Texas Tech University’s Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources recognized seven distinguished alumni on Monday (Apr. 13) at the university’s McKenzie-Merket Alumni Center.
The 2026 Distinguished Alumni & Outstanding Young Alumni Awards honored graduates who’ve made significant contributions to society, and whose accomplishments and careers have brought distinction to the college and to the professions associated with agriculture, landscapes, and natural resources.
The recipients of this year’s Davis College Distinguished Alumni Awards were:
Eric Wanjura of Lubbock, Texas (Agricultural Economics |1995/1996) He received his bachelor’s and master’s of agriculture degrees in agricultural economics from Texas Tech. Wanjura is president and chief executive officer of Farmers Cooperative Compress in Lubbock, Texas, where he oversees operations and strategic direction for a leading cotton handling and logistics cooperative. He brings nearly 30 years of industry experience, beginning with Plains Cotton Cooperative Association and joining Farmers Cooperative Compress in 2005, whre he advanced from plant manager to vice president before being named CEO in 2020. He serves as a Director and Cotton Division Chairman for the Texas Agricultural Cooperative Council and will serve as its President for 2025–2026. He is also a Director and Warehouse Delegate for the Southwest Region of the National Cotton Council. His professional development includes participation in the Graduate Institute of Cooperative Leadership at the University of Missouri, the National Cotton Council Leadership Program, and the Texas Agricultural Lifetime Leadership Program.
Carmen Fenton of Amarillo, Texas (Agricultural Communications | 2004) She received her bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Communications from Texas Tech. Fenton Carmen Fenton is a communications leader with more than two decades of experience in public relations, public policy, and strategic messaging. She currently serves as Director of Marketing and Business Development for the National Ranching Heritage Center and the Ranching Heritage Association, leading efforts to grow visibility, engagement, and revenue. She previously served as Director of Public Relations at OBP Agency, where she managed major client portfolios and led high-impact media campaigns, and as Director of Communications for the Texas Cattle Feeders Association, where she directed communications strategy and served as primary spokesperson. Fenton has advised executives and policymakers, led national media efforts, and secured placements with top-tier outlets including The New York Times and CNN. She is widely recognized for her leadership and impact in agricultural communications.
Ben Holland of Canyon, Texas (Animal Science | 2004) He earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Texas Tech, where he also served as the 42nd Masked Rider, and a master’s degree in animal science and doctorate in Animal Nutrition at Oklahoma State University, as well as an MBA from West Texas A&M University. Holland serves as vice president of margin management at Cactus Feeders in Amarillo, Texas, where he provides strategic leadership in risk management, commodity procurement, nutrition and veterinary services, and the company’s research division, Cactus Research. He began his career as assistant professor and extension beef feedlot specialist at South Dakota State University, and later joined Merck Animal Health as technical services manager. Since joining Cactus Feeders in 2015, Holland has held leadership roles in research, operations analysis, commodity strategy, and business development. Through Cactus Research, he has led more than 75 large-scale feeding trials involving over 150,000 cattle, advancing knowledge in grain processing, animal health, feed additives, and carcass performance.
Kim Wolf of San Antonio, Texas (Park Administration | 1980) She received her bachelor’s degree in park administration with an emphasis in Landscape Architecture. Wolf became a registered landscape architect in Texas in 1982. She later achieved designation as a LEED Accredited Professional, reflecting her commitment to sustainable design practices. She began her career in San Antonio, eventually establishing her own landscape architecture practice and served as an instructor at both San Antonio College and the University of Texas at San Antonio. In 1990, Wolf joined RVK Architecture (formerly RVBK), where she would spend 33 years shaping communities across Texas. Rising to principal and vice president of landscape architecture, she led and contributed to numerous high-profile municipal projects for the City of San Antonio and Bexar County. Her portfolio includes the planning and design of parks, greenways, streetscapes, and public spaces such as O.P. Schnabel Park, San Pedro Springs Park Master Plan, multiple segments of the Salado Creek Greenway, and numerous neighborhood and community parks. She retired in 2023 and was named an emeritus landscape architect in 2025.
Rick Relyea of Columbia, Missouri (Range & Wildlife Science | 1992) He earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental and forest biology from the State University of New York and a master’s degree in wildlife management from Texas Tech. His doctorate in ecology, evolution and organismal biology is from the University of Michigan. He is currently the director of the J Johnny Morris Institute of Fisheries, Wetlands & Aquatic Systems and William J. Rucker Professorship in Fisheries & Wildlife for the School of Natural Resources at the University of Missouri. He served 15 years on the faculty at the University of Pittsburgh, directing the Pymatuning Lab of Ecology, before leading the Darrin Fresh Water Institute and The Jefferson Project at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. His research has secured more than $10 million in grants, and he has authored over 200 scientific publications, presented internationally, and influenced ecological education through 15 widely used textbooks reaching more than 2 million students. An AAAS Fellow and recipient of multiple teaching and research awards, including the Harold K. Hochschild Award for The Jefferson Project.
Kevin Meeks of Bronte, Texas (Animal Science/Crop Science | 2007/2011) He received his bachelor’s degree in animal science and master’s degree in crop science, both from Texas Tech. Meeks earned a doctorate in crop science from Oklahoma State University, where he focused on cover crop diversification and intensification. An agronomist and crop scientist with extensive experience in crop production, water management and agronomic research, Meeks began his career with Helena Agri-Enterprises, where he served in agronomy and product specialist roles, training teams, supporting growers across multiple states, and leading research and extension efforts. He now serves as Southern Business Unit Area Sales Manager for UpTerra, focusing on irrigation technologies and water stewardship to optimize crop yields and soil fertility. His work focuses on maximizing crop production while conserving water and improving soil fertility, and he has built strong partnerships with Natural Resources Conservation Service representatives, extension specialists, and agronomy professionals in over 10 states. Meeks holds Certified Crop Advisor and 4R Nutrient Management Specialist certifications.
In addition, Davis College officials recognized one outstanding young alumnus. The recipient of the 2026 Outstanding Young Alumni Award was Amy Petry of Columbia, Missouri (Animal Science | 2015/2017) She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Texas Tech. Her doctorate from Iowa State University focuses on the mechanisms of dietary fiber and carbohydrate metabolism in pigs. Today she serves as an assistant professor in the University of Missouri’s Division of Animal Sciences. Her research focuses on improving energy and nutrient utilization in pigs, with a particular emphasis on dietary fiber, carbohydrate metabolism, and bioenergetics. Petry has delivered over 40 invited presentations, authored more than 100 publications, and secured $3 million in research funding. She serves on the National Academies committee updating the Nutrient Requirements of Swine and has been recognized for high-impact research in the Journal of Animal Science. An award-winning educator and mentor, she teaches courses in nutrition and swine production and has guided numerous graduate and undergraduate students, advancing both science and the next generation of leaders in pork production.
CONTACT: Tracee Murph, Assistant Director of Alumni Relations, Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, Texas Tech University at (806) 834-7337 or tracee.murph@ttu.edu
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