By Olivia Norton ‘16

COLLEGE STATION — Four students in the Department of Animal Science at Texas A&M University received the Senior Merit Award, the highest award bestowed to undergraduate students by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

The award, based on leadership, scholarship and service at the department, college and university levels, was presented at the 2015 College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Convocation held April 18 in College Station.

The award was presented to Katharine Beason, from San Antonio; Kayley Wall, from Boerne; Kaysi Dean, from Clyde; and Sydney Reese, from Pleasantgrove, Calif.

Dr. Bill Dugas, Associate Dean for Agriculture and Life Sciences, Katharine Beason, and Dr. Mark Hussey, Vice Chancellor and Dean for Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Beason’s academic career has focused on undergraduate research, internships and numerous student leadership roles. She has worked as an undergraduate research assistant in physiology of reproduction since 2011. Beason interned with the Clinical Research Division at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio and spent one semester as a congressional intern in Washington D.C. She is a member of Alpha Zeta Agricultural Honor Society and served as vice president of the Circle K International Texas A&M Chapter and was an active member of Agriculture Future of America including serving on the National Student Advisory Team. She gained international experience in Namibia, Africa, as a student ambassador for Study Abroad. Beason received the College of Agriculture and Life Science Distinguished Student Award in 2012 and 2013.

Dr. Bill Dugas, Kayley Wall and Dr. Mark Hussey

Wall served as president of the Saddle & Sirloin Club in 2014-2015 and has been an active member since her freshman year, earning the Outstanding Member Award her freshman, sophomore, junior and senior years. She was a member of the reserve national champion Academic Quadrathlon Team in 2014. Wall serves the department as a member of the Animal Science Aggie REPS; is an active member of Alpha Zeta Agricultural Honor Society, Farmers Fight and Phi Eta Sigma; and was a member of the 2011-2012 Wool Judging Team. She participated in the study abroad program in 2013 and explored agriculture in New Zealand. In addition, Wall has worked as a student worker in the undergraduate advising office since 2012. She also serves as coordinator and an instructor for the Texas A&M Aggieland Lamb and Goat Camps. She interned at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and the San Antonio Livestock Exposition where she coordinated the Sheep Skill-A-Thon. Since 2013, Wall has conducted undergraduate research in reproductive physiology and meat science. She was named Who’s Who Among Students and received the Department of Animal Science Brewer Award in 2015.

Dr. Bill Dugas, Kaysi Dean and Dr. Mark Hussey

Dean, an animal science major with a communication minor, is an active member and treasurer of the Saddle & Sirloin Club, an officer in the Alpha Zeta Agricultural Honor Society, is involved with the Aron and Mary Lois Savell Leadership Mentor Group, and has served as a member of the Animal Science Aggie REPS. She also guided campus tours as a member of the Aggie Experience Council for two years. Dean was a member of the COALS Council her freshman year and was a member of the reserve national champion Academic Quadrathlon Team in 2014. Along with maintaining a 4.0 in her animal science courses and participating in the animal science honors program, Dean is employed by the College of Agriculture and Life Science Dean’s Office and assists with coordinating college-wide events and supports day-to-day functions in the office. In addition, she interned at the Texas state capitol in Austin through the Agriculture and National Resources Internship Program. Dean also served as an instructor of the Aggieland Lamb and Goat Camps many years.

Dr. Bill Dugas, Sydney Reese and Dr. Mark Hussey

Reese serves as the vice president of the Saddle & Sirloin Club, chancellor of Alpha Zeta Honors Agriculture Fraternity, served as the 2013-2014 vice president of programs for COALS Council and is a member of the Aron and Mary Louis Savell Peer Leadership Group. In addition to her leadership roles, she worked part-time in the Department of Animal Science Graduate Office. Previously, she worked for the College of Agriculture and Life Science Dean’s Office. She is a member of Gamma Sigma Delta where she was awarded the Outstanding Senior Award for Animal Science, and has made the Dean’s Honor Roll every semester since Fall 2011. She recently completed her Honors Fellowship in Leadership. In addition to her academics, Reese interned at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and at Trans Ova Genetics in Sioux Center, Iowa, and she holds an American FFA Degree.

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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, contact Courtney Coufal at cacoufal@tamu.edu or (979) 845-1542.