The Texas A&M University Department of Animal Science recognized the outstanding achievements of distinguished alumni and celebrated the department's scholarship recipients and award winners on September 13 at the Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center.

“It was an honor to celebrate the accomplishments of our outstanding students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters of the department,” said Clay Mathis, Ph.D., professor and head of the Department of Animal Science. “Through the generous support of many, we are able to foster academic excellence while growing the future leaders of animal agriculture. We are thankful for the support of our donors and for the opportunity to recognize individuals who are shining examples of excellence for our students.”

The Department of Animal Science Awards Banquet was held on Friday, September 13, 2024, in College Station, Texas. (Michael Miller/Texas A&M AgriLife)
Clay Mathis, Ph.D., professor and head of the Department of Animal Science, welcomed guests to the Animal Science Awards Banquet. (Michael Miller/Texas A&M AgriLife)
Lily Ford, a sophomore animal science student, provided the invocation. (Michael Miller/Texas A&M AgriLife)
Brittley Bowers, a senior animal science student, gave an address to donors and students. (Michael Miller/Texas A&M AgriLife)
The establishment of the Dr. Milton Glen Thomas Memorial Scholarship was announced at the awards banquet, which was held in memory of the late Milton Thomas. Mathis is pictured with Dora Thomas and her family. (Michael Miller/Texas A&M AgriLife)

Donor, scholarship and departmental recognitions

During the evening's scholarship presentation, donors were recognized and thanked for their generous contributions, which helped award a total of $248,500 in scholarships to animal science undergraduate and graduate students for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Following the scholarship presentation, the department recognized five graduate student award winners that included:

  • Viviana Garza: Dr. A.M. “Tony” Sorensen, Jr. Achievement Award.
  • Lauren Lee: Z.L. Carpenter Outstanding Graduate Student Award in Meat Science.
  • Pier Semanchik: Outstanding Master’s Student Award.
  • Brittany Silvers Paris: Outstanding Doctoral Student Award.
  • Nan Zhang: Ronnie L. Edwards Teaching Award.
Rodolfo Cardoso, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Animal Science, accepted Garza's award on her behalf. (Michael Miller/Texas A&M AgriLife)
Lee received the Z.L. Carpenter Outstanding Graduate Student Award in Meat Science. (Michael Miller/Texas A&M AgriLife)
Semanchik received the Outstanding Master's Student Award. (Michael Miller/Texas A&M AgriLife)
Paris received the Outstanding Doctoral Student Award. (Michael Miller/Texas A&M AgriLife)
Zhang received the Ronnie L. Edwards Teaching Award. (Michael Miller/Texas A&M AgriLife)

The department also recognized two staff members for their service and dedication to the department’s mission. These awards were presented to:  

  • Sarah Salas, business coordinator: Outstanding Staff Award-Administrative.
  • Ed Savage, swine center manager: Outstanding Staff Award-Technical.
Salas was the recipient of the Outstanding Staff Award-Administrative. (Michael Miller/Texas A&M AgriLife)
Savage was the recipient of the Outstanding Staff Award-Technical. (Michael Miller/Texas A&M AgriLife)

The Animal Science Graduate Student Association, ASGSA, annually recognizes a faculty member who supports the student organization through mentorship and involvement. This year, the organization presented the following award to:

  • Alice Brandao, Ph.D., instructional assistant professor: ASGSA Outstanding Faculty Member.
Brandao was presented the ASGSA Outstanding Faculty Award by the organization's president, Dallas Soffa, and Mathis. (Michael Miller/Texas A&M AgriLife)

In addition, faculty and staff who recently received prestigious university, state, national and international accolades during the past academic year were acknowledged. These recognitions bring distinction to the department and university and enhance the department’s ability to fulfill its mission in teaching, research, extension, and service.

Distinguished alumni awards

During this annual banquet, the department recognizes distinguished alumni and supporters through the Outstanding Early Career Alumni Award, the Outstanding Alumni Award and the Animal Science Hall of Fame Award.

Outstanding Early Career Alumni Award: Cody Marburger ’12

The Outstanding Early Career Alumni Award honors a graduate of the Texas A&M Department of Animal Science who is 12 years or less post-graduation and who has, early in their career, attained prominence and has brought honor to the Department of Animal Science and the field of animal science. This year’s Outstanding Early Career Alumni Award was presented to Cody Marburger ’12.

Marburger was named the 2024 Outstanding Early Career Alumni. (Michael Miller/Texas A&M AgriLife)
Marburger addresses the crowd after accepting the award. (Michael Miller/Texas A&M AgriLife)

Marburger is currently the CEO of Nolan Ryan Brands, a branded beef sales and marketing company founded in 2000 by the Hall of Fame Pitcher, Nolan Ryan, and a group of ranching partners.

Throughout Marburger’s time on the management team, the company has nearly tripled its size, aggressively grown foodservice distribution and solidified itself as a brand trusted for its consistency, quality and world-class customer service.

Marburger received a bachelor’s degree in animal science in 2012 from the department and went on to earn a master’s in business administration and a certificate of finance from Colorado State University. While completing his undergraduate studies, he was named to the All-American Junior College Livestock Judging team and went on to become a key contributor on the 2011 Reserve National Champion Livestock Judging Team.

Over the years, Marburger has served numerous non-profit and agriculture industry-related organizations. Nolan Ryan Brands continues to be a longstanding sponsor of the Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course, Texas Aggie Cattle Women’s Association, and supporter of the Texas A&M Livestock and Meat Judging Teams.

He and his wife, Bridget, live in Liberty Hill with their five-year-old son, Cru.

Outstanding Alumni Award: Burley Smith, Jr. ’70

The Outstanding Alumni Award recognizes a graduate of the Texas A&M Department of Animal Science who has built a distinguished career and made an impact that brings honor to the Department of Animal Science and the field of animal science. The 2024 Outstanding Alumni Award was presented to Burley Smith, Jr. ’70, partner and senior vice president of his company, Lone Star Beef Processors in San Angelo.

Smith received the 2024 Outstanding Alumni Award. (Michael Miller/Texas A&M AgriLife)
Smith speaks during the Animal Science Awards Banquet. (Michael Miller/Texas A&M AgriLife)

Smith attended Midwestern State University before transferring to Texas A&M University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science. During his time at Texas A&M, he was a member of the Saddle & Sirloin Club and competed on the meat judging team.

After graduating from Texas A&M, Smith attended graduate school at the University of Missouri-Columbia where he earned a master’s degree in food science in 1972. His professional career began in 1972 when he started working for Wilson Certified Foods in Kansas City. He also served in various roles with Iowa Pork Industries, Iowa Meat Industries, Weinstein International, and was a trader for Packy’s Meat Brokerage in Wichita, Kansas. From 1979 to 1997, Smith owned and operated his own brokerage company, Sunflower Meat Brokerage, in Andover, Kansas, and San Angelo.

He represented the Southwest Meat Association, SMA, as a packer member of the Texas Beef Council and served on the SMA board. Smith was Chairman of the Board from 2004-2005 and elected to the SMA Hall of Honor in 2018. He also previously served as the Texas Beef Council’s representative for the Meat Export Federation.

As an avid supporter of youth and education, Smith has graciously funded scholarships for Texas A&M meat science students through his family charity, SMIKIDS Ltd. Smith lives in San Angelo and enjoys spending time with his family.

Hall of Fame Award: Gordon W. Davis, Ph.D. ’74 & ’77

The Animal Science Hall of Fame Award celebrates outstanding individuals who, through their exceptional work and achievements, have advanced the field of animal science and made a profound difference to the productivity and sustainability of animal agriculture. The newest member of the Department of Animal Science Hall of Fame was presented to Gordon W. Davis, Ph.D. ’74 & ’77, founder and former chairman of CEV Multimedia and member of the Meat Industry Hall of Fame Class of 2022.

Davis was recognized as the newest member of the Texas A&M Animal Science Hall of Fame. (Michael Miller/Texas A&M AgriLife)
Davis speaking after the presentation of his honor at the Animal Science Awards Banquet. (Michael Miller/Texas A&M AgriLife)

Davis earned two bachelor’s degrees from Washington State University and a master’s degree and doctoral degree in meat science from Texas A&M. He was a meat scientist for 13 years at the University of Tennessee and Texas Tech University and coached 14 competitive meat judging teams from 1973 to 1989. His career was highlighted by the unprecedented achievement of coaching national championship teams at two different institutions.

In 1990, Davis left academia to focus full-time on his company, CEV Multimedia, trailblazing the idea of bringing the expert into American classrooms through video, multimedia textbooks, and, ultimately, online. In its 40-year history, iCEV served 100M+ students globally and across all 50 states through the Career and Technology Education curriculum, including 11M+ views of meat science and food safety media over the past 10 years. Davis sold iCEV in 2021.

Counted among Davis’s additional successes are 53 industry and education awards, including the US Chamber of Commerce Blue Ribbon Small Business of the Year and the R.C. Pollock Award from the American Meat Science Association.

He and his wife, Joyce, have founded/co-founded 15 endowments across five universities and other groups and established the Gordon and Joyce Davis Foundation in 2020. In recognition of their philanthropy to Texas Tech, the university named the Gordon W. Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources in January 2022. Davis and his wife reside in Lubbock and have three children and seven grandchildren.