04/16/2011
COLLEGE STATION — Four students in the Department of Animal Science at Texas A&M University were honored with the Senior Merit Award at the 2011 College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Convocation held at the Briarcrest Country Club on April 16, 2011.
The Senior Merit Award is the highest award bestowed to undergraduate students by the College. The award was presented to Shay McDonald, from Davis, Calif.; Greta Monson from Houston; Laurie Jansky from Taylor; and Colton Atkins from Bryan.
To be eligible for this award, students must have completed over 95 hours and be projected to graduate during the 2011 calendar year. Students are selected based on academics; Texas A&M University leadership activities; community involvement, professional and civic activities; employment, internship and research; and a written essay.
McDonald, a dairy science major, has served as president of the TAMU Dairy Science Club, was a member of the TAMU Dairy Challenge Team, and also a member of the Phi Kappa Phi National Honors Society and Gamma Sigma Delta National Agricultural Honors Society. She has attended the Southern Great Plains Dairy Consortium Teaching program for the past two years. McDonald plans to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.
Monson, an animal science major, has been an active member of the COALS Student Council, a member and coach of the TAMU Wool Judging Team, and a member of the Saddle and Sirloin Club. In addition, she has been named to the Dean’s Honor Roll list for academics and completed an undergraduate research project. After graduation, Monson will work for a youth camp in East Texas where she will oversee the female staff, head the horse program and coordinate missions to Haiti.
Jansky has maintained a 4.0 GPA as an animal science major. She has served as a member of the COALS Student Council, an Aggie REPS, and also a member of the Undergraduate Studies Student Advisory Committee. She was a member of the 2010 Texas A&M Meat Judging Team, is a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society and also the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Jansky plans to pursue a doctorate of medicine degree specializing in orthopedic surgery.
Atkins is a double major in animal science and agriculture communications and journalism. He has served as vice president, reporter and ag council rep for the Saddle and Sirloin Club, the service officer for the Texas A&M Alpha Zeta Honor Society, as well as a member of the COALS Student Council. In addition, he has been named to the Dean’s Honor Roll list, selected as a national winner for the Who’s Who academic award, and has also completed an undergrad research project. Atkins plans to pursue a career in livestock marketing and promotion.
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