COLLEGE STATION – Three graduate students in the Department of Animal Science are recipients of the Ronnie L. Edwards Graduate Teaching Award, in recognition of their important contributions as graduate students to the undergraduate student experience.
Left, Tara Edwards, Dr. Russell Cross, Cathy Edwards, Claire Edwards, Sigrid Edwards, Leslie Frenzel, Ashley Keith and Chase Runyan.
Ashley Keith, Leslie Frenzel and Chase Runyan were presented the award during the department’s Christmas luncheon held Dec. 6, 2012, at the AgriLife Center.
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.
Keith, from Taylor, is pursuing a master’s degree in physiology of reproduction under the direction of Dr. Carey Satterfield. She received a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Texas A&M University in December 2010.
Keith currently works as a research assistant for Satterfield and is a lecturer for ANSC 433. She served as a teaching assistant for ANSC 433 from the fall 2011 through the summer 2012 semesters.
“Ashley displays great leadership in assisting other teaching assistants in many aspects of their teaching, which ensures a consistent and quality education of our students across sections. Students cite her enthusiastic attitude, command of the subject matter and congenial personality as traits that contribute to her excellence as a teaching assistant,” commented one nominator.
Frenzel, from New Berlin, is seeking a doctoral degree in meat science and food safety working under the direction of Drs. Jeff Savell and Kerri Harris. She earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in animal science from Tarleton State University.
While at Texas A&M, Frenzel has been involved in Beef 101 and 705 programs, HACCP short courses and teaching ANSC 307 laboratories. She was the recipient of the 2011 Zerle L. Carpenter Outstanding Student Award in Meat Science and is the coach of the 2013 Meat Judging Team.
“Leslie is noted for her determination to be the best she can be,” noted on nominator. “Leslie’s teaching and encouragement have had a positive impact on the lives of her students.”
Runyan, from House, N.M., is pursuing a doctorate in animal science under the direction of Dr. Andy Herring. He received a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Oklahoma State University in 2007 and a master’s degree in animal science from Texas A&M in 2010.
As a graduate research and teaching assistant, Runyan has taught 11 semester of lab sections for ANSC 108 and since the fall of 2008, has taught lab sections for ANSC 406. He has presented numerous abstracts at both the Southern Section and national American Society of Animal Science meetings discussing his bovine diarrhea virus research. He also has represented the department at the TAMU animal science booth at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association trade show.
“Chase has a gift for teaching. He is genuine, well-organized, knowledgeable and cares that his students learn. He is a passionate, engaging teacher who expects his students to participate in active learning,” noted his nominators.
The Ronnie L. Edwards Graduate Teaching Award in Animal Science is presented yearly and winners are selected based on nominations and supporting letters from department faculty.
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For more information regarding news from the Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Texas A&M University, please contact Courtney Coufal at cacoufal@tamu.edu or (979) 845-1542.