Monday, October 30, 2023

Hello CAFNR Team,

Welcome to cold weather on "The Hill"! It's Homecoming week and an exciting time for everyone. There are lots of events going on campus-wide and within the College. I look forward to the Ag Breakfast, floats in the parade and seeing our alumni and students come together to enjoy all the festivities. Today, Dwight Rhodes and the farm crew were unloading bales of hay to create parking barricades for tailgating behind Panther Stadium. What a CAFNR way to support the university's efforts!

Gerard

Photos courtesy of TeKedra Pierre, IISC

Last Thursday, a special event took place at the Agriculture and Business Multipurpose Building outside of the auditorium. The families and friends of Ernest Boyd and Floretta Brown Collins gathered together to unveil their portrait, which was gifted by their son Todd Collins. The occasion was a touching tribute to two individuals who continue to make a significant impact within the College and the university. The museum quality portrait will serve as a lasting reminder of their contributions and and beloved Red Hill Ranch. When you get a chance, stop by and see this beautiful work of art. 

Photos courtesy of Ebony Ohen, IISC

We are thrilled to announce that Cynthia Pierfax will soon earn her Ph.D. in Agricultural Education from Texas A&M University! Come December, she will have completed an impressive academic journey and achieved the highest degree awarded by universities. Let's congratulate Cynthia on her incredible achievement!

Thank you to everyone who attended and supported the Land Grant Seminar Series 10-Year Anniversary Event. With your help, we had an incredible turnout and a successful celebration. I'd also like to give a special thanks to Ali Fares, Ph.D., Ripendra Awal, Ph.D., TeKedra Pierre and her Information, Impact, and Sustainability Center (IISC) team, Ashwani Srivastava and the Agro-Innovation Technology Center (AITC) team, Laura Carson, Ph.D., Sarah Wiemken, Caralita Solomon, and all the other staff who contributed to the success of this great milestone in the life of the College. This event marked a significant achievement for the Land Grant Seminar Series, and we look forward to the next ten years and beyond as we pass the baton to the next generation of leaders. 

Photos courtesy of Trevior Mays, IISC, and Horace Hodge

The oldest building on campus has the newest sign! The historic Alfred N. Poindexter Veterinary Hospital recently updated its sign to reflect our new CAFNR name. Just in time for Homecoming!

I had the pleasure of running into former Ag Dean Freddie Richards, Ph.D., last week, and it was a wonderful opportunity to catch up with him. It was a delightful conversation, and I am grateful for the chance to reconnect with such an esteemed colleague. 

Photo Courtesy of Milton Daley, Ph.D.

We continue a winning team tradition at the 2023 State fair of Texas in Dallas, TX with coaches/advisors James Smith and Scott Horner! Ag Alumni President E.W. Wesley was present to lend his support to the students. The Reserve Grand Champion Banner was awarded to our Livestock Club Goat Show team. Congratulations!

Our community outreach program PVAMU Wellness in Houston led by Interim Program Manager Quincy Hale and team, brought almost 100 high school students to visit our campus! I was able to grab a quick picture with students and staff from one of the schools present, Crosby High School (all the way from Liberty County!). The students enjoyed workshops before a campus and farm tour as part of the PVAMU WIH Junior Achievement (JA) college program. Great to see future Panthers!

We have an outstanding group of 1890 Scholars! Listed below are the scholars and agency they completed an internship with this past summer. Always good to hear about their experiences and how this will shape their future education and career goals.

Back Row L-R Nina Edwards-FS, Tarik Demby-FSA, Christopher Johnson-NIFA , Anaya Byers-FSA, Olvice Greenwood-ARS, Robert Thomas-NRCS, Fred Henderson, III-NRCS, Gillian Cunningham-NRCS, Logan Fields-NRCS, Khyri Raymond-NIFA, Dr. Kwaku Addo, Associate Dean and Department Head, CAFNR.

Front Row Lisa Batone-FS, Ryian Allen-NRCS, Madison Caldwell-NRCS, Destiny Williams-FSA, Kira McLeod-FNS, Christian Peer-NRCS, Alana Deamon-NRCS, Halee Broadnax-FSA, Trinity Bluford-NRCS, Olivia Greenwood-APHIS, Arielle Marshall-NIFA, Allison Roberson-NRCS, Caleb Allen-ERS, Laila Diaz-ASCR, Audria Ford, Professor, College of Business, Horace D. Hodge, USDA/1890 Liaison, OPPE Dr. Alfred L. Parks Regents Professor, Agricultural Economics, CAFNR, Not Pictured: Cecil Mosley-NRCS.

Photo courtesy of Steven Berry, IISC