COLLEGE STATION — Animal science graduate students Lindsey Mehall and Clay Eastwood are each recipients of the Z.L. Carpenter Outstanding Graduate Student Award, which was presented at the Department of Animal Science Christmas Luncheon and Awards Ceremony on Dec.  4, 2014.

This award is presented annually to a graduate student who demonstrates outstanding leadership skills and has contributed significantly to the Meat Science section’s teaching, research and extension activities.

Mehall, from McKinney, Texas, received the Carpenter Award for 2013 which was formally presented at the luncheon. She is currently seeking a doctorate in animal science and received a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from the University of Arkansas.

As a graduate student at Texas A&M, Mehall teaches ANSC 307 laboratories, assists with the ANSC 457 HACCP course, participates in Beef 101, Beef 706 and Pork 101 as a cutting instructor, assists with the Barbecue Summer Camp and Camp Brisket, and helps out with the Introductory HACCP Course and Beyond Basics: HACCP Improvement Workshop. She coached the Meat Science Quiz Bowl and has assisted her fellow grad students faithfully with their research projects. Her current research work investigates various parameters for controlling the major E. coli pathogens. Mehall also received the 2013 Ronnie L. Edwards Graduate Student Teaching, which is a testament to her outstanding teaching capabilities.

Eastwood, from New Braunfels, Texas, is the 2014 recipient of the Carpenter Award and is currently seeking a doctorate in animal science. Eastwood received a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in animal science from Texas A&M.

Eastwood teaches ANSC 307 laboratories, assists with ANSC 437, “Marketing and Grading of Livestock and Meat,” and has assisted with ANSC 117. And Texas Barbecue. She participates in Beef 101, Beef 706, and Pork 101 as a cutting instructor, assists with the Barbecue Summer Camp and Camp Brisket, and helps out with the Introductory HACCP Course and Beyond Basics: HACCP Improvement Workshop. Eastwood has conducted two major research projects during her master’s work and has presented her work at national and international meetings. She also has received the Gamma Sigma Delta Outstanding Graduate Student Award.

This award is named in honor of Dr. Zerle L. Carpenter, who began his career at Texas A&M University as an assistant professor of animal science in 1962. Dr. Carpenter rose to become full professor of animal science in 1971, head of the Department of Animal Science in 1978, and director of the Texas Agricultural Extension Service in 1982. In 1988, he was named associate vice chancellor for agriculture for The Texas A&M University System. Dr. Carpenter retired in 1997 after providing leadership to the Extension Service for 15 years.

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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.