Texas Tech’s Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources honored three distinguished figures in agriculture Thursday evening during its 98th Annual Pig Roast at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center.
The annual event, which also celebrates scholarship donors, recipients and intercollegiate judging teams, featured the presentation of the 2025 Gerald W. Thomas Outstanding Agriculturalist Awards - among the college’s highest honors.
This year’s recipients were Max Swinburn for agricultural production, Jimmy Dee Clark for public service and Kim McPherson for agribusiness.
Established in 1969, the awards recognize individuals whose careers have made significant contributions to the advancement of agriculture in Texas and beyond. The program is named for Gerald W. Thomas, who served as dean of Davis College from 1958 to 1970.
Max Swinburn | Agricultural Production. He earned a bachelor’s degree in agronomy (1967) and a master’s degree in soil science (1971), both from Texas Tech. While at the university, he was a member of the 1965 National Champion Crops Judging Team. Owner and operator of Max Swinburn Farms in Castro County, he has cultivated white and yellow corn, cotton, sorghum and wheat for more than three decades. His leadership in agriculture extends well beyond his Tulia-area farm. Swinburn is a former member of the Texas Corn Producers Board of Directors, where he represented the state as a delegate to the U.S. Grains Council. During his tenure, he served on the research, advertising, promotion and education committees, as well as the issues committee, where he worked to advance research initiatives, market development and policy advocacy for Texas grain producers. Additionally, Swinburn has been active in addressing regional water management challenges and promoting sustainable farming practices.
Jimmy Dee Clark | Public Service. Raised on his family’s South Plains farm primarily growing cotton, Clark’s expertise in farming spans decades where he tirelessly worked the fields alongside his father. In 1966, he married Rita Dunagan and settled into a life centered on family, service, hard work and a shared dedication to agriculture. His path grew beyond farming in the mid-1980s when he joined the campaign team of U.S. Rep. Larry Combest. The following year he went to work in Combest’s local office. After Congressman Combest retired, Clark continued to serve agriculture and rural communities through the office of U.S. Rep. Randy Neugebauer. In 2009, Clark took on a new role as Executive Director of the Southwest Council of Agribusiness, where he continues to advocate for the agricultural policies that benefit not only farmers and ranchers, but the entire industry. His efforts have helped shape policies and improve conditions for the agriculture community, ensuring that future generations inherit a thriving, sustainable way of life.
Kim McPherson | Agribusiness. He earned a bachelor’s degree in food science (1976) from Texas Tech. He then attended the University of California at Davis, focusing on the process of winemaking. Following his graduation in 1979, he worked in Napa Valley before returning to Lubbock, where he served as the winemaker for Llano Estacado from 1980 to 1985 and for Cap*Rock Winery from 1990 to 2007. During this time, he launched his private label, McPherson, in honor of his father, Clinton ‘Doc’ McPherson. In 2008, McPherson purchased a 1930s Coca-Cola facility in downtown Lubbock, transforming the industrial bottling building into a winery, tasting room and event center with a large outdoor patio for public events. His Texas wines have won more than 800 medals in state, national and international competitions, including two Double Gold Medals at the prestigious San Francisco Wine Fair. Today, McPherson continues to play an innovative and dynamic role in the development of the Texas wine industry.
CONTACT: Tracee Murph, Assistant Director of Alumni Relations and Manager of the Texas Tech Dairy Barn, Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2802 or tracee.murph@ttu.edu
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