More than 4,100 students Texas Tech students, including 210 from the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, received diplomas at the university's commencement ceremonies on May 20 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock.

During the event, outstanding students carried banners representing their respective colleges. Charles Walker, an agricultural and applied economics major from Stamford, represented CASNR. Administrators selected the banner bearers based on all-around achievement.

Separately, highest-ranking spring graduates from CASNR were recognized. They included Austin Adams, an animal science major from Hedley; Erin Beyer, a food science major from Pattison; Hannah Cleveland, an agricultural communications major from Lubbock; Jessica Humphrey, an animal science major from Clarendon; and Charles Walker, an agricultural and applied economics major from Stamford.

"Commencement marks the culmination of our students' dedication and commitment to their education at Texas Tech, and affords the opportunity to celebrate the next phase of their lives," said Lawrence Schovanec, Texas Tech president. "We're proud to play a role in fostering an environment that encourages the academic and personal development of our students. I look forward to their many contributions to our society."

Graduation recipients from the individual departments and majors included:
• Agribusiness - 6
• Agricultural & Applied Economics - 44
• Agricultural & Applied Economics/General Business - 1
• Agricultural Communications - 28
• Animal Science - 59
• Conservation Law Enforcement - 1
• Food Science - 3
• Interdisciplinary Agriculture - 28
• Landscape Architecture - 10
• Natural Resources Management - 14
• Plant and Soil Science - 16

Former Texas Tech President David Schmidly served as the spring commencement speaker for CASNR's Saturday afternoon ceremony. Schmidly attended Texas Tech from 1962 to 1968 and received his bachelor's and master's degrees in zoology. He then attended the University of Illinois and earned his doctorate in zoology.

After attending the University of Illinois, he began his career in academia at Texas A&M University in 1971 as head of the U.S. Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Services from 1986 to 1992. He then served as CEO and campus dean at Texas A&M University in Galveston until 1996. He served as the vice president for research at Texas Tech, dean of the graduate school and president from 1996 to 2003. Schmidly is recognized as a distinguished alumnus at both Texas Tech and the University of Illinois. In 2003, he served as the president and CEO of Oklahoma State University until 2007, then moved to the University of New Mexico to serve as its president until 2012.

CONTACT: Steven Fraze, Interim Dean, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2808 or steven.fraze@ttu.edu

0531NM17