CASNR distinguished alumni in Scottish Rite building spotlight
Texas Tech University's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources will recognize six distinguished alumni Monday (Feb. 15) at the Scottish Rite Building. The Distinguished Alumnus Award was established to recognize some of the most outstanding alumni of Texas Tech's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.
The event will honor alumni who have made significant contributions to society, and whose accomplishments and careers have brought distinction to the college and to the professors associated with agriculture and natural resources.
The recipients of this year's distinguished alumnus awards are:
"James Bergan: Bergan received a bachelor's degree from Purdue University, and a master's and doctorate
in wildlife science from Texas Tech. Now, he is state director of science and stewardship
for the Texas Nature Conservancy. Bergan is responsible for several programs including
the Texas natural history survey, geographic information systems, conservation planning
and stewardship, monitoring and research. The San Antonio resident has served as
an advisory board member for Tech's Department of Natural Resources Management, and
is nationally recognized for his conservation efforts in Mexico.
"Sidney Long: Long received a bachelor's degree in agricultural education from Texas Tech and
master's degree in animal science from Mississippi State University. He is a ranch
owner and operator in partnership with his sons in Coke County and Sterling County.
Prior to that he served as CEO/Executive Vice President of San Angelo's Concho Valley
Electric Cooperative, and executive director of Southern Blacklands Boll Weevil Eradication
Zone in Buckholts. The Robert Lee resident has served as executive director of Blacklands
Cotton and Grain Association, and is a member of the Texas Food and Fiber Commission
Executive Committee.
"Jim Schwertner: Schwertner received his bachelor's degree in agricultural economics from Texas Tech.
Currently, the Austin resident is president and CEO of Schwertner Farms, Inc., and
chairman of the board at Schwertner State Bank. He served as past chairman of the
boards of Cattlemen's State Bank in Austin, Jarrell Schwertner Water Supply Corporation,
and the Texas Cattle Feeders Association. He was appointed to the Texas A&M University
Board of Regents by Gov. Rick Perry in 2009, and presently serves as director of the
Texas Beef Council.
"Douglas Smellage: Smellage received a bachelor's degree from Southern Methodist University and a master's
degree in horticulture from Texas Tech. He founded 'Lawns of Dallas' in 1982 and has
had more than 28 years of experience providing service for commercial and residential
properties. The firm specializes in maintenance services and estate-quality design
for properties in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Smellage has served as vice president
of the Highland Park Independent School District Board of Trustees, in addition to
serving on the boards of the Dallas Country Club and Ronald McDonald House.
"David Waggoner: Waggoner received his bachelor's degree in animal science from Texas Tech, and a
master's in animal science from Virginia Tech University. His master of business administration
degree is from George Washington University, and his Juris Doctor degree is from Texas
Tech. He is the founder of The Waggoner Law Firm with offices located in Hillsboro
and Corsicana. His law practice consists primarily of banking, real estate and agricultural
law. From 1997 to 2000, he served as special assistant to the president of Texas
Tech.
"Dennis Wilkinson: Wilkinson received his bachelor's degree in park administration from Texas Tech.
Today, he is a principal and a landscape architect with Albuquerque's Morrow Reardon
Wilkinson Miller, Ltd., a 17-member firm. His focus is on site planning, campus planning,
landscape and irrigation design, athletic facilities, construction detailing and production
administration. Prior to joining the firm he was the owner and landscape architect
in a small firm. The Corrales, NM, resident is a registered landscape architect in
New Mexico.
Written by Norman Martin
CONTACT: Memory Bennett, coordinator of Alumni Relations, CASNR, Texas Tech University, (806) 742-2802 or memory.bennett@ttu.edu
0204NM10
Editor's Note: Pictured clockwise (from top, left) James Bergan, Sidney Long, Douglas Smellage, Dennis Wilkinson, David Waggoner and Jim Schwertner
Davis College NewsCenter
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Email
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