Pond's Ponder
Strive to be the lead dog or the view never changes.
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Thank You for Your Service! | |
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This Veterans Day, the Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences honors and thanks all those who have served. The College would also like to express gratitude to current COANS students for their dedication and sacrifice.
- Shelby Perkins, B.S. Equine Industry & Business
- Thomas Grimes, B.S. Plant, Soil and Environmental Science
- Clover Watson, B.S. Environmental Science
- Adolfo San Miguel, B.S. Plant, Soil and Environmental Science
- Brian Pettipiece, B.S. Physics
- Paige Perdue, B.S. Science Education
- Genesis Regalado, B.S. Animal Science
- James Whitman, B.S. Science Education
- Timothy Butcher, B.S. Biology/Pre-Veterinary Medicine
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The Department of Chemistry & Physics and the Department of Life, Earth, & Environmental Sciences hosted their annual Science Community Night Nov. 2 in the Legacy Hall on WTAMU campus. The event brought together faculty, alumni, students and supporters to celebrate the natural sciences programs and raise funds for student scholarships.
The evening kicked off with students Jordan Bennett and Clover Watson serving as emcees, welcoming the audience. Cash Greathouse, board member of the Panhandle Producers & Royalty Owners Association (PPROA), spoke on behalf of the organization, which was the evening's primary sponsor.
After dinner, keynote speaker Lauren Salazar '10, an optometrist, inspired guests. Dr. Salazar, the first doctor in her family, shared her personal journey and key moments of her time at WTAMU. She credited her success to a combination of hard work, sacrifices, the education she received at home from her mother and her formal schooling.
Following the keynote, attendees were given an overview of the natural sciences' latest activities, with prizes awarded from a drawing hosted by Bennett and Watson. The evening concluded with closing remarks by Dr. Jason Yarbrough, Department Head and Ross Wilson Endowed Chair in Chemistry.
A highlight of the evening was the fundraising effort for the Joseph Bramhall Hoot Memorial Scholarship. Funds also supported a new scholarship for middle school students attending the inaugural WTAMU Science Camp this summer.
“Science Community Night was a great success," Dr. Jason Yarbrough said. "I am proud and thankful for the talented students and faculty in our science departments. I would like to thank the faculty that served on the Science Community Night steering committee, especially the chair, Dr. Sara-Louise Newcomer. Their hard work and leadership paid off.”
In addition to the scholarships, the funds raised will support student science organizations in the natural sciences.
The event was made possible through the generous support of the Panhandle Producers & Royalty Owners Association. The College would like to extend a special thank you to PPROA and looks forward to their continued partnership.
Science Community Night was an evening of camaraderie, inspiration and shared enthusiasm for the future of WTAMU's Natural Sciences programs.
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From Education to Experience | |
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In a LinkedIn post for Warner Seeds, Research Technician Cole Novak '24 expressed his appreciation for his experience in the Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences.
"I attended West Texas A&M to study Plant, Soil, and Environmental Sciences (PSES) and graduated with a Bachelors May of 2024. Prior to my employment with Warner Seeds, I worked for Dr. Bednarz at the Semi-Arid Agricultural Systems Institute at West Texas A&M University in Canyon. While the primary focus was on cotton growth and development, I also got hands-on experience with a variety of research projects including multispectral remote sensing to monitor crop water stress, biochar production and application, eddy covariance flux tower construction and more. The work I did there opened my eyes to what is possible when agriculture benefits from advanced technology and to the environmental challenges of the Texas Panhandle.
I knew then that crop research would always spark my curiosity and maintain it through novel challenges. That passion is what brought me to Warner Seeds and sorghum research. What I like most about sorghum is its genetic diversity and its suitability for semi-arid environments. My interests include throwing pottery, fishing and hiking in the backcountry."
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Representatives of the Department of Agricultural Sciences, the Agricultural Ambassadors, worked with Window on a Wider World (WOWW) to successfully host an educational event on Oct. 23 for 200 students in grades 6-8 from the Panhandle region. The goal of the event was to educate students about Panhandle Agriculture and provide Ag. Ambassadors with hands-on experience in planning and delivering an educational event.
Twenty-six Ambassadors worked hard to develop and present 4 one-hour workshops with the following titles: "Debunking the Myths & Misconceptions - The Food We Eat," "Backbone of the Texas Panhandle - Meat Production," "From Cows to Cones - The Science Behind Ice Cream," and "Campus to Careers - Preparing for College and Exploring Careers in Ag." Each workshop included engaging hands-on activities, such as making ice cream, using milk donated by Dairy Max.
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The workshops were presented from a consumer's perspective, highlighting the positive impact agriculture has on their daily lives. Additionally, the middle school students and their teachers were provided with educational handouts and recruiting materials funded by the Ag Development Association and the Department of Agricultural Sciences. | |
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Dr. Bailey Samper, Assistant Professor of Agricultural Business and Economics, and Dr. Mallory Vestal, Assistant Department Head and Associate Professor of Agricultural Business and Economics, are collaborating on an innovative research project. They have received the prestigious Killgore Faculty Research Grant, awarded by the WTAMU Graduate School in partnership with the WTAMU Office of Sponsored Research Services.
The title of their project is Economic Perspectives of Beef-on-Dairy Calf Management on Texas Calf Ranches.
As part of their research, Dr. Sampers and Dr. Vestal will survey calf ranches across the Texas Panhandle and surrounding regions to establish a comprehensive benchmark of current industry practices in managing beef-on-dairy calves. Additionally, their study will assess producers' perspectives on the economic incentives and constraints associated with health and nutritional management strategies for these calves
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The world's greatest bull rider, Dale Brisby, visited Dr. Pond's class Oct. 30.
Dr. Pond teaches Personal and Professional Leadership Development (AGRI 2300). It is an introduction to leadership practice with a focus on leadership styles and roles to build self-awareness, effective communication, ethical consideration and professional relationships.
At the beginning of each semester, Dr. Pond asks his class who they would like to have as a speaker. His class chose Dale Brisby, most known for his clothing brand, "Rodeo Time." Brisby spoke on his experience as an entrepreneur and business owner.
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The Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences is proud to announce the following outstanding individuals recognized in the Gallery of Excellence:
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Faculty Honoree: Dr. Ty Lawrence, Caviness Davis Distinguished Chair in Meat Science, Distinguished Graduate Faculty
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Staff Honoree: Amy Newton, COANS Business Administrator, Employee of the Year
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Student Honoree: Caden Bonilla, Senior Biology/Pre-Dental Major, Student Employee of the Year
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Student Honoree: Zane Platter, M.S. in Animal Science, Graduate Assistant of the Year
These individuals exemplify the dedication, hard work and excellence that contribute to the success and vibrancy of the COANS community.
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The WTAMU MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences) chapter invites you to our Scholarship Workshop on November 11th at 6:00 PM in AGS 207.
What to Expect:
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Learn about valuable scholarship opportunities available through MANRRS
- Get personalized feedback on your scholarship application
- Opportunity to fill out a MANRRS scholarship application
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Enjoy free food and great company
About MANRRS:
MANRRS offers a supportive community of students from diverse backgrounds, dedicated to building a stronger future for professionals in agriculture, natural resources and related sciences. Their goal is to foster an environment that emphasizes students' success while advancing their career and professional development. As a member, students have access to industry connections, internships, conferences and opportunities in fields like science, technology, engineering, agriculture, and mathematics (STEAM).
For more information, contact:
Francisco Ortega
fjortega1@buffs.wtamu.edu
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