A seminar featuring Zamorano University President Jeffrey Lansdale was one of the highlight events of a two-day scientific symposium aimed at innovations in agricultural science. The '5th Symposium of Zamoranos in USA' event was held Oct. 6 to 7 at several locations on the Texas Tech University campus and focused on professional development and networking for agricultural professionals. Symposium participants included graduate students and faculty members from eight universities, both domestic and foreign, as well as industry representatives. Zamo Raiders, the Zamorano Alumni Graduate Student Association at Texas Tech, organized the event.

David Weindorf, CASNR's Associate Dean for Research and Tech's B.L. Allen Endowed Chair of Pedology, served as the program's luncheon speaker on Friday (Oct. 6). The presentation was part of a tour of Texas Tech's Fiber and Biopolymer Research Institute. Located some six miles east of the main campus, the FBRI occupies 110,000 square-feet of space allowing Tech researchers to conduct testing and evaluation from the raw fiber stage through the finished textile product.

Later in the afternoon at Tech's Animal and Food Sciences Building participants received a welcome from Steve Fraze, interim dean of Tech's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, followed by seminar on "Zamorano University: 75 Years of Excellence and Leadership in the Americas" by Zamorano President Lansdale.

The symposium was of particular interest to alumni of Zamorano Pan-American Agricultural School, a private university located in Honduras, some 21 miles northwest of the nation's capital of Tegucigalpa. The academic facility primarily focuses on four areas of agricultural science.

Zamorano is one of the most prestigious and selective agricultural universities in Latin America, said Carlos Carpio, associate professor in Tech's Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics and Zamorano alumnus. Currently, there are 11 Zamorano alumni working or pursuing graduate studies at Texas Tech and several others working for various agribusiness companies in West Texas.

The symposium also featured a graduate student poster session; a photography competition titled: "Zamorano Through the Lens;" and an alumni banquet held at Ranching Heritage Center, a museum of ranching history located on the Texas Tech campus.

CONTACT: Carlos Carpio, associate professor, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Texas Tech University at (806) 834-8244 or carlos.carpio@ttu.edu

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