The 2025 Animal Science Awards Banquet recognized students, faculty, staff and alumni at the Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center on April 25. The Department of Animal Science awarded $207,500 in scholarships to graduate and undergraduate students for the 2025-26 academic year. Distinguished awards were presented to alumni, faculty, staff and students. These achievements would not be possible without the donors. Thank you for your contributions toward the future of animal science.

Animal Science Hall of Fame Award

Clay Mathis, Ph.D., Department of Animal Science professor and department head, with Jim Williams on Friday, Apr 25, 2025, in College Station, Texas.
Clay Mathis, Ph.D., Department of Animal Science professor and department head, with Jim Williams on Friday, Apr 25, 2025, in College Station, Texas. (Michael Miller/Texas A&M AgriLife)

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 in the productivity and sustainability of animal agriculture. This year, the Hall of Fame Award was presented to Mr. Jim S. Williams ’76.

Jim Williams is a sixth-generation rancher and manager of V8 Ranch, one of the most successful Brahman cattle operations in the world. After earning his animal science degree from Texas A&M in 1976, he returned to the Texas Gulf Coast to lead his family’s cattle program. Under his guidance, V8 Ranch has earned 66 national or international grand championships — more than any other ranch in Brahman history.

In addition to Brahmans, Williams and his family ran V8 Shorthorns for more than two decades, winning major titles across the country, including four national champions and three junior national champions. They returned to the Shorthorn breed in 2024.

Highly respected for his fairness and deep livestock knowledge, Williams is a sought-after judge, having officiated at every major livestock show in North America. He has judged 33 different U.S. national breed shows and 44 state fairs. Williams has held leadership roles across the beef industry, including past president of the American Brahman Breeders Association and the only three-time president of the American Shorthorn Association. He has served on the executive board of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the U.S. Meat Export Federation and as chairman of the Texas Beef Council.

In 2024, his lifelong contributions were honored with induction into the Saddle and Sirloin Club Portrait Gallery — livestock’s highest accolade. Jim and his wife, Luann, live on their ranch in Boling, Texas. Jim is the head of a proud family of Aggies. Together, the family works at V8 Ranch, continuing a deep-rooted legacy in the cattle industry.

Outstanding Alumni Award

Clay Mathis, Ph.D., Department of Animal Science professor and department head, with Kim Wagner on Friday, Apr 25, 2025, in College Station, Texas.
Clay Mathis, Ph.D., Department of Animal Science professor and department head, with Kim Wagner on Friday, Apr 25, 2025, in College Station, Texas. (Michael Miller/Texas A&M AgriLife)

The Outstanding Alumni Award recognizes a graduate of the Texas A&M University 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. This year, the Outstanding Alumni Award was presented to Kim Wagner, Ph.D. ’87.

For more than 30 years, Kim has advised management teams and boards in the food, agribusiness and life sciences sectors as an equity partner at The Boston Consulting Group (BCG), McKinsey & Company, and now at TBGD Partners. She currently serves on the boards of Green Plains Inc., Frontier Co-op and TrueAlgae, and previously served on the board of SmithFoods Inc. She is also a past venture partner at Flagship Pioneering and was previously president and chief operating officer at CiBO Technologies Inc.

Kim volunteers with many organizations focused on agricultural, sustainability and educational missions. She is a Cornell University trustee and currently serves on the boards of the National Grape Research Alliance, NY Sea Grant, Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability, and New York Farm Bureau – Ulster County. She also serves as a mentor at the Harvard Innovation Labs and SVG Ventures’ THRIVE Academy and judges multiple start-up competitions, including Grow-NY.

Her past roles include serving as board chair of the New York Wine and Grape Foundation and board president for Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County. She and her husband produce award-winning wines and spirits as the founders and owners of Stoutridge Vineyard, a farm winery/distillery and vineyard established in 2000 in Marlboro, New York. Stoutridge is an Ulster County Certified Green Business and was recognized as a Green Business Innovator for its continued focus on sustainable practices across the entire company.

Kim holds a Ph.D. in biological chemistry and molecular pharmacology from Harvard University, an M.S. in animal science from Texas A&M University, and a B.S. with distinction in biology and animal science from Cornell University.

Outstanding Early Career Alumni Award

Clay Mathis, Ph.D., Department of Animal Science professor and department head, with Allison Burenheide on Friday, Apr 25, 2025, in College Station, Texas.
Clay Mathis, Ph.D., Department of Animal Science professor and department head, with Allison Burenheide on Friday, Apr 25, 2025, in College Station, Texas. (Michael Miller/Texas A&M AgriLife)

The Outstanding Early Career Alumni Award recognizes a graduate of the Texas A&M University Department of Animal Science who is 12 years or fewer post-graduation and who has, early in their career, attained prominence and brought honor to the Department of Animal Science and the field of animal agriculture. This year, the Outstanding Early Career Alumni Award was presented to Allison Burenheide ’16.

Allison Burenheide’s devotion to the agriculture industry began early in life. Growing up on cattle ranches in both rural Texas and western Colorado fostered an admiration for those working daily to drive agriculture forward. Through her personal life and career, she has worked to set herself among the ranks of those promoting and improving the industry. Allison graduated from Texas A&M University in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in animal science and agricultural communications and journalism, then went on to Oklahoma State University, earning a master’s degree in animal science.

While at Texas A&M, Allison was involved in many activities, including Saddle & Sirloin, the livestock judging team, Aggie REPS, and assisting multiple animal science courses and campus events. She took that same work ethic into industry, joining Merck Animal Health in 2017 as a food animal marketing intern, then later accepting a full-time role as the livestock marketing coordinator. She was promoted to senior swine marketing manager, where she won the esteemed Circle of Excellence award for her marketing work in 2020. Recently, Allison completed an international assignment leading the Ruminant Marketing Team for the United Kingdom, serving as the youngest marketing lead across the global business.

Allison now leads global marketing and business development for Merck Animal Health’s virtual fencing technology, Vence, focused on creating solutions for beef cattle producers across the world. Respect for the agriculture industry and the desire to keep pushing it forward have remained Allison’s guiding principles. She continues to promote agriculture and give back to those who helped develop her as a leader. Allison serves on multiple nonprofit and ag-based committees, including the Texas A&M University College of Agriculture Development Council, Merck Animal Health FFA Young Alumni Committee, and Tarrant County Boys and Girls Club.

Outstanding Staff Award

Clay Mathis, Ph.D., Department of Animal Science professor and department head, and Madison Trchalek on Friday, Apr 25, 2025, in College Station, Texas.
Clay Mathis, Ph.D., Department of Animal Science professor and department head, and Madison Trchalek on Friday, Apr 25, 2025, in College Station, Texas. (Michael Miller/Texas A&M AgriLife)

The Outstanding Staff Service Award recognizes a staff member of the Texas A&M University Department of Animal Science who embodies Texas A&M University's core values and goes above and beyond to enhance the mission of the Department of Animal Science. This year, the Outstanding Staff Service Award was presented to Madison Trchalek ’19.

Madison Trchalek earned her Bachelor of Science in interdisciplinary studies with an emphasis in special education from Texas A&M University in 2019. She joined Texas A&M’s Sponsored Research Services department in 2022 and has collaborated with the Department of Animal Science for more than three years. With the support of the animal science faculty and staff, she has helped submit more than 300 proposals to various sponsors.

Madi regularly visits faculty members in Kleberg and values the strong rapport she has built with the department. In November 2024, Madi received her Certified Research Administrator (CRA) certification, showcasing her expertise and dedication to research administration and Texas A&M’s Sponsored Research Services organization. Madi resides in College Station with her husband, Danny, and their two beagles, Tucker and Jedi. They are expecting their first child, a baby girl, in June. She extends her gratitude to her family, supervisors, and the entire Department of Animal Science for this prestigious recognition.

Animal Science Graduate Student Association

Outstanding Faculty Award - Dr. Lacey Luense

Graduate Student Awards

Z.L. Carpenter Outstanding Graduate Student Award in Meat Science - MacKenzie Chapman

Dr. A.M. "Tony" Sorensen, Jr. Achievement Award - Damon Smith

Ronnie L. Edwards Teaching Award - Megan E. Miller

Outstanding Masters Student Award - Adrianna DiSilvero

Outstanding Doctoral Student Award - Brette Poliakiwski