A noted Texas Tech agroecosystem research scientist and a longtime administrator with Tech's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources have been granted emeritus status by the university's Board of Regents. Vivien Allen, the university's Thornton Distinguished Professor of Forages since 1995, retired in 2011, and Norman Hopper, Tech's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources former Executive Associate Dean for Academic and Student Programs, retired in 2012.

Allen's research work largely centered on forage and grazing animals. Prior to joining Tech, she served in several academic posts at Virginia Tech University for 15 years. She earned her bachelor's degree in general agriculture from the University of Tennessee. Her master's and doctorate with majors in agronomy and animal science are from Louisiana State University. Honors for Allen include a special "Award of Illumination" from the American Forage and Grassland Council and the Society for Range Management.

Meanwhile, Hopper joined Texas Tech's faculty in 1976. He served as a professor in the Department of Plant and Soil Science until 1998 when he joined the dean's office as Associate Dean for Student Affairs. The Petersburg native received his bachelor's and master's degrees in agronomy from Texas Tech before earning his doctorate in crop physiology from Iowa State University.

While a good administrator, Hopper has worked extensively in improving West Texas' most important cash crop "" cotton. His research focus has been on improving the quality of cotton seed, specifically improving vigor and cold tolerance. In addition, he was a crucial contributor to the naming of CASNR as a Peace Corps partner in its Master's International program. The program was the first in Texas to allow Red Raiders to earn graduate degrees in agriculture and natural resources while serving abroad as Peace Corps volunteers.

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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