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. Misra received a Master of Science and a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from Mississippi State. More information is available on their website at http://www.agecon.msstate.edu/Alumni/featuredalumni.php.
Margarita Velandia-Parra was honored as the outstanding graduate student in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics by Gamma Sigma Delta. She was recognized at the Gamma Sigma Delta luncheon on April 26th.
The Agricultural Economics Association held its annual Steak Fry banquet on April 20th. Dr. Jeff Johnson received the Professor of the Year Award. Dr. Vernon Lansford was elected the new junior advisor and the Association officers were presented. The new president is Darcie Schmidt-Wertz. The Association also presented its annual scholarships.
The Distinguished Alumni awards luncheon was held January 31st at the Merket Alumni Center.
Judge Mackey Hancock was named as the DA for the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics in 1971 and in 1974 received his Juris Doctor in law from TTU.
He has served as Presiding Judge for the 99th District Court since 1994, County Court at Law #3 and as Vice-President and General Counsel for NTS Communications. His career has also been highlighted by his service to the U.S. Army Reserves since 1973. His last duty assignment in Afghanistan as Commander of the 321st Civil Affairs Brigade for Operation Enduring Freedom ended in February 2004. He retired as a Colonel in May 2004 after 31 years of commissioned service.
Dr. B.L. Allen was named DA for the Department for the Plant and Soil Science. He was in the U.S. Army from 1943 through 1946 and served in the Pacific Theater during World War II. After the war, Allen received his Bachelor of Science degree in Agronomy in 1948 from TTU. He went on to receive his Master of Science and Doctoral degrees from Michigan State University in 1951 and 1959, respectively.
Allen first joined the faculty of TTU in 1959 and was named as the Rockwell Professor of Soil Science in the Department of Plant and Soil Science in 1991. He coached TTU’s soils team for over 40 years and his teams placed first, second, or third 41 times in regional competitions. He retired in 2003 after 44 years of distinguished service.
Allen has received the Amoco Teaching Award, the TTU President’s Excellence in Teaching Award, and the TTU Academic Achievement Award along with many other awards throughout his career. He was also recognized with the very prestigious Soil Science Society of America Teaching Award. He has traveled professionally to Mexico, Peru, Argentina, Paraguay, China, Niger, and Cape Verde.
Gary Bellomy, graduated in 1974 in Park Administration, and is principal and founder of Land Design Studio in Austin, Texas. Bellomy has been with Land Design Studio for the past 12 years. He served as Senior Associate for EDAW in Atlanta, GA, before moving back to Texas and also as Senior Associate for SLA Studio in Houston.
Bellomy has been involved with many projects in the U.S., as well as abroad with transportation and land use issues. He was instrumental in the development and design of the Interstate 210 Corridor Study in Mobile, AL, the Waterloo Downtown Transportation Study in Waterloo, Iowa, and the Dallas North Tollway Study.
Bellomy has been recognized by the American Society of Landscape Architecture for numerous achievements including the Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Profession, Award for Outstanding Service as Chapter President and the merit Award for Agora Park. He has also been selected for the American Institute of Architects/RUDAT in Waterloo, Iowa and was First Gubernatorial Appointee to the Oklahoma State Board of Landscape Architects.
William H. Clay graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Management in 1974 with a minor in Range Management. Clay serves as Deputy Administrator of Wildlife Services within APHIS at the USDA.
As Deputy Administrator, Clay is responsible for providing guidance, leadership, direction, and policy for the National Wildlife Services operational and research programs. This includes oversight and guidance to approximately 1,200 employees and the efficient use of an annual operating budget of approximately $82 million.
Clay is a member of the Wildlife Society, The International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, The National Animal Damage Control Association, and the Wildlife Management Institute. Through the Wildlife Society, he is recognized as a Certified Wildlife Biologist. During his career, Clay has worked as an Animal Attendant for the San Antonio Zoological Society, an assistant driller for oil exploration organizations in Belem, Brazil and Tehran, Iran, an Urban Wildlife Damage Control Specialist for the Texas Animal Damage Control Service, a Soil Conservationist for the Natural Resource Conservation Service, and has held a variety of positions with Wildlife Services’ APHIS USDA beginning in September 1986 to his current position.
Jimmy D. Neill received his Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Production in 1961 from TTU. He went on to receive his Master of Science degree from the University of Missouri, Columbia in 1963 and his Doctorate in 1965. Neill completed his post-doctorate in 1965-1967 at the University of Pittsburgh.
Neill has received the title of Distinguished Professor at the University of Alabama, School of Medicine in Birmingham, AL. Previously he served as Professor and Chairman of the Department of Physiology and Biophysics ad the University of Alabama. He has also served as Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, William Patterson Timmie Professor of Physiology and Professor of the Department of Physiology in the School of Medicine of Emory University in Atlanta, GA.
Neill has also been involved in many organizations and committees throughout his career. He has been a member of the Publications Committee for the International Society of Neuroendocrinology, Chairperson of the International Union of Physiological Sciences Commission of Reproductive Physiology and a member of the Executive Council and Treasurer for the International Union of Physiological Sciences.
Terry A. Phillips received his Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Education in 1969. Phillips currently serves as the State Director of Agricultural Sciences and Technology with the Texas Education Agency. Previously he served as Manager of the Harris County Fair of Houston Farm and Ranch. He was also an Agriculture Science instructor for Seagraves ISD and the Vocational Agriculture teacher for Roswell ISD.
Phillips has been involved in many professional and civic organizations throughout the years. He has been a member of the Vocational Agriculture Teacher’s Association of Texas for 31 years and has served on the Board of Directors and as President. He has also served on the Board of Directors of the Professional Agricultural Workers of Texas. Phillips has served on the Advisory Committee for the Department of Animal and Food Sciences at Texas Tech and Texas A&M and has been a cooperating Ag Sciences Teacher for Student Teachers in the AEC Department at TTU. He is a member of the National Association of Agriculture Educators and a member of the National Association of Supervisors in Agricultural Education.
The Faculty Honors Convocation was held April 12, 2005 at 3:30 p.m. in Human Sciences; those CASNR faculty receiving awards included:
TTU and CASNR have gained national and global recognition for the multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional research team working on sustainable agricultural systems for the semi-arid climate of the Texas High Plains. The overall objective of this sustained effort has been to develop environmentally sustainable and economically feasible integrated production systems that will ensure the viability of agricultural activities in the Texas High Plains.
This research and education effort is committed to identifying and transferring those agricultural production practices and technologies that, when integrated across the agricultural landscapes, will reduce the depletion of ground water while maintaining or improving agricultural production and economic opportunities and to extend this knowledge to other agricultural regions and to the public.
After over a decade of research, with support from federal competitive grants and commodity groups, researchers are now engaged in transferring technology and research findings to producer fields to verify and demonstrate the viability of integrated production systems. This demonstration effort is currently being funded by the Texas Water Development Board and is expected to continue through 2013.
The integrated agricultural systems identified through these research and demonstration efforts are expected to conserve water and extend the useful life of the Ogallala Aquifer, reduce soil erosion, improve air and water quality, improve wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities, improve carbon sequestration and opportunities for trading carbon credits, improve soil fertility and soil microbial activity, and improve individual and community wellbeing. The future landscape and success of the $5 Billion Agricultural Industry of this region could very well be determined by the knowledge gained through these research and demonstration efforts.
The College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Alumni and Friends Association held their Austin and Fort Worth Regional Receptions in March. A brief update of the College was given by Dr. Marvin Cepica, Dean at the receptions.
The Austin Regional Reception was held in conjunction with the American Society of Landscape Architecture Thursday, March 31, 2005 from 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Special thanks to the American Society of Landscape Architects - Texas Chapter and Ag Workers Mutual Auto Insurance.
The Fort Worth Regional Reception was held in conjunction with the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Friday, March 18, 2005 at the Fort Worth Convention Center from 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. A special thanks to the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association and Ag Workers Mutual Auto Insurance. For more information on either of these two events please call 806-742-2802.
Men’s Team Results
Women’s Team
The final results are from the past 10 qualifying rodeos; the top two teams will advance to the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyoming, June 8-16. Ryan Gray is the Southwest Region Champion in Bareback Bronc Riding and J.J. Thompson is the Southwest Region Champion in Barrel Racing.
There are over 16 Colleges and Universities participating in the Southwest Region of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association.
