent recruiting tool for potential College of
Agriculture students. Approximately 175 young people and their families
were served a complimentary Friday evening meal at the 2006 CYC. This
year’s event will be held on June 22 and 23, 2007 at the Hansen Livestock
Teaching Arena. Traditional beef, sheep and swine shows take place on
Saturday following the Friday educational events. Youth are required to
attend the educational workshops before they are allowed to show their
project animals and compete for prize money in the Saturday show.
6. Recruitment and Retention Activities and Enrollment Trends;
 The Department Head sent numerous individual letters to potential
undergraduate and graduate students in the past year. He also met
individually and discussed ANSC programs with 32 visiting potential students
and their parents during the past year
 Annual Cowboy Youth Classic (described in previous section) serves as an
excellent recruitment activity.
 Lance Miller also gives leadership to the State 4-H Livestock and Wool
judging contests and assists with the State FFA Livestock Judging Contest. In
addition, Shane Thompson, Meat Lab Manager administers both the State 4-H
and FFA Meat Judging Contests in our Meat Laboratory facilities.
 Mr. Miller visited 5 Junior College campuses in the past year to recruit
potential students for the College of Agriculture as well as the Department of
Animal Science. Lance also administers a Junior College Livestock Judging
Contest at the Hansen Teaching Arena each October. Approximately 100
potential UW student recruits attend this event that is sponsored by the
Department of ANSC.
 The Head of the Department of Animal Science continues to serve on the Ag
Education Advisory Committee and has developed of a concurrent major in
ANVS and Ag Education. It is thought that this alternative will further
enhance our ANVS student enrollment since all entering Ag Ed majors must
also enroll in one of three available current majors starting with entering
freshmen in fall 2006. There were 20 such students who enrolled in the three
concurrent majors presently offered by the Ag College in 2006.
 The establishment of a Plan B Masters of Science program in ANVS should
continue to increase the number of ANVS graduate students. This program
was developed to serve students who are trying to enhance their opportunities
to be accepted into veterinary school in addition to students who need an MS
degree although might not need the research emphasis (i.e., sales personnel,
extension educators, etc.) required of the Plan A program. Plan B students are
not eligible to receive graduate stipends. Their program is course-work
intensive and requires an extensive written literature review and the passing of
a comprehensive exam.
 Advising responsibilities are stressed by the Department play a critical role in
retention and student success. Through the use of e-mail, advisors stay in
touch with students and make them aware of opportunities to further enhance
their educational experience. Animal Science faculty takes advising
responsibilities very seriously and excels in these responsibilities.
 A new ANSC FIG was established in the fall semester of 2005 under the
leadership of Dr. Steve Horn and with capable assistance from Dr. Paul
Ludden. Numerous activities were scheduled including group trips and
outside speakers. The activity has been a success and the FIG will be
continued in fall 2007 with Dr. Cammack replacing Dr. Ludden’s assistance.
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7.
The Department of Animal Science hosted 24 Vo-Ag students from Laramie
High School to an all-day visitation with associated tours and lectures in Nov.
of 2006. In addition, 14 senior-level students from BYU-Idaho visited labs
and talked to faculty for a half-day about potential graduate programs in
March, 2007.
 We graduated 8 M.S. students and 3 Ph.D. students over the period of this
report.
 Enrollment trends- By tracking advisors, we continually find discrepancies
with OIA numbers. It is very difficult to maintain accurate numbers when a
joint curriculum (Animal and Veterinary Science) and interdisciplinary
programs (Reproductive Biology; Food Sci. & Human Nutrition) are included.
In spring 2007, OIA showed 128 ANVS majors and our advisor count was
139. That said our number of majors appears to show a slight increase in the
past three semesters. In addition, the leveraging of GA’s and the development
of the Plan B M.S. program (currently have 3 students in various stages of
completion) promises to increase our numbers of graduate students.
Development Activities and Public Relations
 Finalized agreement with Becky Russell to provide the William “Bill” Russell
Wheel of Brands Scholarship in memory of this former ANSC faculty
member.
 Currently working to finalize a scholarship in honor of Gloria and the late
Gary Parker of Shamrock Angus. This is being established by family and
friends along with Sunny Valley Angus, the current owners of Shamrock
Angus Ranch.
 Working with Anne Leonard to develop agreement with Steve Whitmire of
Atlanta, GA to finalize a $40,000 donation to leverage other funding sources
to purchase a Grow Safe Feeding System to be installed at SAREC. This
cutting edge technology can be used to determine individual feed intake and
therefore individual feed efficiency in group fed beef animals.
 The Schoonover Endowment now contains over $111,000 and will provide
multiple (3 or 4) scholarships for the 07-08 academic year.
 The Department continues to work with the Cowboy Joe Club and the SteerA-Year Program. By recruiting new cooperators to this program, the ANSC
Judging Teams received approximately $6000 to add to the Riley Judging
Team Endowment to help fund travel expenses associated with our
sponsorships of livestock, meat, and wool judging teams as well as our
academic quadrathlon team.
 Each May our Department hosts School Days which draws from 600 to 800
youngsters ranging from pre-schoolers to second graders at the Hansen
Livestock Teaching Arena to view baby animals. Faculty, staff and graduate
students serve as tour guides and answer student and teacher questions about
animal production.
 The Department publishes a newsletter twice annually to keep our clientele
and alumni informed about what is going on with faculty, staff, and students
in the Department of Animal Science.
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Staff assistant Carrie Burke continues to enhance the friendliness of our
Departmental Website. The site is easy for students, staff and clients to use
and is continually being improved with user suggestions. A Job Listings
button contains all employment opportunities as we are made aware of them.
We are encouraging instructors to use the website to post course notes.
During the school year, the ANSC website has been averaging over 50,000
hits per month.
8. Classified and Professional Staffing
 Faculty and staff supervisory roles have been clarified with the Department
Head requesting HR to conduct a supervisory training session last year. This
has resulted in the successful completion of probation for a Lab Tech I as well
as two office staff. Quarterly evaluations are now routinely conducted on
probationary employees so that there are no surprises at the end of the
probationary period. Our Livestock Manager (Beef) position is currently halfway through this process.
 We will be restructuring an agricultural assistant position as a Lab Tech I to
serve as a support position to be shared by a new Food Microbiologist faculty
member and a current meat science faculty position.
9. Diversity
 We were fortunate that our last two faculty hires were both the most qualified
applicants and were also minorities. A third position was also offered to a
minority (Chinese female) but although she very much was interested in the
position, her husband and daughter would not move to Laramie. Our position
advertisements are always approved by the Employment Practices Office and
include the standard statement encouraging minorities and the underrepresented to apply.
 Our graduate student population this fall will contain 7 women, and three
Asians in addition to 5 Caucasian males. We attempt to attract the best
potential students available to our program. Although we always encourage
additional diversity, I believe our current mix of graduate students would
suggest that we have been relatively successful in attracting a diverse mix of
students. In addition, Drs. Connie and Lydia Kercher have endowed a
graduate scholarship in our Department for an outstanding international
student. This past year the recipient of that scholarship, Qingwu Shen, was
selected by Gamma Sigma Delta as the Outstanding Ph.D. student in the
College of Agriculture.
10. Assessment of Student Learning
A. ANVS Student Learning Outcomes (SLO) are listed on our ANSC
Departmental website and are linked to the Academic Affairs Assessment
website. They are the same basic Student Learning Outcomes as was listed
last year.
B. We are in the process of mapping our curriculum. Our Departmental Course
and Curriculum Committee have approved a template that has been sent to
ANSC faculty to allow them to evaluate how their respective courses
contribute to the specific student learning outcomes. They will identify if
their course contributes to a student’s:
i. Oral communication skills
ii. Written communication skills
iii. Discipline-specific knowledge
iv. Ability of critically evaluate information and solve problems.
(In addition, our Pre-Vet Option students should meet the requirements
for enrollment into Veterinary School.)
Each instructor will then describe in a short statement why they believe what
they are teaching in these classes contributes to the identified Student
Learning Outcomes. Each course may not contribute to all of the identified
SLO but each should at least contribute to iii above. The Course and
Curriculum Committee will then provide feedback as to whether they agree
with the instructor’s assessment of these contributions or whether there might
be something additional that the instructor could further do to enhance the
course’s contribution to a specific student learning outcome.
We have continued to have graduating seniors complete option-specific exit
surveys. This past spring semester over 90% of our graduating seniors
completed these surveys. These data (four years in databank) will be
evaluated this coming year by the Joint Curriculum Committee members to
try and identify trends that should be addressed by changes in the curriculum
within each of the current options.
Student competitions on a regional and national basis also give some insight
into how our students compare to other students at comparable institutions.
As discussed in other components of this report, both undergraduate and
graduates students from within our program have been successful in
competitions on both a regional and national basis.
In addition to the above, we will be instituting a writing assessment to firstsemester students in our ANSC 1000 class (meets I & L USP requirements)
and a similar writing assessment to our final-semester students in ANSC 4630
(WC) to assess the progress in writing skills of students who complete out
program. Our Joint Curriculum Committee will assist Dr. Horn (who teaches
both of these courses) with the development of the assessment tool as well as
the grading or evaluation of the respective assignments. This evaluation will
be completed in the upcoming academic year.
C.
To this point, we have not attempted to reach students post-graduation. However,
in the upcoming academic year, an assessment survey will be developed and sent
to students who are one year and four years post- BS graduates by the end of the
spring semester. We will attempt to locate these former students through alumni
association and parent addresses. MS and Ph.D. students typically remain in
contact with their major professors. Likewise, these students will also be
contacted with a simplified survey instrument asking for feedback on strengths
and weaknesses in their graduate programs.