Fall 2010Texas Tech University

IN THIS ISSUE

Striving for Honor byServing Others

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Livestock Judging Team Finishes 3rd at International CompetitionMeat Science QuizBowl Team Repeatsas National Champs

Meat Judging TeamPlaces 2nd at InternationalTherapeutic Riding

Graduate StudentSpotlight

Homecoming Banquet & Hall of Fame Recipients

New Enrollment RecordStrategic Hire

Salute to Excellence;AFS Graduate Inductedinto National 4-H Hall of Fame

Department of Animal and Food Sciences

AsAmericancitizens,weareaffordedastableandsafefoodsupplythatweoftentakeforgrantedwhensittingdowntoeatasteakatdinner.Somemaynotrealizehowluckywereallyare.Manycountriesarefacedwithfoodsafetyissuestheyareunabletofixontheirownduetoalackofresourcesandknowledge. However,withextensiveresearchandfoodsafetyawarenessconductedbyindividualsintheDepartmentofAnimalandFoodSciencesinconjunctionwiththeInternationalCenterforFoodIndustryExcellenceateameffortisbe-ingusedtoimprovethequalityofbeef,providemorejobsandadvancethestandardoflivinginMexico. “TheworkinMexicohasbeengoingonfortwoyearsnow,”ProfessorMindyBrashearssaid. “WeengagedintheworkinMexicotoassisttheminimprov-ingfoodsafetywithinthecountryasfood-borneillnessisthenumberonecauseofdeathinchildrenunderfiveinMexico.”

SeveralgraduatestudentsincludingAnsenPond,ShannaWardandClaudiaBravoareconductingresearchunderProfessorsMindyBrashearsandMarkMillertodeterminetheprevalenceofSalmonellainbeefandporkinvariousmarketsinmajorMexicocities.Additionally,theirresearchalsoinvolvesde-termininghowpathogensaretransferredtohumansthroughthesysteminbeeffeedlotsandharvestoperations. “WehavealsoimprovedthesafetyofprocessingplantsimportingmeattotheUSwhichhasaneconomicinfluenceonthetraderelationshipwithMexicoandtheUS,”explainedBrashears. “Inadditiontotheelaborateresearch,work-shops,presentationsandtrainingseminarsarealsobeingconductedbyDr.ToddBrashearsandhisgraduatestudentstodetermineknowledgegainedfromtheworkshopsandbehaviorchangesthatresultfromanincreaseinknowledge.” InOctober,representativesfromtheMexicanMeatIndustryattendedathree-dayworkshopthatentailedfoodsafety,meatqualityattributes,andcar-cassfabricationatTexasTechUniversityinLubbock. “KnowledgegainedduringthisvisitandthenetworkingopportunitiesoffergreatpotentialforfuturefoodsafetyresearchinMexico”,saidAlejandroEcheverry,assistantprofessorinFoodMicrobiology.ItalsostrengthenstherelationshipbetweentheDepartmentofAnimalandFoodSciencesandtheindustry.” WithallofthesuccessinMexico,thereisnowwordofthegroupreachingouttoothercountriestobecomeapartoftheirfoodsafetytransformations. “KevinPond,ClaudiaBravo,AnsenPondandIattendedthesecondLatinAmericansymposiumonfoodsafetyinBogota,Colombia,”explainedEcheverry.“Threedifferentpostersofcurrentfoodsafetyresearchconduct-edinMexicowerepresentedsuccessfullywhichwasfollowedbyanadditionalmeetingwithrepresentativesfromColombia’sBeefCattleFederation.” FollowingthemeetinginBogota,thefacultyandstudentstraveledtoMedellin,Colombia,wheretheymetwithrepresentativesfromtheColombianNationalLearningService(ServicioNacionaldeAprendizaje,SENA),ClaudiaV.BohorquezandCarlosTrujillo,todiscussfutureprojects. InOctober,theSENArepresentativesvisitedTexasTechUniversityandamemorandumofunderstandingforfuturecollaborationbetweenthetwoorganizationswassigned. ThefuturelookspromisingastheDepartmentofAnimalandFoodScienceswiththeInternationalCenterforFoodIndustryExcellencestriveforexcellencebyservingothercountriesinneedbyaidingtheminestablishingastablefoodsupply,changingawayoflife,andboostingtheireconomy.

~byFaithJurek

2 Department of Animal and Food Sciences

TexasTechUniversity’s2010LivestockJudgingTeamfinishedthirdattherecentNorthAmericanInternationalLivestockExpositioninLou-isville,Ky.,onNov.16.TheteamwasnarrowlydefeatedbyOklahomaStateUniversityandKansasStateUniversitywhofinishedfirstandsecond.Only32pointsseparatedthetopthreeteams.TexasA&MUniversityandMinnesotaroundedoutthetopfiveteamsoverall. Thecontesttestedthecontestants’knowledgeofcattle,sheep,andswineaswellastheiroralreasons. Thirtyteamsgatheredfromacrossthenationtocompeteforthetitle. TheRedRaiderswontheperformancebeefdivision,weresecondinthecattledivision,thirdinthesheepdivision,andfifthintheswinedivision. “AlthoughthestudentsweredisappointedthattheNationalChampionshipeludedusthisweek,Iamstillextremelyproudoftheresiliency,workethic,andintegritytheyhavedemonstratedthroughouttheyearrepresentingthemselves,theDepartmentofAnimalandFoodSciencesandTexasTechUniversity”,saidAssistantprofessorandcoachRyanRathmann.“Theyprovedtobecompetitivethroughouttheentireyearcon-sistentlyplacingtowardsthetopateverycontest.Theycompetedatanimpressivelevel;wejustgotbeatbyanearperfectperformance.” TheteambegantheircompetitiveyearwithanimpressivewinattheNationalWesternStockShowinDenver,Colo.,andrecentlyrankedsecondattheAmericanRoyalinKansasCity,Kan. TwoRedRaidersfinishedinthetop-tenoverall.PeytonWilde,aseniorfromWall,finishedseventhoverallandCalebCrosswhite,aseniorfromMcKinneyfinishedeighthoverall.

In addition to Wilde and Crosswhite, team members include: Riggin Barham, a senior from Blooming Grove Brittany Boxwell, a senior from Perryton Kirby Carpenter, a senior from Kiowa, Colo. Chelsea Clifton, a senior from Kingfisher, Okla.Josh Cribbs, a senior from Plant City, Fla.Collin Corbin, a senior from League City Meagan Igo, a senior from Plainview Tyler Maltsberger, a senior from Helotes Josh McCann, a senior from Newport, Va. Stormie McClurg, a junior from Nazareth Chance Neff, a senior from San Angelo Brandon Reeves, a junior from Mt. Solon, Va. Henry Ruiz, a senior from Eagle Pass Ben Scott, a senior from Douglas, Ga.Martin Shaw, a senior from Hilmar, Calif. The team is coached by Rathmann, graduate student Bryan Bernhard and under

graduate student Josh Flohr.ThreeTexasTechteammemberswereselectedtotheAllAmericanTeam,aswell.Crosswhite,IgoandMcCannallreceivedthisprestigioushonorbasedupontheirscholasticachievements,communityserviceandcontestperformance. “Theintelligenceandmake-it-happenselflessattitudeofthesestudentsisunmatchedamongsttheirpeers.Ilookforwardtothefutureimpactthesestudentswillhavebothprofessionallyandpersonallyonotherpeopleintheirlifeduetotheskillstheyhavedevelopedthroughparticipationinlivestockjudging”,saidRathmann.“Icanpromisethattheywillmakeadifference!”

Texas Tech Livestock Judging Team Finishes Third at International Competition

PhotocourtesyofJoeyHernandez

StaffPhoto

“Thesestudentshavestudiedandworkedhardformonthsanddedicatedthemselvestoexcellence,”saidMark Miller,TexasTech’sSanAntonioLivestockExpositionDistinguishedChairinMeatScience.“Iwassoexcitedthatourteamsfinishedfirstandsecondforthefirsttimeinschoolhistory.”

TexasTechUniversity’sMeatScienceAcademicQuizBowlTeamwonback-to-backnationalchampionships,takingthetopspotonceagainJune23atthe63rdAnnualReciprocalMeatConferenceinLubbock.TheRedRaiderteamaddedtonationaltitleswonatthecompetitionin2003,2005,2007and2009.

Meat Science Academic Quiz Bowl Team Repeats as National Champs

Separately,LongandCorbinwerepresentedUndergraduateAcademicScholasticAchievementAwardsatthemeetingfortheiroutstandingacademicachievementandleadershipinthemeatscienceindustry.

The 2010 team members included: • Adam Copeland, a senior from Katy • Collin Corbin, a senior from League City • Caleb Crosswhite, a senior from McKinney • Mai Lee Holmes, a junior from Katy • Tyler Maltsberger, a senior from Helotes • Markus Miller, a junior from Abernathy

• Nathan Reeves, a junior from League City • Martin Shaw, a senior from Hilmar, Calif. • Troy Tarpley, a junior from Fort Stockton • Loni Woolley, a junior from Grandview • Tech seniors Abby Long and Matt Bruton coached the team.

3Department of Animal and Food Sciences

TexasTech’sTherapeuticRidingCenter(TTRC)brokegroundonJune14onphaseoneofathree-phaseprojecttoconstructanewtherapeuticriding,teachingandresearchfacility.Oncecompleted,theexpandedfacilitywillfeatureanindoorridingarea,classroomsandwaitingrooms. TheadditionswillallowTexasTechtoprovidemoretherapeuticrid-ingandhippotherapysessions.Itwillalsobroadencurrentresearchintotheeffectsofequinetherapy. “Thisfacilityisbeingbuiltspecificallyforequine-assistedtherapywithaccessibilityinmind,”saidHeatherHernandez,programdirec-torforthecenter.“ItwillallowtheTTRCtoexpandthenumberofclientsthatweseeandprovideaprivateplacethatnotonlyminimizesdistractions,butensuresthatwemaintaintheconfidentialityofourclients.” Formedin1998incollaborationbetweentheCollegeofAgriculturalSciencesandNaturalResourcesandUniversityMedicalCenter,theTTRCprovidestherapeutichorsebackridingandhippotherapytochildrenandadultswithphysical,cognitiveandemotionaldisabili-ties. “Thisisagreatdayforus,”saidHeidiBrady,associateprofessorintheDepartmentofAnimalandFoodSciencesanddirectoroftheTTRC.“Ourneedshavereallygrownoverthepast12yearsasdemandforoursessionshasincreased,soIwanttothankthoseatTexasTechwhohavesupportedusandhelpedusraisemoneyforconstruction,andacknowledgethehundredsofstudentswhohavemadethisawonderfulprogramfortheriders.” ThecenterisaccreditedunderthePremierAccreditedCenter.

TexasTechUniversity’sMeatJudgingTeamendedtheirseasononawinningnotewiththeselectionoftwoRedRaidersasfirstteamAMSAAll-AmericansandtheteamtakingsecondplaceovertheweekendattheInternationalMeatJudgingCompetitioninDakotaCity,Neb. “Wewereundefeatedatsixofsevennationalcontestsduringthe2010judgingseason,makingthisteamoneofthemostsuccessfulteamssincemeatjudgingbeganatTexasTechin1938,”saidMarkMiller,themeatjudgingteamcoachandTech’sSanAntonioLivestockShowDistin-guishedChairinMeatScience. TheRedRaiderswereedgedoutofthetopspotatnationalsbyColoradoStateUniversitywhopostedascoreof4,160pointsandwontheeventbyonly38-points.Roundingoutthetopfiveinthisyear’seventwereKansasStateUniversity,OklahomaStateUniversityandTexasA&MUniversity.Officialsindicatedthat17universitiesfromacrossthenationcompetedintheevent. Intermsofindividualachievement,LoniWoolley,ajunioranimalsciencestudentfromGrandview,wonhighindividualhonorswithascoreof1,061.ShewasjoinedinthetoprankingsbyteammateTrevorWhite,ajuniorfromNewHome.Hescored1,042pointsandfinishedfifthoverall.

Meanwhile,NathanReeves,ajuniorfromLeagueCity,tookthefifthhighindi-vidualinthealternatedivision.

Other meat judging team members participating were:• Mai Lee Holmes, a junior from Katy• Jessica Kimbro, a senior from Paradise• Katie Rose McCullough, a junior from Castle Rock, Colo.• Markus Miller, a junior from Abernathy• Troy Tarpley, a junior from Fort Stockton Separately,WoolleyandWhitewerenamed2010FirstTeamAll-AmericansbytheAmericanMeatScienceAssociation.MembersoftheAll-AmericanTeamsareselectedbaseduponscholasticachievementandcompetitionperformance. Finally,Tech’sTarpleywaspresentedtheRachelHamiltonSpiritAward.Thehonorisgiveninrecognitionofthecommitment,dedicationandteamworkdisplayedduringhismeatjudgingcareer.

Meat Judging Team Places Second at International

PhotocourtesyofJoeyHernandez

PhotocourtesyofNormanMartin

Therapeutic Riding;Ground Breaking Center Expands in More Ways Than One

4 Department of Animal and Food Sciences

Alums Highlight AFS Hall of Fame & Meat Science Recognition Banquet

TexasTech’sDepartmentofAnimalandFoodScienceshon-oredoutstandingalumniperformanceatitsHallofFameandMeatScienceRecognitionBanquetattheUnitedSpiritArena.Amongthosecitedwere:•Todd Thompson,Hall of Fame – Distinguished Service Award.TheAbernathynativeisalongtimesupporterandcurrentchairmanoftheadvisoryboardforTech’sTherapeuticRidingCenter.Hereceivedhisbachelor’sdegreeinagriculturaleconomicsfromTexasTechandbeganhiscareerwithMerrillLynchfollowinggraduation.•Paul Defoor,Hall of Fame – Horizon Award.TheWillisnativeiscurrentlyvicepresidentanddirectorofanalysisatCactusFeeders,whichfeeds1millionheadofcattleannually.HeispastpresidentofthePlainsNutritionCouncil.Hereceivedhisbachelor’sanddoctor-atedegreesinanimalscienceandruminantnutritionfromTexasTech.•Ryan Biggs,Hall of Fame – Horizon Award.ThePanhandleareana-tiveisvicepresidentofstrategicplanningforAbuelo’sandcurrentlyservesaschairmanofTech’sInternationalCenterforFoodIndustryExcellence.HewaspreviouslyseniormanagerofproductanalysisanddevelopmentwithBrinkerInternational.Hereceivedhisbach-elor’sdegreeinfoodsciencefromTexasTech.•Dan Thomson,Hall of Fame – Advanced Graduate of Distinction Award.ThenativeofClearfield,Iowa,isthedirectoroftheBeefCattleInstituteatKansasState’sCollegeofVeterinaryMedicine.Hereceivedhisbachelor’sdegreeandDVMfromIowaState.Hismaster’sdegreeisfromSouthDakotaStateandhisdoctorateisfromTexasTech.•Robert Albin,Hall of Fame – Graduate of Distinction Award.ThelongtimeCASNRadministratorservedasassociatedeanforre-searchandasinterimdean,inadditiontobeingnamedadistin-guishedalumnus.Hereceivedhisbachelor’sandmaster’sdegree

inanimalhusbandryfromTexasTech.HisdoctorateisfromtheUniversityofNebraska.•John Burns,Meathead of the Year.AdistinguishedadministratoratTexasTechfordecades,hehasservedasCASNR’sdean,aswellasprovostoftheuniversity.HefoundedtheTexasTechUniversityTeachingAcademy.Hisbachelor’sdegreeandmaster’sdegreearefromNewMexicoState.Hisdoctorateinzoologyandendocrinol-ogyisfromIndianaUniversity.•Monica Hightower,Albert Usener Award.TheWichitaFallsnativemanagestheSouthwestFarm&RanchClassicagriculturaltrade-show,theNationalCowboySymposium&Celebration,andCorner-stoneGroup,avideoproductionfirm.SheservesaspresidentoftheTexasTechAnimalScienceAlumniAssociation.Shereceivedherbachelor’sdegreeinanimalbusinessmanagementfromTexasTech.•Jeff Lansdell,Outstanding Meat Science Alumnus.PresidentofCEVMultimedia,heworkswiththemanagementgroupinproductdevelopment,marketing,salesanddistribution.HewasawardedtheAubreyDavisFamilyAwardforoutstandingleadership(2005).Hereceivedhisbachelor’sandmaster’sdegreesinmeatscienceandmusclebiologyfromTexasTech. Separately,programofficialscitedthestrongperformancesofthe2010NationalChampionMeatScienceQuizBowlTeaminaddi-tiontocommemoratingthe20-yearanniversaryofthe1990MeatJudgingTeamandthe10-yearanniversaryofthe2000ReserveNationalChampionMeatJudgingTeam. Meanwhile,oneoftheevening’shighlightswasrecognitionoftheestablishmentoftheDr.C.BoydRamseyMeatScienceClass-roomandLibraryandtherecognitionoftheSanAntonioStockShow’scontributiontotheMeatandFoodScienceandTherapeuticRidingProgramsinJimmieRuthEvans’honor.

~WrittenbyNormanMartin

RobertAlbinGraduateofDistinctionAward

JeffLansdell-OutstandingMeatScienceAlumnus

DanThomsonGraduateofDistinctionAward

ToddThompsonDistinguishedServiceAward

RyanBiggsHorizonAward

BoydRamsey-EstablishmentofC.BoydRamseyClassroom

andLibrary

PaulDefoorHorizonAward

5Department of Animal and Food Sciences

Graduate StudentSpotlight

Jerrad Legako

“Jerrad is a great student. In

fact, he is one of the only grad

students who is trying to use

the equipment we have and has

an ability to understand and

use separation chemistry.”

PhotobyFaithJurek

Everyonelikestoenjoyagoodsteakeverynowandthen.Butwho’stosaywhatqualifiesas“thebest”flavor?TexasTechUniver-sitydoctoralstudent,JerradLegako,isoneoftheresearchersintheDepartmentofAnimalandFoodSciencesthatistryingtodeter-minethequalitiesofbeefflavoranditsimpactonconsumerpalatabilityoreatingquality. NativetoLubbock,Texas,Legakosaidthataftergrowingupworkingwithhisdadinthecropscienceindustry,healwaysknewhewoulddosomethingsciencerelated.Althoughhewasnotexactlysurewhichsciencehewouldendupstudying,LegakoreceivedhisundergraduatedegreeinbiologyfromTexasTechUniversity. FollowinghisgraduationfromTexasTech,LegakomovedtoStillwater,Okla.,andpursuedamasterofscienceinfoodscienceatOklahomaStateUniversity.HispaththenledbacktoTexasTechwherehebeganhiscurrentresearchworkingunderAssociateProfessorChanceBrooks. “Characterizingbeefqualityisnotnew,”Brooksstated.“What’suniqueaboutJerradisthatheisrelatinghisresearchtoconsumerpanels.” BrooksquicklyidentifiedthefactorsthatmadeLegakostandoutasagraduatestudent. “Jerradisagreatstudent.Infact,heisoneoftheonlygradstudentswhoistryingtousetheequipmentwehaveandhasanabilitytounderstandanduseseparationchemistry.”Brookssaidwhendescribinghim.“Heisjustagoodteacherthatinteractsreallywellwiththepublic.” ConsideringLegakoistakinganewapproachinhisresearch,hehasfacedafewdifficulties. “Myresearchhasbeenchallenging,”Legakoexplained. “Therearealotofunknownsinvolvedwithit;however,Idoenjoythataspect. Myhopeisthatwecanattheveryleasttakesomesmallstepsthatwillultimatelyhaveapositiveimpact.” LegakorecentlyreturnedfromatriptoIrelandwhereheworkedfortwoweekswithseveraloftheworld’stopflavorresearchers.Thisgavehimevenmoreinsightintohisresearchspecializationarea. Asidefromhisresearch,LegakoalsoparticipatesintheTEACH(TeachingEffectivenessAndCareerenHancement)pro-gram. “TEACHisafellowshipthatIappliedforthatiscampus-wideforPh.D.students,”Legakosaid.“Thereare19ofusthatwereselected,andit’sawaytohonemyteachingskills.” LegakoexplainedthattheTEACHprogramprovidesdoctoralstudentswiththeopportunitytocreateaprofessionalteachingportfolio,gainclassfeedbackthroughinstructorvideotapingandpeerobservations,andcreateaprojectwithafacultymentor. Whenaskedabouthisfutureplans,Legakoexplainedthatwhileheisinterestedinanacademicposition,heisalsolookingatindustryjobsthatwouldallowhimtocontinuefocusingonresearch.However,nomatterwhatLegakodecidestodointhefuture,heappreciateshowTexasTechhasimpactedhislife. “MyexperienceatTexasTechhasbeengreat,”hesaid. “Allofthefacultyherecreateaverypositiveenvironmentforlearningandgrowth. IhavebeenprovidedwithexperiencesandopportunitiesthatIwillalwaysbethankfulfor.”~WrittenbyFaithJurek

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Texas Tech Officials Announce Strategic Hiring of Noted Animal Science Researcher

TexasTech’sCollegeofAgriculturalSciencesandNaturalResourcesreachedabenchmarkinstudentenrollmentwitharecordnum-berofstudentssignedupforclassesinthefallsemester,universityofficialsreport.Finalenrollmentstoodat1,785,up5.6percentfromlastfall’s1,685. “It’saverypositivesign,”saidJohnBurns,deanoftheCollegeofAgriculturalSciencesandNaturalResources.Thenumbersforindividualdepartmentswere:•DepartmentofAgricultural&AppliedEconomics:338(Grad:45/Undergrad:293)•DepartmentofAgriculturalEducation&Communications:300(Grad:59/Undergrad:241)•Animal&FoodSciences:464(Grad:67/Undergrad:397)•DepartmentofLandscapeArchitecture:146(Grad:19/Undergrad:127)•NaturalResourcesManagement:279(Grad:50/Undergrad:229)•DepartmentofPlant&SoilScience:238(Grad:99/Undergrad:139)•AgriculturalUndecided:15(Grad:9/Undergrad:6) CASNR’sundergraduateenrollmentthisfallwasup5.2percentat1,437.Morespecifically,theDepartmentofAnimalandFoodSci-ences’undergraduateenrollmentwasupanimpressive11percentthisfallaftera9percentjumpinfall2009. ThetotalnumberofCASNRdoctoralstudentsthisfallwas138,a22percentrisefromjusttwoyearsagowhenthecountwas107.TheDepartmentofAnimalandFoodSciencescurrentlyhas33doctoralstudents. Meanwhile,TexasTechasawholesurpassedpreviousenrollmentrecordsforthesecondstraightyear,eclipsing31,000studentsforthefirsttime.Finalenrollmentforfall2010was31,637–anincreaseof1,588fromthepreviousrecordsetlastfall.

On Track: CASNR sets NEW ENROLLMENT RECORD, doctoral students on the rise

AsTexasTechcontinuesitsjourneytowardTierOnestatus,administrationofficialsannouncedthestrategichiringsofsevenrespectedresearcherswhowillhelpgrowtheuniversity’sresearchcapabilities.AmongthenewlyaddedfacultymembersisGuyLoneragan,nowaprofessorwiththeDepartmentofAnimalandFoodSciences. Loneragan,whojoinedtheTechfacultyinJuly,wasformerlyanepidemiologistandassociateprofessoratWestTexasA&MUniversity.HealsoservedinadjunctfacultyrolesatTexasTech,ColoradoStateUniver-sity,KansasStateUniversityandTexasA&MUniversity. “TexasTechisveryattractivetome,”Loneragansaid.“Ihaveworkedwithpeopleattheuniversityforthebetterpartofthelasttenyears,andI’vealwaysbeenimpressedbythequalityoftheresearchersonthiscampus.Theyreallyareofinternationalrenown,andnowTexasTechclearlyhasworld-classfacilities,andultimatelythewholepackagecomingtogetherprovidedjustsuchanexcitingopportunity.”

Loneragan’sresearchfocusesprimarilyonepidemiologicalapproachestofoodsafety,specificallyfillingdatagapsconcerningpre-harvestecologyandmitigationofE. coli O157,Salmonellaandantimicrobialdrugresistance.Inadditiontofoodsafety,heworksonepidemiologicalaspectstoanimalhealthandwellbeing. “MindyBrashears,directorofTexasTech’sInternationalCenterforFoodIndustryExcellencebringsatrackrecordofsuccessfulresearchtoTexasTech”,saidLoneragan. “GuyandIhaveworkedextensivelytogetherforthepastnineyears,”shesaid.“HewillplayaverysignificantroleatTexasTechwiththeInternationalCenterforFoodIndustryExcellenceandourresearchprogram.” HiringoftheseresearchersisoneofthekeyelementsinbecomingaTierOneresearchinstitute,universityofficialsstressed.“ToreachTierOnestatus,wecannottakesmallstepsforward,”saidTexasTechPresidentGuyBailey.“Wemustmakeaquantumleap.” “Attractingnew,high-profilefacultymembersisonewaytoincreasenotonlythecaliberofresearchthatTexasTechcandointhefuture,butalsothequalityofeducationstudentscanreceive,”hesaid. TaylorEighmy,vicepresidentofresearch,addedthatthroughthestrategichiringprocess,theuniversitywillincreaseitsnationalresearchvisibility. “TexasTechhasawonderfulopportunitytostrategicallyexpandexternallyfundedresearch,promoteeconomicdevelopmentandfurtheritscreativeactivity,”hesaid.“Hiringtop-levelresearcherssuchasthesewillensureTexasTech’sfuturecredentialsasatoppublicresearchuniver-sity.” AchievingNationalResearchUniversitydesignation,orTierOne,wouldputTexasTechintoanelitecategoryofuniversities.Nationalre-searchuniversitieshaveannualresearchexpendituresofatleast$100million.Theyoffermorethan50doctoraldegreeprogramsandhavemorethan1,000tenuretrackfaculty.Theyalsousuallyhavelargeundergraduatepopulationsandofferawide-rangeofundergraduatedegrees.

7Department of Animal and Food Sciences

AlvinDavis,aTexasTechUniversityalumnusandprominentleaderinthecowboycultureandranch-ingheritagemovement,hasbeennamedtotheNational4-HHallofFame.ThePostnativewasamong16honoreesfromaroundthecountryselectedtoreceivetheannualhonor. HallofFameAwardrecipientsarerecognizedfortheirlifetimeachievementsandcontributionsto4-H,officialsnoted.AsasophomoreatTexasTech,DavisreceivedtheMosesTrophy,ahistoricalnational4-Hleadershipaward.Atthetimeitwasthehighesthonorthata4-Hclubmembercouldreceive. Davis’inductionceremonywasheldOct.8attheNational4-HYouthConferenceCenterinChevyChase,Md.Hewillbethefirstformer4-HmemberfromTexastobeinducted,thoughfiveformer4-HextensionagentshavebeeninductedfromtheLoneStarstateinthepast. The4-HHallofFamewasestablishedaboutadecadeagoasapartofthe100thanniversarycelebra-tionof4-HworkintheUnitedStates.TheNationalAssociationofExtension4-HAgentssponsoredthecelebrationanditpartnerswiththeNational4-HCouncilandNationalInstituteofFoodandAgricultureintheoperationoftheNational4-HHallofFameproject. Davisreceivedabachelor’sdegreeinanimalhusbandryfromTexasTechin1952.Whileattheuni-versityhewaspresidentoftheTech4-HClubandTechRodeoAssociation.Hewasdirectoroftherodeoassociation’sfirstNationalIntercollegiateRodeoAssociationapprovedrodeoin1950. Meanwhile,DaviswasamemberofseveralotherTechorganizations,includingtheAgricultureClub,

SaddleTramps,InternationalLivestockJudgingTeam,andtheBlockandBridleClub.HewaslaternamedoneofTexasTech’soutstandinganimalhusbandryalumniandwasthefirstinducteetotheTexasTechRodeoHallofFame.HewasnamedoneofTech’sCollegeofAgricul-turalSciencesandNaturalResourcesDistinguishedAlumniin2001. FollowinggraduationDavisworkedasexecutivevicepresidentandadirectorattwonationalbanksintheregion,andlateroperatedamailorderwesternawardsbusinessandownedseveralwesternretailstores.Eventually,hereturnedtoLubbocktoserveasexecutivevicepresidentandgeneralmanageroftheNationalRanchingHeritageCenter.DuringthattimehefoundedNationalCowboySymposium&Celebration.

SCHEDULEUPCOMING EVENTS

Texas Tech Invitational Judging Contests –Thursday, March 31•Registeratwww.judgingcard.comAnimal and Food Sciences Spring Banquet – Saturday, April 9 at 6 p.m.•JoinusatCagleSteakstocelebratetheaccomplishmentsof ourstudentsTexas Tech Meat and Livestock Judging Camps – June 5-7 and June 9-11•RegistrationinformationwillbepostedinFebruaryat www.afs.ttu.edu

State FFA Convention – July 12-15, Texas Tech UniversityYouth Beef 706 Program – July 19-20•HostedbytheDepartmentofAnimalandFoodSciences withtheTexasBeefCouncil•Registrationinformationwillbepostedat www.afs.ttu.eduandwww.meatscience.ttu.edu4-H Livestock Ambassador Program – July 25-27HostedbytheDepartmentofAnimalandFoodScienceswiththeTexasAgriLifeExtensionService

Salute to Excellence; AFS graduate inducted into National 4-H Hall of Fame

whosupportedtheTexasTechjudgingprogramduringthe2010HolidaySeasonbypurchasingaRaiderRedMeatsHam,BrisketorPrimeRib.Morethan1250itemsweresold.AllproceedshelpsupportthejudgingteamswhorepresenttheDepartmentofAnimalandFoodSciencesatcompetitionsacrossthenation.Yoursupportisgreatlyappreciated!

“Thank You” To the many friends and alumni

Cagle SteaksSaturday, April 9, 2011 ~ 6:00 p.m.

Parents,friendsandalumniareinvitedtoattend.

Box42141Lubbock,TX79409

for the Department of Animal and Food Sciences Spring Banquet

Join us as we recognize our outstanding seniors and the accomplishments of the department’s students and organizations.

Non-ProfitOrg.USPostage

PAIDLubbock,TXPermit#719