Director Emeritus of TIEHH Named Finalist for Environmental Excellence Award

A Texas Tech professor of environmental toxicology has been named a finalist in the Individual category for the 2013 Texas Environmental Excellence Award by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).

Ronald J. Kendall, director emeritus of The Institute of Environmental and Human Health (TIEHH) and also a special assistant to the president in the Office of the President, was recognized and received his award May 1 during the Texas Environmental Excellence Awards banquet in Austin.

"I am very honored to be selected as a finalist for a Texas Environmental Excellence Award by the TCEQ Environmental Excellence Awards Program and Gov. Perry," Kendall said. "I also appreciate the recognition this brings to our program at Texas Tech."

This award is considered among the highest environmental awards in the State of Texas. Recommended by a Blue Ribbon Committee of environmental experts from public and private industry, the awards honor individuals, businesses and organizations that have created successful programs that conserve natural resources, reduce waste and prevent pollution.

The committee, with representatives from industry, government, civic organizations, schools, and statewide environmental groups, recommended Kendall to Gov. Rick Perry and the TCEQ Commissioners.

Created by the Texas Legislature in 1993, the awards program reflects the goals of the TCEQ itself: to protect Texas human and natural resources and ensure clean air, clean water and the safe management of waste. Awards are given in nine categories, including agriculture, civic/community, education, individual, innovative operations/management, pollution prevention, technical/technology, water conservation and youth.