Members of Texas Tech's Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources were honored for their achievements and contributions to the university as part of the university's annual Faculty Honors Convocation on Wednesday (Apr. 23) at the Student Union Building. The awards are given by the Office of the President and recognize outstanding faculty and departments for excellence in teaching, research, service and more.
High-quality faculty are the backbone of great academic institutions, said Davis College Dean Clint Krehbiel. Faculty Honors Convocation provides an opportunity to recognize and congratulate Davis College faculty members and departments who are true leaders on campus in helping the university achieve its strategic goals and grow its national and international reputation, he said.
Among those receiving awards were:
- Lindsay Kennedy – President’s Excellence in Academic Advising | Experienced Faculty Advisor. She is the Matador Institute of Leadership Engagement Program Director and Associate Professor of Practice within the Department of Agricultural Education & Communications. Kennedy teaches The Agriculturist magazine production course, photography and video production courses, and the three courses associated with the MILE Program’s leadership certificate. She also serves as the co-director of Bridge Adventure, a program that uses outdoor adventure, mentored research and service learning to develop leadership skills and community among students at Texas Tech. Her doctorate in agricultural communications and education is from Texas Tech.
- Anastasia Stellato – Texas Tech University Alumni Associations’ New Faculty Award. She is an Assistant Professor of Companion Animal Science within the Department of Animal & Food Sciences. An expert in companion animal behavior, she has a professional background in advising the public on responsible pet ownership, identifying companion animal behavior, and performing appropriate behavior modifications. Her research uses epidemiological methods to study companion animal welfare. Prior to joining Davis College in 2021, she was a dog behaviorist for Toronto Animal Services, and a Canine Adoption Counselor at the Toronto Humane Society. Her doctorate in epidemiology is from the Ontario Veterinary College Health Sciences Centre.
- Diann Merriman – President’s Excellence in Academic Advising | Experienced Advisor. She is the Lead Academic Advisor for the Department of Plant & Soil Science. She serves as a lifeline in helping students navigate the requirements and opportunities of higher. Her role as academic advisor extends to graduate and undergraduate students within Plant and Soil Science, overseeing course development, student schedules, scholarship coordination, occasional life-coaching, and more. Honors and recognition include receiving the Davis College Staff Award (2015) and the President’s Excellence in Academic Advising / Individual Advisor award (2017). She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Texas Tech.
Tech convocation officials recognized the university's current Paul Whitfield Horn Professors from Davis College, which include Mindy Brashears (2022) Professor of Food Safety & Public Health and former Under Secretary of Agriculture in Food Safety; and Michael Galyean (2006) Professor, Department of Veterinary Sciences, and former Texas Tech Provost. Horn professorships are the highest honor a faculty member can receive from the university. The award is named for Texas Tech's first president, Paul Whitfield Horn. In addition, the university leaders recognized emeritus Davis College faculty members Matt Baker, David Doerfert, Philip Gipson, Eric Hequet and Reynaldo Patino.
CONTACT: Clint Krehbiel, Dean, Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2808 or Clint.Krehbiel@ttu.edu
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Editor’s Note: Other Davis College faculty members recognized at the university's Faculty Honors Convocation have been featured in earlier news item, including:
- Davis College Faculty Honored with President’s Engaged Scholarship Awards |Conrad Lyford |Professor and Syed Badruddoza | Assistant Professor | Department of Agricultural & Applied Economics; Heidi Brady |Professor | Department of Animal & Food Sciences; Joey Young | Associate Professor | Department of Plant & Soil Science and Rudy Ritz | Associate Professor | Department of Agricultural Education and Communications
- LA’s Nelson Receives President’s Excellence in Teaching Award | Kathryn Nelson | Associate Professor of Practice | Department of Landscape Architecture
- AFS’s Dale Woerner Receives TTPA Barnie E. Rushing Jr. Research Award | Dale Woerner | Cargill Endowed Professor in Sustainable Meat Science |Department of Animal & Food Sciences
- Davis College Honored with 2025 Campus Internationalization Award