More than 2,500 Texas Tech students, including 150 undergraduates from the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, received diplomas at the university's fall commencement ceremonies on Saturday (Dec. 14) at the United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock.

During the event Sam Jackson, a professor with Tech's Department of Animal and Food Sciences, served as the Texas Tech Presidential Mace bearer. The symbolic staff represents the power and authority of the university during the ceremony. Crowned by a flame symbolizing the light of knowledge, it's constructed of lathed and molded bronze covered with a layer of 24K gold.

Separately, outstanding students carried banners representing their respective colleges. Alyssa Soles, an agricultural communications major from Sweetwater, represented CASNR. Administrators selected the banner bearers based on all-around achievement.

Separately, Texas Tech officials recognized other CASNR highest-ranking spring graduates. They included:

• Hannah Decker, a plant and soil science major
• Sherri Halsted, an animal science major
• Emily Wade, an agricultural communications major
• Cole Perkins, a food science major

Graduation undergraduate recipients from individual departments and majors included:

• Agribusiness, 6
• Agricultural & Applied Economics, 32
• Agricultural Communications, 11
• Animal Science, 43
• Conservation Law Enforcement, 3
• Food Science, 5
• Agricultural Education, 6
• Natural Resources Management, 21
• Plant and Soil Science, 23

Tom Stone, head coach for Texas Tech's Soccer Team, served as the speaker for the CASNR's fall commencement ceremonies. Stone's first coaching job was as a part-time assistant at the University of Denver in 1996 and as a volunteer assistant at Duke in 1997. From 1997 to 2000, Stone coached girls' soccer for the Colorado Rush youth soccer club. Under his leadership, the team won 35 state cups, twelve regional championships and eight national championships.

He left the Rush to coach professionally in the Women's United Soccer Association, leading the Atlanta Beat to the league's inaugural championship game. He also provided soccer commentary for Fox Sports, ESPN and CBS College Sports Network. Stone returned to college coaching when he was hired as an assistant for the Clemson Tigers.

In 2007, Stone was named the fourth head coach in Texas Tech soccer history. In 2015, the Red Raiders won their first-ever Big 12 Championship, defeating Kansas. The year also saw Stone pick up his 100th win at the helm of the Red Raider program

CONTACT: William Brown, Dean, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2808 or william.f.brown@ttu.edu

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