Department of Animal Science Distinguished Awards Program

Texas A&M University is built on six core values: excellence, integrity, leadership, loyalty, respect and selfless service. The Department of Animal Science is committed to developing these core values in current students who are training to become leaders in animal science and agriculture. In addition, the department commends and honors its former students and friends who have led successful careers according to these same values.

In 2012, the Department of Animal Science introduced the Distinguished Awards Program to celebrate outstanding alumni and non-alumni who have brought excellence, integrity, leadership, loyalty, respect and selfless service to the field of animal science. The Animal Science Hall of Fame and the Outstanding Alumni and Outstanding Early Career Alumni Awards recognize alumni and non-alumni for their outstanding leadership and significant contributions to the department and the field of animal science.

Animal Science Hall of Fame Award

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. Past inductees include:

2025 – Jim S. Williams 2024 – Gorden W. Davis, Ph.D. 2023 – A.M. “Tony” Sorensen, Jr., Ph.D. (posthumous)
2022 – Gary C. Smith, Ph.D.
2021 – John Beverly, Ph.D.
2020 – R.A. “Rob” Brown
2019 – Larry L. Boleman, Ph.D.
2015 – Gene T. King (posthumous)
2015 – O.D. Butler, Jr. (posthumous)
2014 – T.D. Tanksley Jr. (posthumous)
2014 – Anne Legendre Armstrong (posthumous)
2013 – Zerle L. Carpenter
2013 – Paul Engler
2013 – E.M. “Manny” Rosenthal (posthumous)

Outstanding Alumni Award

The Animal Science Outstanding Alumni Award recognizes a graduate of the Department of Animal Science at Texas A&M University who has built a distinguished career in animal science and who has brought honor to the Department of Animal Science and the field of animal science. Past winners include:

2025 – Kim Wagner, Ph.D. 2024 – Burley Smith Jr. 2023 – Craig Huffhines
2022 – Don Schiefelbein
2021 – James O. “Bo” Reagan, Ph.D.
2020 – Chad Martin, Ph.D.
2019 – Joel Cowley
2015 – John Bellinger
2014 – R. Hollis Klett
2013 – Frank C. Litterst
2013 – Gary C. Smith, Ph.D.

Outstanding Early Career Alumni Award

The Animal Science Outstanding Young Alumni Award recognizes a graduate of the Department of Animal Science at Texas A&M University within the past 12 years who has, early in their career, attained prominence in the field of animal science and has brought honor to the Department of Animal Science and the field of animal science. Past winners include:

2025 – Allison Burenheide 2024 – Cody Marburger 2023 – Whitney Crossland, Ph.D.
2022 – Pedro Fontes, Ph.D.
2021 – Myriah Johnson, Ph.D.
2020 – Anne Gilmore, Ph.D.
2019 – Nicole Burdick Sanchez
2015 – Mitch Bowling
2014 – Erin Morrow Hawley
2013 – Rachel Cutrer