College of Agriculture and Life Sciences names outstanding alumni for 2016

Writer: Kathleen Phillips, 979-845-2872, [email protected]

Contact: Angel Futrell, 979-458-9761, [email protected]

COLLEGE STATION — Three former students have been chosen Outstanding Alumni,  and three others are being honored with the Outstanding Early Career Alumni Award by the Texas A&M University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

The Outstanding Alumni honor went to Don Kaspar of Shiner, Dr. Fred Thornberry of College Station and Steven Lastovica of Salado. The Outstanding Alumni Award recognizes and honors graduates for their “outstanding leadership and significant contributions in agriculture, natural resources, life sciences or related areas,” according to the citation.

The Outstanding Early Career Alumni recipients are Dr. Bradley W. Hopkins of Zionsville, Indiana,  Justin Bierschwale of Junction and the late Dr. W. Brock Faulkner of Bryan. The award honors those who “graduated 15 years ago or less and have shown outstanding leadership and noteworthy contributions in career, public service and/or volunteer activities.”

The awardees will be honored at the Legacy and Leadership Banquet Nov. 18 at the Brazos County Expo Center in Bryan.

Kaspar earned a bachelor’s in agricultural administration in 1949 after serving in the Corps of Cadets and in numerous student leader positions. He started working in his grandfather’s factory, Kaspar Wire Works Inc., before college and was made CEO in 1951 after returning from U.S. Army service in the Korean War. The company grew from a small family company to a multinational business with $45 million annual sales.

“Although Don is a modest, quiet, non–flamboyant individual, his love of Texas A&M University is most evident in his words and deeds,” said Dr. Ed Rister, Texas A&M professor of agricultural economics, who nominated Kaspar. “His impacts are tremendous and long enduring.”

Thornberry earned a bachelor’s in agricultural education in 1959, and continued in school to earn his master’s in poultry science in 1963 and a doctorate in poultry physiology in 1968, all from Texas A&M.

For almost 50 years, Thornberry worked for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service as a county agent, regional specialist, state specialist and program leader in poultry science. He also was active in the Texas Poultry Federation and Texas Egg Council.

“Dr. Thornberry not only personifies a quality academician, but he has passed on many of the qualities that personify Aggies to countless young men and women during his tenure … quality individuals who have become teachers, leaders and captains of industry,” said Eddie Carter of Dayton, who nominated Thornberry.

Lastovica has been part of his family’s Angus cattle ranch in Bell County for more than 50 years. After graduating from Texas A&M in 1985, he became an agriculture agent for AgriLife Extension in Washington County. A year later, he opened Milano Livestock Exchange,  which has since sold more than 1.5 million head of cattle. Lastovica has served the beef industry in numerous capacities including as a director on the Beef Promotion and Research Council of Texas.

“He is a Bell County native who grew up in an era when successful business relationships were based on a man’s word and reputation,” said Dirk Aaron, Clearwater Underground Water Conservation District manager and nomination supporter. “He carries those same values of character with a moral compass that is on the ‘straight and narrow’ and you will find he always does the right thing.”

Bierschwale, owner of Bierschwale Land Company in Junction, earned his bachelor’s in agricultural economics in 2002 and a master’s in land economics and real estate in 2004. He was cited for his leadership and service in the real estate appraisal industry, involvement in the appraisal of wind energy generation value on rural properties throughout the U.S. and for authoring “Appraisal of Natural Resources” and coauthoring “Wind Powered Generators and Their Impact on Land Ownership” seminars for the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers.

“His professional credentials and accomplishments in real estate appraisal are most commendable, having great value to our national economy,” wrote nomination supporter Hunter Goodwin, president of Oldham-Goodwin Group. “Business owners, investors, local communities and many other segments of our society rely on accurate, fair, realistic appraised values. He exemplifies what we want all of our graduates to achieve.”

Faulkner obtained his bachelor’s in 2004, master’s in 2006 and doctorate in 2008, all in agricultural engineering. Faulkner became an assistant professor in the department in 2008 and was promoted to associate professor in 2015. He died of leukemia in February.

“Even as an undergraduate student, he showed the promise of an outstanding career,” said Dr. Steven Searcy, biological and agricultural engineering department head and nominator.

“Faulkner was nationally recognized for his expertise in air pollution engineering and for harvesting, storage and processing of agricultural commodities,” Searcy said, noting that the young scientist had garnered $1.75 million in grants for his research program, was highly ranked by his students for his teaching and was active in professional groups. “Dr. Faulkner accomplished in a few years more than many individuals would in a lifetime. He was an exceptional young man, and his contributions are missed.”

Hopkins is a global biology leader for Dow AgroSciences in Indianapolis, Indiana. He obtained his bachelor’s in 2004, master’s in 2005 and doctorate in 2010, all in entomology.

“His interest evolved from general and field entomology to molecular science with special emphasis in insect toxicology,” said Dr. David Ragsdale, entomology department head and nominator. “The faculty recognized Brad for his leadership, maturity, responsibility, intelligence and common sense.”

“Dr. Hopkins has quickly displayed a rare capability of technical depth and business acumen,” said Michael Donnelly, Dow AgroSciences global business leader. “This, coupled with strong interpersonal skills, has enabled him to deliver for Dow AgroSciences in a unique and powerful way.”