Gamma Sigma Delta honor society features top CASNR students
Outstanding graduate students were in the spotlight April 21 when Texas Tech University's chapter of Gamma Sigma Delta, the honor society of agriculture, held its 37th Annual Awards Recognition and New Member Initiation Luncheon in the Mesa Room of the Student Union building.
"Our main purpose is to recognize academic excellence and service to agriculture," said Phillip Johnson, the organization's secretary/treasurer and a professor in Tech's Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics. "It's always exciting when department's nominate deserving students and recognize their accomplishments,"
The honor society's outstanding graduate students, nominated by faculty within their
respective departments, included:
"Katie Leigh: Agricultural Education and Communications
"Steven Oswalt: Plant and Soil Sciences
"Ryan Rathmann: Animal and Food Sciences
"Justin Weinheimer: Agriculture and Applied Economics.
In addition to his departmental nod, Weinheimer was named the society's outstanding
CASNR graduate student, Johnson said.
Separately, one new faculty member, Olga Murova from the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, along with 13 graduate students, and 17 undergraduates were welcomed into the organization. The following students were inducted into Gamma Sigma Delta:
Graduate Students: Katie Allen, Claudia Bravo, Kori Dunn, Heather Jones, Jessica Igo, Kelly Lange, Katie Leigh, Rachel Oates, Travis O'Quinn, Tobin Redwine, Rudy Ritz, Argenis Rodas, and Mark Russell.
Undergraduates: Sally Dierschke, Mackenzie Gregory, Josh Hasty, Kristen Hilger, Ashley Hirt, Carolyn Johns, Kara Kraich, Kimberly Nelson, Amber Oldham, Stephanie Parker, Brielle Parks, Heath Reeves, Linnsey Sheldon, Jayme Smith, Adam Stone, Dee Jay Wilde, and Chance Williams.
The society also bestowed its "2009 Outstanding Service to Agriculture Award" to Don Ethridge, the recently retired agricultural economist who served for a number of years as the chair of CASNR's Department of Agriculture and Applied Economics and one of the founding leaders of Texas Tech University's Cotton Economics Research Institute. "¨
Finally, Gamma Sigma Delta officials announced the organization's 2010 leadership slate. Craig Bednarz of the Department of Plant and Soil Science will serve as its president, Christine Alvarado of the Department of Animal and Food Sciences will assume vice president responsibilities and Phillip Johnson will continue as the society's secretary/treasurer.
Founded in 1917, Gamma Sigma Delta is an honorary organization dedicated to the advancement of agriculture, the maintenance and improvement of relations between the agricultural sciences and industry, and the recognition of agriculture's responsibility to society as a whole. Additionally, the society encourages and recognizes academic excellence and worthy achievement in all branches of agriculture and related sciences.
Written by Sean Cleveland
CONTACT: Phillip Johnson, Department of Agriculture and Applied Economics, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-0277 or phil.johnson@ttu.edu
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