COLLEGE STATION — The Department of Animal Science was well-represented at the 2012 College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Convocation with faculty and students receiving several awards. The ceremony was held at the AgriLife Center on March 31, 2012.
Dr. Jim Sanders, professor in the Department of Animal Science, was presented the Honor Professor Award by the College Student Council. This award is given to a faculty member who has made outstanding contributions to undergraduate education. Sanders teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in animal breeding and conducts research in beef cattle genetics and breeding.
Dr. Glenn Holub, instructional assistant professor, received the Gail W. and David P. Marion ‘65 Teaching Award given in memory of Dr. Richard C. Potts ‘45. The recipient for this award is nominated by students to recognize professors who go above and beyond in the classroom. Holub teaches introductory animal science, career preparation in the field of animal science and upper level dairy management classes.
Five students in the Department of Animal Science were honored with the Senior Merit Award. The Senior Merit Award, based on leadership, scholarship and service at the department, college and university level, is the highest award given to undergraduate students by the College.
The award was presented to Kirbie Day, from Waxahachie; Henry Hilscher, from Shiner; Alyzabeth Looney, from Denton; Darby Sherrod, from Conroe; and Megan Webb, from Burlington, W.Va.
Day served as the 2011-2012 vice president of the Saddle & Sirloin Club and was a member of the Alpha Zeta Honor Society, Aggie REPS and the Aggie Diamond Darlings. She volunteered with Meals on Wheels and in the nursery at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bryan. She served as the National Polled Hereford Queen her freshman year. Day graduated in May and would like to conduct research to improve animal production, product quality and animal health within the beef industry.
Hilscher served as president of the Saddle & Sirloin Club this past year as well as the Aggie REPS, the Aggie Honor Council and the Alpha Zeta Honors Fraternity. He was a member of the Texas A&M Wool Judging Team and the Texas A&M Meat Judging Team. Hilscher worked as a student worker in the animal science animal breeding and genetics section. He interned with Cactus Feeders Wrangler Yard, Eslabon Ranch, Cattle Associates and Pinheiro Ranches in Brazil. Hilscher graduated in May and will study ruminant nutrition in graduate school.
Looney served as chancellor of the Alpha Zeta Honors Fraternity and was actively involved in the Saddle & Sirloin Club. She was a member of the Aggie REPS and the Pre-Vet Society. Looney was involved in the Red Angus Association of America and Texas Junior Red Angus Association. She worked as a student worker for Dr. David Forrest and interned a number of times at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. She received the Howard Hesby Spirit Award and is a member of the Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society. Looney graduated in May and will attend veterinary school with hopes to work with a mixed animal practice specializing in reproductive physiology.
Sherrod was a member of the Texas A&M NCAA Equestrian Team and was the president of the Student Athlete Advisory Council. She has served as the program chair for Aggies CAN and was appointed to the student board for the Kyle Field Renovation plans. Sherrod was a member of Fields of Faith and the Voices for Children Operation Rebuild Project. Last summer, she shadowed veterinarians at Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists and also interned at Just Cats Veterinary Services and Conroe Veterinary Clinic. She received the Texas A&M Equestrian Aggie Heart Award and is the editor of the SAAC Newsletter. After graduation in May, Sherrod hopes to attend veterinary school.
Webb is a member of the Texas A&M NCAA Equestrian Team, the Texas A&M Livestock Judging Team, the Animal Science Aggie REPS and was the 2011-2012 reporter for the Saddle & Sirloin Club. She is a member of the American Angus Association National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the West Virginia Cattlemen’s Beef Association. Webb was selected to participate in the 2012 International Livestock Congress in Denver and worked as an intern for the NCBA Government Affairs Public Policy office in Washington, D.C. last summer. She received the National Cattlemen’s Foundation Bright Futures Scholarship and was inducted into the Texas A&M Society of Leadership and Success. This summer, Webb will intern for Meat & Livestock Australia and Meat Standards Australia in Queensland. Upon graduation in December, Webb will pursue a master’s degree in meat science and hopes to work for the United States Meat Export Federation upon completion of her graduate degree.
Also recognized at Convocation, Alpha Zeta named Animal Science students Justin Casares as the Outstanding Freshman and Lauren Thompson as the Outstanding Sophomore. This is the highest award given to non-seniors.
Casares, a freshman from Mission, maintains a 4.0 grade point average. He is an active member of the MSC FISH Organization, Saddle & Sirloin Club, the Pre-Vet Society and MSC Open House. Last year, he was recognized for his scholastic and extracurricular achievements as the Pre-Vet Society’s Fall 2011 Distinguished Member Award winner. He also served as an intern at the 2012 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
Thompson, a sophomore from Grandview, holds a 3.67 grade point average. She is a member of the Aggie Scholars Promoting Incentive, Resources and Encouragement group, serves as the service chair of the Terry Foundation Student Organization, is an Aggie REPS and a member of the 2012 Meat Judging Team. She has been involved with the Texas Junior Shorthorn Association and the American Shorthorn Association since 2008 and has experience with undergraduate research.
In addition, animal science junior Catherine Moore was recognized as Outstanding Junior by the Gamma Sigma Delta honor society. Selection for this award is based on student academic achievement, and involvement and leadership in extracurricular activities.
-30-
For more information regarding news from the Department of Animal Science, please contact Courtney Coufal at cacoufal@tamu.edu or call (979) 845-1542.