Faculty and students in Texas Tech University's Department of Agricultural Education and Communications were recognized for outstanding research and service Feb. 5 at the Southern Association of Agricultural Scientists Conference in Dallas.In the agricultural education division, Kimberly Miller of Mission Viejo, Calif., a joint Ed.D. student at Texas Tech and Texas A&M, along with Theresa Murphrey, Grady Roberts and Julie Harlan of Texas A&M, received the first runner-up award for "Outstanding Research Presentation." Their paper was titled, "Examining iPod use by Texas Agricultural Science and Technology Teachers."

Outstanding Work. Members of the CASNR's Department of Agricultural Education and Communications were part of a team that received the "Outstanding Journal Award" from the Journal of Southern Agricultural Education Research. The article was titled, "Successful Characteristics of State 4-H Foundation Fundraising." The group included:" Brad Davis; University of Arkansas 4-H Foundation" Steve Fraze, Cindy Akers and Norm Hopper; Texas Tech" Karen Ballard; University of Arkansas" Andy Vestal and Barry Boyd; Texas A&M

Separately, Texas Tech's Todd Brashears was elected alternative vice president of the region. He currently serves as editor of the Journal of Southern Agricultural Education Research. Scott Burris of Texas Tech was elected vice chair of the Regional Research Committee.

The Tech delegation was involved in two additional paper presentations. They were co-authored by joint Texas Tech and Texas A&M doctoral program graduates Kim Alexander and Rick Ford. In addition, three posters were presented. They were prepared by joint doctoral program graduate Rene Miller, current master's student Steele Hogue, and former master's graduate Laura Lemons of Abilene.

Agricultural Communications. In other action, future Texas Tech assistant professor Courtney Meyers, along with University of Florida graduate student Katie Chodil, won the "Outstanding Graduate Research Paper Presentation Award." The paper was titled, "Feeding the Debate: A Framing Analysis of the News Media Coverage of Organic Food."

Meyers and Chodil, along with Tracy Irani of the University of Florida, were recognized with the "Outstanding Research Poster Award." Their poster was titled, "Cultivating Communication: Evaluation of an Extension-Produced Home Horticulture Radio Show."

Three additional research papers were presented by Texas Tech authors. Lead authors included former M.S. students Moriah Jennings of Lubbock, Kim Cooper of Washington, D.C., and Samantha Yates of Lubbock.

Written by Norman Martin