AFS banquet honors academic, extracurricular performance
Outstanding student academic and extracurricular performance was recognized April 4 at Texas Tech University's Department of Animal and Food Sciences spring awards banquet.
"The AFS banquet honors the many accomplishments of our students, staff, faculty and our most recent inductee into the hall of fame," said Kevin Pond, chairman of the AFS department.
In addition to recognizing competitive teams including the Ranch Horse, Equestrian, Rodeo and Wool teams, one the evening's highlights was presentation of flags flown over the U.S. capitol for each member of the department's 2008 national championship teams. Among the teams and team members recognized were:
2008 National Champion Livestock Judging Team
"Marcus Arnold, an animal science major from Panhandle
"Bryan Bernhard, an animal science major from Seguin
"Jennifer Blackburn, an agricultural communications major from Grady, N.M.
"Josh Campbell, an agricultural leadership major from Las Cruces, N.M.
"Judd Gardner, an animal science major from Estancia, N.M.
"Zach Gilbert, an agricultural economics major from Sweetwater
"Colton Long, an agricultural economics major from Sterling City
"Aaron Renfroe, an agricultural education major from Ozona
"T. Chance Van Dyke, an agricultural communications major from Hobbs, N.M.
"Micah Walker, an agricultural education major from Sulphur Springs
"Chance Williams, an animal science major from Quemado, N.M.
"Coaches: Ryan Rathmann and Jon DeClerck (graduate assistant)
2008 National Champion Meat Judging Team, which went undefeated at its three national
competitions this year and boasted the highest scoring individual at each of its contests
"Tyler Cowie, a junior animal science major from Magnolia
"Paden Daniels, a senior animal science major from Athol, Kan.
"Shayna Dunlap, a junior animal science major from Estancia, NM
"Ben Estes, a senior animal science major from Hollis, Okla.
"Matthew Morales, a senior animal science major from Santana, Kan.
"Heather Veltri , a senior animal science major from Ft. Collins, Colo.
"Shanna Ward, a junior animal science major from Coffeyville, Kan.
"Coaches: Jesse Collins and Justin Derington (graduate assistants).
2009 National Champion Meat Animal Evaluation Team
"Ben Cammack, a junior animal science major from Seguin
"Tyler Cowie, a junior animal science major from Magnolia
"Micah Dorsey, a junior animal science major from Strasburg, Colo.
"Shayna Dunlap, a junior animal science major from Estancia, N.M.
"Josh Flohr, a junior animal science major from Emmitsburg, Md.
"Paige Futrell, a junior animal science major from Midland
"Cade Halfmann, a junior animal science major from Garden City
"Josh Hasty, a junior animal science major from Cleburne
"C.A. Jones, a junior animal science major from Sunray
"Matthew Morales, a senior animal science major from Satanta, Kan.
"Drew Perez, a junior animal science major from Nara Visa, N.M.
"Henry Ruiz, a junior animal science major from Eagle Pass
"Trae Simmons, a junior animal science major from Tipton, Ind.
"Olivia Tilly, a junior animal science major from Hawley
"Austin Voyles, a senior animal science major from Hale Center
"Shanna Ward, a junior animal science major from Coffeyville, Kan.
"Coaches, Ryan Rathmann, Judd Gardner and Travis O'Quinn (graduate assistants).
Individual Excellence. The evening also recognized outstanding individual performances. Among those honored
were:
"Outstanding AFS PhD student: Thu Dinh
"Outstanding AFS M.S. student: Evan Chaney
"Bob Albin Graduate Research Awards: Julie Weathers (1st), Kristin Hales (2nd), Sarah
Gragg (3rd)
"San Antonio Livestock Exposition Graduate Student Awards: Jenna Pool and Travis O'Quinn
"Outstanding Meat Science Graduate Student: Justin Tedford
"Doug Hardison Memorial Outstanding Judge Award: Paden Daniels
"Most Outstanding Department Senior: Bryan Bernhard
"Outstanding Food Science Senior: Brittany Neisan
"Outstanding Animal Science Senior: Bryan Bernhard
Outstanding senior academic achievement awards were presented to Bryan Bernhard, Allison Chastain, Casey Cole, Paden Daniels, Benjamin Estes, Allison Eudy, Judd Gardner, Kara Kraich, Allison Rogers, Randi Shannahan, Sable Murry, and Chance Williams.
Senior leadership awards went to Mark Arnold, Bryan Bernhard, Allison Chastain, Judd Gardner, Ashley Hartzog, Kara Kraich, Cody Maxwell, Allison Rogers and Randi Shannahan. The Markus F. Miller Spirit and Motivation Award went to Shanna Ward , while the 1996 Team Scholarship Award was presented to Ben Estes.
Block and Bridle Club awards included outstanding freshman, Loni Woolley; outstanding sophomore, Lexi Galloway; outstanding junior, Shanna Ward; outstanding senior, Jennifer Blackburn; workhorse award, Lexi Galloway; and intramural MVP, Philip Kalich.
Block and Bridle officer recognition went to Marcus Arnold, president; Bryan Bernhard, vice president; Kendra Pond, treasurer; Lexi Galloway, secretary; Jennifer Blackburn, historian; and Brittni Drennan, SOAC representative. Ag Council Representatives were Colton Long, Meagan Igo, Emilio Sanchez, and Shanna Ward.
Alumni Recognition. AFS officials honored Dick Wallrath with the department's Hall of Fame Award for Distinguished Service. Wallrath, owner and operator of Champion Ranch near Centerville, is a longtime supporter of youth agricultural education, as well as the AFS department and Texas Tech. The noted philanthropist supports scholarship efforts across the state, including the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, "Go Texan," FFA, and 4-H programs. He began his own educational foundation in 2006 which since its inception has funded 142 scholarships worth more than $1 million annually.
Written by Sean Cleveland
CONTACT: Kayla Rathmann, Coordinator of Student and Alumni Programs, Department of
Animal and Food Sciences, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2805, ext. 254, or kayla.rathmann@ttu.edu
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