Texas Tech University

2014 Homecoming Award Recipients

2014 Hall of Fame Distinguished Service Award: Max Miller, Ph.D.

Dr. Max Miller graduated from Brownfield High School in 1955 and then went on to Texas Technological College to receive his B.S. in Dairy Industry in 1958. After three years at Texas Technological College, Miller decided to further his education at Michigan State University where he earned a M.S. in Dairy Science in 1960. Upon his completion at Michigan State University he returned to Texas Technological College where he started teaching in the Department of Dairy Industries. After teaching for 8 years, Dr. Miller decided to return to Michigan State University where he earned his doctoral degree in 1971 in food sciences.

Max Miller

Max returned to Texas Tech University where he became an Associate Professor in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences. Dr. Miller has been at Texas Tech University for five decades where he has taught numerous courses including Principles of Food Technology, Dairy Products Processing, and Fruit and Vegetable Processing. He is also a member of a number of professional organizations. Miller was inducted into Texas Tech's Teaching Academy in 1995. He has also been inducted into the Texas Food Processors' Association and Dairy Products Institute of Texas Hall of Fame. Dr. Max Miller married his high school sweetheart, Roma, of Brownfield Texas in 1956. Max and Roma had two children, Paul and Sam Miller. 

2014 Hall of Fame Graduate of Distinction Award: Sam Miller, Ph.D.

Dr. K. Sam Miller was born September 1, 1966, at the Methodist Mission Home in San Antonio, Texas, and was the eldest of two sons of Max and Roma Miller. Sam grew up in Brownfield, Texas, as the third generation on the family farm. He graduated from Brownfield High School as salutatorian and was very active during his high school years in FFA, Band, One-Act Play as well as serving as student body president. Upon graduation, Sam attended Texas Tech University receiving two B.S. degrees, one in Electrical Engineering and the other in Food Technology, and graduating magna cum laude. When he graduated he was recognized as the Outstanding Student in the College of Engineering and the Outstanding Student in Food Technology. He then attended the University of California at Davis receiving M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Food Engineering. Sam went to work for Frito Lay in Plano ultimately becoming a Principal Engineer and spending his eighteen-year career with Frito Lay in various aspects of research and product development.

Sam Miller

2014 Hall of Fame Advanced Graduate of Distinction Award: John Pipkin, Ph.D.

John Pipkin grew up in Bryan, Texas, where he discovered his passion for horses as an active 4-H member. Pipkin attributes a great deal of his success to the mentors he has been blessed to have had in his life, and many were linked to his time at Texas Tech. One of Pipkin's key mentors through his youth and after was the legendary Tech alumnus, B.F. Yeates, Texas State Extension Horse Specialist Emeritus. Beginning at the age of 9, Yeates introduced Pipkin to education and horse judging by involving him in 4-H and Extension programs.

John_Pipkin

After completing his B.S. in Animal Science and M.S. in Reproductive Physiology at Texas A&M University, Pipkin served as a Visiting Assistant Professor in Animal Science at Texas Tech from 1987-1992. While at Tech, he developed his passion for teaching and coaching. He taught all the equine courses, coached the Horse Judging team, supervised the Horse Center at New Deal, and advised the Masked Rider, Horsemen's Association, and Collegiate 4-H at the direction of his department head and mentor, Dr. Bob Long. He completed his Ph.D. studies at Tech under the guidance of his trusted mentor, Dr. James Clark. During his time at Tech, he became friends with colleagues, Drs. Sam Jackson and Mark Miller; and he collaborated with then Texas Tech faculty member, Dr. Gordon Davis, on numerous horse judging video productions that brought them high visibility in the judging coaching world.

After leaving Tech, Pipkin was hired as the Director of the Equine Program at West Texas A&M University where he has instructed or co-instructed over 25 various courses including Reproductive Physiology, Physiology, Endocrinology, and equine classes; and coaches the Horse Judging team. WT's judging teams have been repeated World and National champions. Under his direction, WT launched an Equestrian Team that has become a perennial power, and has more recently started a Stock Horse team.

In total, Pipkin's Judging teams have won 108 World or National Champion or Reserve Champion team and/or individual titles including 12 AQHA World, 11 All-American Quarter Horse Congress, and 19 NRHA Champion or Reserve Champion teams. Equestrian teams under his program direction have won 41 National Champion or Reserve Champion titles.

He has advised or co-advised 53 graduate students, authored or co-authored over 150 publications, and has given over 50 invited presentations. His development efforts for the WT Equine Program have helped establish 3 endowments and secured over $3.5 million in support.

Pipkin has served the Ag industry extensively while gaining valuable insight and network connections for students. Pipkin became an AQHA judge while at Tech, and holds judge's cards with 6 associations. He has judged over 400 total shows in 11 countries and 33 states including 14 World and International Championships, and has coordinated or officiated over 150 judging contests. He is a national Director for AQHA and works closely with several associations.

Dr. Pipkin has been awarded the Outstanding Young Professional Award by the Equine Science Society and the Texas 4-H Alumni Award. At WT, he received the Magister Optimus award, the university's highest faculty recognition. The Texas A&M University System awarded him the Teaching Excellence Award, and named him a Regents Professor in 2013.

He lives in Amarillo with his wife, Kenda, and sons, John Luke and Joshua.

2014 Hall of Fame Horizon Award: Dale and Wendy Woerner

Dale Woerner (Ph.D.) and Wendy (Palmore) Woerner (M.S.) are both alumni of Texas Tech each earning a B.S. and M.S. degree in Animal Science (Meat Science emphasis) in 2003 and 2005, respectively. While at Tech, Dale and Wendy judged on the 2000 Wool Judging Team, 2001 Reserve National Champion Meat Judging Team, and the 2002 Meat Animal Evaluation Team. They were afforded the opportunity to coach two meat judging teams, the Clarendon College, National Champion team in 2003 and the Texas Tech, Reserve National Champion Meat Judging team in 2004. The couple married in the summer of 2005, and moved to Greeley, Colorado, shortly after completing their M.S. degree. Dale, Wendy, and their young son, Drake, currently reside in Greeley, CO, where they are heavily involved in the meat and livestock industries.

Dale and Wendy Woerner

Dale grew up in the small town of Fredericksburg, Texas, where he was very involved in the local 4-H and FFA programs. Upon the completion of his M.S. degree, Dale entered a Ph.D. program at Colorado State University where he coached meat judging teams in 2007 and 2008. He currently serves as the faculty advisor for the meat judging team at Colorado State, and under his direction the teams have earned two National Championships, one Reserve National Championship, and International Championship recognition (Australia) in intercollegiate meat judging, as well as a National Championship and Reserve National Championship in Meat Science Academic Quiz Bowl Competitions. In his short tenure as a faculty member and assistant professor at Colorado State, Dr. Woerner has served as an advisor or co-advisor for 16 M.S. or Ph.D. level graduate students and has served on more than 30 graduate committees. In 2013, Dale was selected by Vance Publishing as a "40 Under 40" honoree as a young leader in the agricultural industry contributing to the 2050 challenge, the challenge of feeding 9 billion people by 2050. Also, Dale was named one of the Top Ten Industry Leaders for 2014 by Cattle Business as a "Difference Maker".

Wendy grew up in DeKalb, Texas, on her parents' diversified farming and ranching operation and was very involved as an FFA member. Wendy graduated with her undergraduate degree in 2003 with Magna Cum Laude honors, and was selected as the outstanding M.S. student in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences in 2004. Wendy coached the Wool Judging Team at Texas Tech in 2002 and the National Champion Meat Science Quiz Bowl Team in 2005. Immediately following the completion of her M.S. degree in 2005, Wendy was hired by Swift & Co. in Greeley, CO as a research and development technician. Wendy left her position at Swift & Co. to serve as the vice president of technical services for World Wide Premium Packers, the parent company for Pat Boone All-American Meats. Since 2011, Wendy has served as the business and finance manager for Producers Feedlot LLC. and Cervi Enterprises Inc. In addition to her professional career, Wendy has also served in a voluntary role as a 4-H meat judging team coach since 2002, and has coached four State Champion teams and two National Champion teams, including the first ever Colorado National Champion meat judging team in 2007.

2014 Outstanding Meat Science Alumni Award Winner: Larry Meadows

Larry R. Meadows was born in Wheeler, TX, and raised on an integrated livestock (cattle, hog, and sheep), poultry (layers), and small grain/legume operation in southern Hemphill County. He attended school in Briscoe prior to earning a degree in animal science from Texas Tech University in 1970. Larry was on the fall 1970 meat judging team and began his career with USDA as an Agricultural Commodity Meat Grader in Columbus, OH. He was a grader in Saint Louis, MO; San Francisco, CA; Denver, CO; Pampa, and Friona, TX.

Larry Meadows

In 1978 he moved into a supervisory position in Chicago, IL, prior to running the meat grading training program at Mississippi State University in Starkville. He served in management positions in Washington, DC, and Dallas, TX, prior to becoming Meat Grading and Certification Branch Chief in 1992, where he served for 21 years. Now with 43 years of service, Larry lives with his wife Pam in Golden, CO, and is the Special Assistant to the Deputy Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service, Livestock, Poultry, and Seed Program.

2014 Meathead of the Year Award: Travis O'Quinn, Ph.D.

Dr. Travis O'Quinn grew up in League City, Texas, where he was an active member in both 4-H and FFA and participated on many judging teams. Following his high school graduation, Travis attended Texas Tech University where he majored in animal science. Throughout his time at Tech, Travis was a member of the meat judging, meat animal evaluation, and meat science quiz bowl teams as well as being actively involved in the Meat Science Association. Upon graduation in 2008, Travis began working on a master's degree at Tech under Dr. Mark Miller. While obtaining his master's, Travis had the opportunity to coach multiple judging and academic teams. The teams Travis helped coach won six national championships including championships in meat judging, meat animal evaluation and meat science quiz bowl.

Travis O'Quinn

Following the completion of his master's degree in 2010, Travis attended Colorado State University to pursue a Ph.D. in meat science. Upon graduation with his doctorate in 2012, Travis rejoined the staff at Texas Tech to help lead an international research study involving more than 12,000 consumers evaluating beef palatability traits. Travis recently joined the faculty in the Department of Animal Sciences and Industry at Kansas State University as an Assistant Professor with a split research and extension appointment. Travis is an avid sports fan and enjoys spending time with his wife, Megan. Travis is the son of Darrell and Susan O'Quinn and has two siblings, Brandon and Shannon, both of whom are Red Raiders.

2014 Albert Usener Award: Darrell and Susan O'Quinn

Darrell is a graduate of Lamar University and works as a self-employed contractor. Susan has worked in the banking industry for 35 years and is currently Vice President of Hometown Bank. They live and have raised their three children in League City, Texas.

Darrell and Susan O'Quinn

The O'Quinns have served in various volunteer capacities in numerous organizations including Galveston County Wildcat 4-H, Clear Creek FFA Booster Club, Clear Creek Project Graduation, League City Youth Soccer, League City Little League, Galveston County Livestock Show & Rodeo, North Galveston Chamber of Commerce, Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council, Boy Scouts of America and various Boards & Committees for Edgar A. Smith YMCA. They have also graciously hosted Texas Tech's meat judging team numerous times during the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo meat judging contest.

All three of their children have attended Texas Tech University and have a passion for meat judging. Their oldest, Travis, is a 2008 graduate of Texas Tech, received his M.S, Degree from Tech in 2010, and his Ph.D. from Colorado State in 2012. He is currently an assistant professor at Kansas State. He is married to Megan, who is also received her B.S. and M.S. degrees from Texas Tech and is currently employed as a brand manager at CEV Multimedia. Their second son, Brandon, is a 2011 graduate of Texas Tech and a 2014 graduate of Tulane Law School. Their daughter, Shannon, is a freshman at Texas Tech and is planning on participating in the judging program. She is also a new member of the Texas Tech Chi Omega sorority. Darrell and Susan enjoy camping, traveling, livestock shows, and Red Raider and Houston Texan Football.

Animal & Food Sciences