A strong commitment to teaching has garnered Peter Dotray, the Rockwell Chair of Weed Science within Texas Tech University's Department of Plant & Soil Science, a 2022 Chancellor’s Council Distinguished Teaching Award, one of the highest faculty honors in the university system. Dotray holds a joint appointment with Texas A&M Agrilife Research & Extension Service.

The awards ceremony, which included presentation of a $5,000 stipend and an engraved medallion, was held on Tuesday (Feb. 8) at the university's McKenzie-Merket Alumni Center.

Since joining Tech's faculty in 1993, Dotray has taught students principles of weed science, along with modes and mechanisms of herbicide action. The Minnesota native’s research interests broadly focus on developing effective and economical weed management systems in cotton and other crops grown in rotation with cotton. Separately, he serves as an Extension Weed Specialist in District 2, a 20-county area home to 3.5 million acres of cotton on the Texas Southern High Plains.  

“Development and use of herbicide-resistant varieties has improved weed management strategies in cotton, but effective and long term success in weed control systems must involve herbicides with different modes of action, as well as other weed management strategies such as mechanical, physical, cultural and biological control,” he said.

Dotray received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota and master’s degree from Washington State University. His doctorate in agronomy (herbicide physiology) is from the University of Minnesota. Recent awards for Dotray include CASNR Teaching Award (2020); Texas County Agricultural Agents Association Specialist of the Year (2019, 2011); CASNR Research Award (2015); Texas Tech Integrated Scholar (2015); Dow AgroSciences Award for Excellence in Research (2011) and Teaching (2013); and the CASNR Service & Outreach Award (2006).

In addition, Dotray is a member of Texas Tech’s “Teaching Academy,” an elite group of professionals striving to bring together the best teaching faculty across campus. Founded in 1997, the academy has almost 200 members from throughout the university that support, promote and recognize teaching excellence. He also has taught RaiderReady to first-year students since 1994.

Looking back, Davis College has an outstanding record of Chancellor's Council recognition, including current faculty members:

• Jerrad Legako, Associate Professor, Department of Animal & Food Sciences (2021-Research)
• Erica Irlbeck, Professor, Department of Agricultural Education & Communications (2020-Teaching)
• Chance Brooks, Professor, Department of Animal & Food Sciences (2019-Teaching)
• Courtney Meyers, Professor, Department of Agricultural Education & Communications (2018-Teaching)
• Michael Ballou, Chair, Department of Veterinary Sciences (2017-Research)
• Scott Burris, Professor & Chair, Department of Agricultural Education & Communications (2016-Teaching)
• Noureddine Abidi, Leidigh Professor, Department of Plant & Soil Science (2013-Research)
• Eric Hequet, Horn Professor, Department of Plant & Soil Science (2011-Research)
• Mark Miller, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Chair, Department of Animal & Food Sciences (2011-Teaching)

CONTACT: Glen Ritchie, Professor of Crop Physiology & Chair, Department of Plant & Soil Science, Texas Tech University at (806) 834-4325 or Glen.Ritchie@ttu.edu 

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