Purser establishes livestock judging team endowment to honor mentor
For Kenneth Purser, Ph.D. ’76, ’79, creating the Dr. T.D. Tanksley Jr. ’46 Livestock Judging Team Endowed Scholarship served as both a personal tribute and an investment in future Aggies.
“Dr. Tanksley was a major influence in my life,” Purser said. “The endowment is my way of trying to recognize that influence.”
Purser earned his master’s degree in animal nutrition in 1976 and his Ph.D. in animal science in 1979 from Texas A&M. During five years working under Tanksley, he developed not only technical expertise but also professional discipline.
“He expected you to work hard to get your projects done,” Purser said. “By the time I finished, I could write a scientific paper and you couldn’t tell whether he had written it or I had. He invested a lot of time in training me.”
Supporting future livestock judging students
Although Purser did not compete on the livestock judging team, he witnessed Dr. Tanksley’s deep commitment to the program. That passion inspired him to establish an endowment that provides scholarships for livestock judging team members.
Purser reached out to former students and colleagues to help build support for the fund. The response affirmed Dr. Tanksley’s impact across generations of students and faculty.
“It shows just how much of an impact he had on so many people,” Purser said.
Continuing a legacy of excellence
Purser credits Tanksley for helping shape his career, including graduate research that contributed to methods widely adopted in the livestock industry. Now retired, he sees the endowment as a way to continue that legacy of mentorship and hard work.
His advice to scholarship recipients reflects the same values Dr. Tanksley instilled in him.
“Be passionate. Identify your goal. Be persistent and work hard,” Purser said.
This endowment ensures that Dr. Tanksley’s influence will continue supporting Texas A&M livestock judging team for years to come.
How to Give
The Texas A&M Foundation manages gifts to the Department of Animal Science. Contributions of any size are welcome.
For more information, contact Jansen Merrill ’18 at 979-431-4148 or [email protected].
