U.S. National Science Foundation Proposal Awarded to Faculty | | |
Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Dr. Juganta Roy, was recently awarded a research grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation’s Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Hispanic-Serving Institutions program.
Specifically, Dr. Roy’s research proposal aims to develop a computational model for efficient photochromic sensitizers for semitransparent dye-sensitized solar cells. The computational framework will be built to design new photochromic dyes based on the structure-property relationship of existing dyes. Using these photochromic dyes, the semitransparent dye-sensitized solar cells can more efficiently convert sunlight into electricity.
This award will allow Dr. Roy to mentor six undergraduate students over two years. Additionally, the funding will create opportunities for local high school students to participate in summer camps and outreach programs, enhance recruitment of students to STEM programs, and ensure that all STEM students, including first-generation and Pell Grant-eligible students, have equal opportunities to participate in and benefit from program initiatives.
| | Students and faculty kicked off the summer with recruiting trips across the U.S. These representatives from WTAMU engaged with high school students to talk about their interests and to recruit potential students. | | |
Recruitment Coordinator, McKinley Begert and senior agriculture major, Campbell Offield, traveled to Manhattan for the Kansas State FFA Convention held on May 26- 30.
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Dr. Kelly Jones, Clinical Assistant Professor of Agriculture, joined by several WTAMU undergraduate students, traveled to Las Cruces, for the New Mexico FFA State Convention that was held from May 27-30.
Dr. Jones was accompanied by agricultural media & communications students including junior, Abbigayle Smith, junior, Josie Petit, junior, Christopher Wristers and senior, Kaslyn Moczygemba.
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Dr. Mallory Vestal, Assistant Department Head and Associate Professor of Agricultural Business and Economics, along with senior agricultural media & communications major, Addie Brown, junior agricultural education major, Lyndsey Pancost, and Master of Science in agriculture student, Jolie Bond, traveled to Pueblo for the Colorado State FFA Convention that was held on June 3-5.
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Recruitment Coordinator, McKinley Begert, senior agriculture major, Campbell Offield, and Professor of Animal Science, Dr. Ty Lawrence traveled to Tucson for the 2025 Arizona State Leadership Conference that was held June 5-7, 2025.
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Mr. Cody Bonds, Instructor of Agricultural Sciences and Head Rodeo Coach, traveled to Abilene on Sunday, June 7 for The Texas High School Rodeo Association State Finals.
| | Faculty Tour Indian Springs Ranch | | |
Jeff and Jessica Mitchell, owners of Indian Springs Cattle Company, invited faculty from the Department of Agricultural Science for a tour of their family ranch on May 22.
Indian Springs Cattle Company, located near Lake Meredith, is associated with the historic Alibates Flint Quarry. Since owning the ranch, the Mitchell family has significantly increased the cattle carrying capacity, provided ample habitat for a variety of wildlife including grassland birds, small mammals, reptiles, predators, and big game species.
The ranch frequently collaborates on research, demonstration, and educational programs to promote cattle production, wildlife and habitat management practices. In recognition of their conservation efforts, the Mitchell Family and Indian Springs Cattle Company were honored with the Lone Star Land Steward Award from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in 2022.
The Mitchells treated faculty to a homemade chicken fried steak lunch and a driving tour discussing cattle, wildlife, and conservation management program for the historic ranch.
| | U.S. Meat Export Federation Short Course Held at WTAMU | |
The U.S. Meat Export Federation Short Course
was held at the Happy State Bank Academic and Research Building on June 2-6, 2025.
This event was led by the U.S. Meat Export Federation and hosted by WTAMU.
Attendees of this event traveled from over 15 different countries, all that import U.S. meat.
Attendees were able to learn about U.S. meat through the "Pork 101 Short Course" and "Beef 101 Short Course," live demonstrations, and meat tastings that were presented by Dr. Loni Luckerk, Assistant Professor of Animal Science, and Dr. Trent Schwartz, Assistant Professor of Animal Science.
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"Hosting the U.S. Meat Export Federation is a privilege," Dr. Schwartz said. "Individuals from around the globe come to WTAMU to learn about beef production and processing. This program provides immense value to these individuals and helps promote U.S. beef on an international level. It is a joy to instruct during this program, and participants from this year's class thoroughly enjoyed their visit."
| | Faculty Focus | Ms. Sidney Dunkel | | Click here to sign up for this event | | |
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