COLLEGE STATION — Three graduate students in the Department of Animal Science are the recipients of the recently established Ronnie L. Edwards Graduate Teaching Award in Animal Science, in recognition of their important contributions as graduate students to the undergraduate student experience.Nicole Burdick, Ashley Haneklaus, and Laura May were each honored during a special ceremony held October 12 on the Texas A&M University campus.
The Ronnie L. Edwards Graduate Teaching Award was created in remembrance of Dr. Edwards, who served as associate head for the Department of Animal Science and spent more than two decades working with graduate students. One of his major activities was coordinating the teaching assistantships for the department, helping to ensure the best graduate teachers possible for the courses taught.
Burdick, from Corpus Christi, graduated in August 2010 with a doctoral degree in reproductive physiology, mentors were Dr. Jeff Carroll and Dr. Tom Welsh. Burdick is currently working on her postdoctoral with the USDA—Agricultural Research Service in Lubbock under the direction of Dr. Jeff Carroll. Burdick completed her undergraduate and master’s at TAMU-Kingsville. During Burdick’s time at College Station she taught ANSC 433 for six semesters to 130 students.
“Nicole has demonstrated an outstanding ability to impart knowledge to students,” according to her nomination packet.
Haneklaus, from Houston, is a meat science graduate student working under the co-direction of Dr. Kerri Harris and Dr. Jeff Savell. Haneklaus has taught ANSC 307 labs to over 1,000 students, as well as, other courses in the meat science department. She has coached the Meat Science Quiz Bowl team for the past two years.
Haneklaus, from Houston, is a meat science graduate student working under the co-direction of Dr. Kerri Harris and Dr. Jeff Savell. Haneklaus has taught ANSC 307 labs to over 1,000 students, as well as other courses in the meat science section. She has coached the Meat Science Quiz Bowl team for the past two years.
“Ashley is one of the best teaching assistants I have worked with and is determined to prepare our students to be the best they can be,” commented one nominator.
Laura May, from Hurricane Mills, Tenn., is a master’s student in meat science. May is the coach of the 2009-2010 Texas A&M University Meat Judging team and has taught ANSC 307 and ANSC 317. May was a member of the 2006 national championship meat judging team.
“Laura is one of our top teachers in and out of the classroom,” one nominator said.
The Ronnie L. Edwards Teaching Award in Animal Science will be presented yearly and winners are selected based on nominations and supporting letters from department faculty.