New Class; AFS 'Hall of Fame' inductees announced at United Spirit Arena fete
Several outstanding students, alumni and supporters from Texas Tech's Department of Animal and Food Sciences were spotlighted Friday (Oct. 7) during the group's Hall of Fame and Meat Science Recognition Banquet and the United Spirit Arena in Lubbock. Among the honors presented during the evening were the Meat Science Distinguished Alumna Award and Albert Usener Award, along with Hall of Fame distinguished service, graduate of distinction, and horizon awards.
Among those receiving awards were:
"Deidrea Mabry, Meat Science Distinguished Alumna Award. Program Director of the American Meat Science Association, Mabry earned her bachelor's
degree in agricultural communications and master's degree in animal and food sciences
from Texas Tech. She was a member of the 2003 National Champion Meat Judging Team,
and coached the 2005 and 2006 Texas Tech Meat Judging Team.
"Kevin Pond, Albert Usener Award. The former chair of the Department of Animal and Food Sciences oversaw significant
gains in student enrollment, faculty size, research funding and new facilities at
Texas Tech. Pond has demonstrated his ability to connect teaching, research and outreach
activities with critical constituents, including industry partners, which is vital
to any ongoing success. He is currently the head of the Department of Animal Sciences
at Colorado State.
"John Hutcheson, Meathead of the Year Award. As Director of Technical Services Beef Cattle Business for Merck Animal Health,
Hutcheson coordinates research and commercial activities with an emphasis on areas
of growth and development, carcass yield and meat quality in feedlot animals. Hutcheson
received his animal science from Texas A&M and a doctorate in animal nutrition from
Colorado State .
"Farris & Monica Hightower, Hall of Fame - Distinguished Service Award. Both are actively involved with the Animal Science Alumni Association, the Meat
Science Association and the Agricultural Education and Communications Alumni Association.
Farris, a 1981 agricultural education graduate, and Monica, a 1982 graduate in animal
science, are supportive of the organizations that they were members of and are among
the founders of the "Excellence in Meat Science Endowment."
"Bob Macy, Hall of Fame - Graduate of Distinction. The Coral Gables, Fla. native graduated with a bachelor's degree in animal science
from Texas Tech in 1960. He now manages the family ranch business in Post with a 350-head
cow-calf operation and 2,000 acres of farmland.
"Brett Barham, Hall of Fame - Advanced Degree Graduate of Distinction. The native of Carrizozo, N.M., worked as associate professor of animal science for
the University of Arkansas' Cooperative Extension Service. Barham received a bachelor's
degree in animal production, master's degree in animal breeding and genetics, and
his doctorate in animal science.
"Kristina Harris Butts, Hall of Fame "" Horizon Award. The Pearland native is Executive Director of Legislative Affairs for the National
Cattlemen's Beef Association. She was a member of the 2000 Meat Judging Team and earned
her bachelor's degree in agricultural communications with an animal science minor
and her master's degree in animal and food sciences from Texas Tech with an emphasis
on food safety.
Additionally, program officials recognized the competitive successes of the 2011 Meat Judging Team and commemorated the 30-year anniversary of the 1981 Meat Judging Team, the 20-year anniversary of the 1991 National Champion Meat Judging Team, and the 10-year anniversary of the 2001 Reserve National Champion Meat Judging Team.
One of the evening's highlights was the announcement of a new endowment established by Raider Red Meats to support judging teams, graduate students and research in the meat science program, as well as several new scholarships established by members of previous judging teams to support future meat judging team members.
Written by Kelsey Fletcher
CONTACT: Moriah Beyers, Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2805, ext. 248 or moriah.beyers@ttu.edu
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