Student Success Center: New name honors professor, innovator Bill Bennett
The Texas Tech College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources' Student Services Center has a new name: the Dr. Bill Bennett Student Success Center. The decision to honor long-time member of the Department of Plant and Soil Science's emeritus faculty was approved today (Feb. 25) by the Texas Tech University System Board of Regents.
"Dr. Bennett was the trailblazer in raising money for scholarships to increase recruitment of students," said Jane Piercy, director of CASNR's Development and External Relations. "The impact he's made on so many of our alumni in bringing them to Texas Tech is awe-inspiring and something all strive to achieve. He is my mentor and friend and I'm thrilled with this decision."
Bennett, who served as CASNR's interim dean during the late 1970s, spearheaded the creation of the college's Ambassadors for Agriculture and Agri-Techsans programs. The Ambassadors for Agriculture group is dedicated to spreading the story of American agriculture, natural resources and their opportunities for youth in these fields. Each ambassador has extensive experience in public speaking, primarily through 4-H, FFA and various other speaking competitions. The Agri-Techsans are the official student recruiters for the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.
Bennett joined the Texas Tech faculty in 1968, and taught a variety of courses in the plant and soil science department. In 1984, he became the college's director of development, raising the college's endowment to nearly $10 million, an amount that was the largest college endowment at the time of his retirement in 1997.
In 2007, CASNR officials selected Bennett as one of the three individuals honored as a Gerald W. Thomas Outstanding Agriculturalists. The annual award, established in 1969, honors individuals for their contributions to Texas agriculture in the areas of agribusiness, production and public service.
Formerly known as CASNR's Student Services Center, the Dr. Bill Bennett Student Success Center continues to have a basic mission of enrolling a diverse, high-quality student population. One of its basic functions is to assist students and alumni in identifying and realizing career goals. In addition, the office is frequently involved in on-campus programs from daily campus tours to admitted student visits days, as well as off-campus program from high school and junior college visits to state and national conventions.
Along with Cindy Akers, director of CASNR's Student Services Center, the center is staffed by Rachel Bobbitt, Coordinator of Student Programs; and Lori Dudley, Coordinator of Student Development. The office is supported by Jared Lay, assistant director for Tech's Career Center and the CASNR liaison.
Written by Norman Martin
CONTACT: Jane Piercy, Director of Development and External Relations, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2802 or jane.piercy@ttu.edu
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