Animal science department mourns loss of equine professor
Writer: Blair Fannin, 979-845-2259, b-fannin@tamu.edu
Contact: Dr. Russell Cross, 979-845-1541, hrcross@tamu.edu
COLLEGE STATION – Dr. Josie Coverdale, associate professor in equine science in the department of animal science at Texas A&M University, passed away Feb. 13 from complications due to injuries sustained from a car accident.
Coverdale, 38, taught undergraduate and graduate courses in equine nutrition. She also directed research in equine nutrition with an interest in forage utilization and hindgut fermentation. She was sought internationally for her expertise in equine nutrition and taught classes around the globe, including South Africa, Costa Rica, Panama and Dubai.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Dr. Josie Coverdale, who was highly respected by both her students and faculty here at Texas A&M,” said Dr. Russell Cross, department head. “Josie was truly a valued member of our faculty here and made such a tremendous impact with regards to teaching and research.”
Coverdale received numerous awards during her career, including the Excellence in Teaching Award from Iowa State University, where she earned a master’s degree in equine nutrition and doctorate in calf nutrition. Most recently, she received the 2015-16 Distinguished Achievement Award for College-Level Teaching from the Association of Former Students at Texas A&M. She served as an assistant professor at the University of Georgia before joining the faculty at Texas A&M as an associate professor in 2006.
She was a member of the Equine Science Society, American Society of Animal Science, American Society of Dairy Science and North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture.
Coverdale is survived by her husband, Mark; parents, Judy and Larry Piltingsrud of Krum, Texas; aunts, Jan Prokop, her husband, Steve, Joyce Rice and her husband, Harve; in-laws, Jim and Barb Coverdale; brother-in-law, Matt, wife Angela and many cousins and friends.
A memorial service is scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Thomas G. Hildebrand, DVM ‘56 Equine Complex, 3240 F&B Road, in College Station.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Texas A&M Foundation, 401 George Bush Drive, College Station, Texas 77840. Checks are to be made payable to the Texas A&M Foundation. Please include gift is in memory of Dr. Josie Coverdale on the memo line. Online gifts may be made by visiting http://www.txamfoundation.com. Click the “give now” button in the top right-hand corner and select the “Make a gift to the general memorial” designation. Include Dr. Josie Coverdale’s name in the comment section.
