CASNR faculty honored for excellence in teaching, research at Convocation
Four standout faculty members from Texas Tech's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources received awards for their quality teaching and research during the university's annual Faculty Honors Convocation on Thursday (Apr. 21) in the Red Raider Ballroom of Tech's Student Union Building.
Convocation is a way to recognize faculty members who have demonstrated distinction in teaching, research and service, said Michael Galyean, dean of Tech's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. Among the CASNR award winners this year are:
- President's Excellence in Teaching Award (CASNR). Cynthia McKenney is associate chair and Rockwell Endowed Professor of Horticulture with Tech's Department of Plant and Soil Science. McKenney is a nationally recognized professor of ornamental horticulture. In the past, she has held a number of academic leadership positions, including serving as an undergraduate program coordinator, and greenhouse administrator at Tech. In 2010, she was named a professor of horticulture and distance education leader at Tech. McKenney received her bachelor's degree in ornamental horticulture and her Texas provisional secondary teaching certificate in broad field science from Tech. Her master's degree in horticulture and doctorate in higher education administration are from Tech.
- Texas Tech Alumni Association New Faculty Award (CASNR). Joey Young is an assistant professor of Turfgrass in Tech's Department of Plant and Soil Science. An experienced golf course and sports turf management researcher, his research efforts have focused on water quantity and quality issues related to all turf management. Weed control is another challenge facing turf managers in this region, so determining management or chemical control options is a high priority. The Birmingham, Alabama, native received his bachelor's degree in agronomy with an emphasis in golf course and sports turf management and his master's degree in plant pathology from Mississippi State University. His doctorate in turfgrass science is from the University of Arkansas.
- Texas Tech Parents Association Barnie E. Rushing Jr. Faculty Outstanding Researcher Award (CASNR). Clint Boal is a unit scientist with the Texas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at Texas Tech. The unit is a partnership between Texas Tech, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, U.S. Geological Survey, The Wildlife Management Institute and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. His research interests focus on the ecology, behavior, and conservation of predatory birds, especially as top trophic level members of ecological communities; community level conservation of grassland wildlife species; management of game and nongame wildlife; and avian ecology in the West Indies. This research is conducted with the purpose of building upon the basic understanding of species and systems while meeting the more focused management information needs of natural resource managers.
- Chancellor's Council Distinguished Teaching Award (CASNR). Scott Burris is an associate professor and graduate studies coordinator with Tech's Department of Agricultural Education and Communication. Burris, a specialist in agricultural education, joined the Tech faculty in 2005 and currently serves as the department's Student Teacher Coordinator. He earned a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary agriculture from Texas Tech, and master's and doctorate degrees in agricultural education from the University of Missouri. He is known for his effective teaching at Tech and has received the Outstanding Faculty Member of the Semester Award from the college. In addition, Burris is active in service roles. He is associate chair for Tech's Institutional Review Board committee and is a member of the Texas FFA Board of directors.
Separately, during the ceremony Emeritus Faculty Certificates were presented to Max Miller with the Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Dick Auld with the Department of Plant and Soil Science, Tom Knight with the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, and Stephan Maas with the Department of Plant and Soil Science. Tech convocation officials also recognized the university's Paul Whitfield Horn Professors, which include CASNR Dean Galyean and Eric Hequet, an internationally-recognized leader in cotton fiber research and the current chairman of the university's Department of Plant and Soil Science. Horn professorships are the highest honor a faculty member can receive from the university. The award is named for Texas Tech's first president, Paul Whitfield Horn. Of the 86 members recognized as Horn Professors, 32 are still on the faculty.
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
0422NM16 / PHOTO: (top to bottom) Cynthia McKenney, Joey Young, Clint Boal and Scott Burris
Davis College NewsCenter
-
Address
P.O. Box 42123, Lubbock, Texas 79409-2123, Dean's Office Location:Goddard Building, Room 108 -
Phone
(806)742-2808 -
Email
kris.allen@ttu.edu