Autumn Acree, a doctoral student from Texas Tech University's Department of Plant and Soil Science, will be presented with a 2020 Horn Professors Graduate Achievement Award during the university's Faculty Honors Convocation on Tuesday (April 21) in special ceremony at the Student Union Building.

The Horn Professors Graduate Achievement Award was established by the university's Paul Whitfield Horn Professors to recognize and reward outstanding research or creative activity performed by graduate students while at the university.

According to university officials, this year's four prize winners engaged in significant research in their respective disciplines, and are notable examples of the excellent scholars being cultivated at Tech. Acree was nominated in this year's competition by David Weindorf, Associate Vice President with the Texas Tech Office of Research and Innovation and the BL Allen Endowed Chair of Pedology in Tech's Department of Plant and Soil Science.

"Autumn Acree's skills reflect those of a talented, diverse academician with a global perspective, having personally worked on four continents as a doctoral student," Weindorf said. "You will not find a more deserving, hardworking, and honorable young professional."

Acree's research is centered on contemporary advancements in soil characterization: geochemical, morphological and spectroscopic approaches. Specifically, she is working to advance portable X-ray fluorescence and visible near infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy characterization of soils. Her doctoral project represents the synthesis of three individual research studies working in Lubbock, Alaska and Romania.

Acree received her bachelor's degree in environmental science and master's degree in soil microbiology from Louisiana State University. Following her graduation in May from Tech, she will take a position at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Engineer Research and Development Center in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Her focus will be on urban soil characterization and environmental quality assessment.

Being designated a Horn Professor is the highest honor received by a Texas Tech faculty member. The recognition is bestowed upon a faculty member who has attained national and/or international recognition in the areas of research or other creative, scholarly achievement. Established in 1966, the designation is named after Paul Horn, the first president of Texas Tech.

Horn Professor from Tech's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources include:

• Eric Hequet, 2016, Department of Plant and Soil Science
• Thomas Knight, 2012, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics
• Warren Ballard, 2008, Department of Natural Resources Management
• Michael Galyean, 2006, Department of Animal and Food Sciences
• Vivien Allen, 2005, Department of Plant and Soil Science
• Henry Nguyen, 1997, Department of Plant and Soil Science
• Rodney Preston, 1994, Department of Animal and Food sciences
• Eric Bolen, 1981, Department of Natural Resources Management
• Henry Wright, 1978, Department of Natural Resources Management
• Harold Dregne, 1972, Department of Plant and Soil Science
• Willard Williams, 1968, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics
• Elo Urbanovsky, 1967, Department of Landscape Architecture

CONTACT: David Weindorf, Associate Vice President with Texas Tech Office of Research & Innovation and BL Allen Endowed Chair of Pedology in the Department of Plant and Soil Science, Texas Tech University at (806) 742- 5287 or david.weindorf@ttu.edu

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