Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences awardees honored

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

COLLEGE STATION — Almost 20 faculty, staff and students were recognized for their achievements in the Texas A&M University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences during a  ceremony Sept. 29 at the AgriLife Center in College Station.

“The faculty and staff honored this year are part of the reason that our students, our research and our service mission is strong and vibrant,” said Dr. Mark Hussey, vice chancellor and dean of agriculture and life sciences.

Hussey noted that the college continues to make “great strides in enhancing our reputation as one of the top colleges not just at Texas A&M but in the country.”

“Over the past year, our faculty won more than 128 national awards for research, teaching and service,” he said.  

Students also have contributed to numerous successes in the college over the past year, Hussey added.

“The number of undergraduate scholars who participated in research experiences this year rose by 17 percent. More than 30 students represented our college in Washington, D.C. through the internship program and even more of our students are studying abroad each year,” he said. “All of these are experiences that will prepare our students to lead change.”

Association of Former Students Distinguished Achievement Awards for Teaching at the College Level were presented to Dr. William Grant, professor of wildlife and fisheries sciences; Dr. Victoria Salin, associate professor of agricultural economics; and Dr. Heather Wilkinson, professor of plant pathology and microbiology.

Honored with Dean’s Outstanding Achievement Awards were: Dr. David Peterson, biochemistry and biophysics, for administration; Samuel E. Murdock, plant pathology and microbiology, for advising and student relations; Dr. Miguel A Mora, wildlife and fisheries sciences, for diversity; Dr. Kirk Winemiller, wildlife and fisheries sciences, for international impact; and, Dr. Lori Moore, agriculture leadership, education and communications, for service. Three staff awards for outstanding achievement were given to Robbie Lukeman, animal science; Paula Maldonado, nutrition and food science; and Kenneth B. Stroud, agriculture leadership, education and communications.

Receiving teaching awards were Dr. Adrienne L. Brundage, entomology, for early career teaching; Dr. Peter Murano, nutrition and food science, for teaching; and Dr. James C. Hu, biochemistry and biophysics, for educational enrichment and innovation.

Research awards were presented to Dr. Juliana Rangel-Posada, entomology, for early career research; and Dr. William Rooney, soil and crop sciences, for research.

Student awards went to Shelby K. Kilpatrick, entomology, for undergraduate research; Daniel B. Fitzgerald, wildlife and fisheries sciences, for graduate research; and L. Clay Eastwood, animal science, for graduate teaching.