Wayne Hudnall, a widely-published author and nationally-recognized soil scientist in Texas Tech University's Department of Plant and Soil Science has died. He was 66. He passed away today (July 1) after a long illness.

"Wayne Hudnall will be remembered for his contributions to pedology and production soil survey, his dedication to the soil science profession, and his enthusiasm and camaraderie with fellow soil scientists across academic, public and private sectors," said Michael Galyean, Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. "His commitment to the discipline of soil science spanned 36 years."

Hudnall held the Texas Tech B.L. Allen Endowed Professorship of Pedology. His studies focused on soil formation and classification, along with his expanding research efforts from coastal plains and marshes to the arid and semi-arid environments of West Texas and New Mexico.

Recent research topics included morphology and classification of gypsum soils and use of gypsum to ameliorate soil sodicity in irrigated cotton production on the Texas Southern High Plains. In addition, his collaborations in Australia, Burundi, Congo, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Spain and Vietnam resulted in published research.

Prior to joining the Tech faculty in 2004, Hudnall worked as an assistant professor at West Texas A&M University, and later as a professor at Louisiana State University where he initiated an ongoing research interest in soils of the Lower Mississippi River Valley.

Awards for Hudnall include the Louisiana USDA-NRCS True Spirit of Cooperation Award (1995). Born 1945, Hudnall was raised near Lazbuddie. He earned a bachelor's and master's degrees from Texas Tech. His doctorate in soil mineralogy, soil chemistry, soil genesis and classification was from the University of Hawaii.

Written by Norman Martin

CONTACT: Michael Galyean, Dean, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2808 or michael.galyean@ttu.edu

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Editor's Note: Family and friends of Wayne Hudnall will gather on Friday (July 13) at 10 a.m. in the Ford Chapel of First Baptist Church Lubbock