Pond's Ponder
On Saturday, Dec. 14, the College celebrated 131 graduates at commencement. Here is a message to all:
Dream big, work hard and you will attain what you dream!
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In November, 16 WTAMU undergraduate students traveled to New Zealand for a study abroad experience focused on the comparative study of agricultural practices. In attendance were students majoring in Agricultural Education; Agribusiness; Agricultural Business and Economics; Plant, Soil and Environmental Science; and Animal Science. They were accompanied by Dr. Bridget Guerrero, Paul Engler Professor of Agriculture; Dr. Lal Almas, Regents Professor of Agricultural Business and Economics; and Mrs. Rebekah Bachman, emeritus COANS Assistant Dean.
The program highlighted multiple facets of agriculture across both the south and north island including deer farming, cropping, dairy, sheep, beef, forestry, viticulture, advocacy, agritourism, innovation and policy.
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The 18-day trip was packed with 19 different agricultural tours. The trip expanded students’ academic experience beyond the Texas Panhandle and broadened their knowledge of international markets.
The group wishes to thank everyone who supported this experience.
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Honoring Dr. Terry Caviness | |
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On Saturday, Dec. 14, West Texas A&M University and the Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences awarded an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Agriculture Business degree to Terry Caviness, CEO of Caviness Beef Packers.
"Terry Caviness has always given of his time and talents to the agricultural and food industries, to West Texas A&M University and to the community," said Dr. Kevin Pond, Dean. "We are excited to award him with the most prestigious honor an individual can receive from the University, an Honorary Ph.D. in Agriculture Business."
Founded in 1962 by Terry’s father, Pete Caviness, Caviness Beef Packers, now including CS Beef Packers, is the 6th largest beef packer in the United States. At the helm of company operations, Terry is proudly joined by his sons, Trevor and Regan, third generation members of the Caviness family currently serving as Caviness Beef Packers’ President and Vice President, respectively. Collectively, Caviness Beef and CS Beef harvest over 4,700 head of cattle per day at facilities located in Hereford, Amarillo, and Kuna, ID.
As a highly regarded leader in the cattle industry, Caviness remains devoted to upholding his family’s legacy of excellence. Throughout his career, he has served in many significant leadership roles including Director of the Southwest Meat Association and Past Chairman and Director of the National Meat Association, where he was the 2009 recipient of the Association’s most distinguished award for service, the E. Floyd Forbes award. A recent career highlight, Caviness was inducted to the Meat Industry Hall of Fame, Class of 2023, for his extensive contributions to the meat industry in the areas of innovation and business success and for his commitment to community service and philanthropy.
In addition to his industry leadership, Dr. Caviness continues to have a monumental impact on WTAMU and the West Texas Region. Together with his family, he founded the Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences’ Caviness Meat Science and Innovation Center, “a teaching a research facility dedicated to the transfer of knowledge in the conversion of muscle to meat.” Later, the Caviness Davis Distinguished Chair in Meat Science was established, a role currently held by Dr. Ty Lawrence, Professor of Animal Science. Most recently, Terry, Trevor, and Regan Caviness were honored as recipients of WTAMU’s 2024 Pinnacle Award for their significant contributions to the University’s strategic initiatives.
"Terry Caviness embodies the spirit of the Panhandle," said Dr. Lawrence. "He is a tireless servant leader to his industry and to his community. At WTAMU, we strive to teach and foster personal growth within our students so they become the next leaders within their respective fields and communities. Dr. Caviness is a man that exemplifies the character qualities we should all aim for in life."
The honorary doctoral degree was conferred at the 2024, Fall Commencement Ceremony, held in WTAMU’s First United Bank Center. Following the ceremony, a luncheon was hosted for the Caviness family and friends in the Dr. Kenneth O. Wilson Lecture Theater of the Happy State Bank Academic and Research Building.
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WTAMU Student Earns First Doctorate in Collaboration with VERO Program | |
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A West Texas A&M University student will graduate with a doctorate Dec. 14 thanks to a unique partnership between the University and the Texas A&M University veterinary school.
Daniel Young, a Pendleton, Indiana, native, officially will be granted his Ph.D. in agriculture during the 10 a.m. Dec. 14 commencement ceremony after successfully defending a dissertation that involved work in both WTAMU’s Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences and Texas A&M’s Veterinary Education, Research and Outreach program.
Through its campus at WTAMU, VERO offers a 2+2 Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program within the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, but the Canyon facility also offers plentiful research opportunities.
“The VERO research program is really taking off, and I’m glad to be a small part of it,” Young said.
In working on his dissertation, “Gastrointestinal Health of Feedlot Cattle and Its Relation to Liver Abscesses,” Young split time between the VERO lab and the WT Research Feedlot.
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WTAMU Collegiate Farm Bureau Success | |
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The Collegiate Farm Bureau chapter at WTAMU traveled to Round Rock for the 91st Texas Farm Bureau Annual Meeting Dec. 7 - Dec. 9.
Beth Martinek, WTAMU Collegiate Farm Bureau President, and Addie Brown, WTAMU Collegiate Farm Bureau Secretary, represented their club, WTAMU and the COANS Department of Agricultural Sciences with a table at the trade show.
WTAMU Collegiate Farm Bureau members attended business sessions and general assemblies to learn about Texas Farm Bureau's engagement in agriculture policy. The club had two teams compete in the Inaugural Collegiate Quiz Bowl Competition. Team A placed 1st in the contest and Team B placed 3rd.
Team A members were Landon Langenbau, Spencer Walahoski, Ryan Stricker and Anna Decker. Team B members were Jett Long, Grahm Wristres, Montana Goodman and Keller Metzler. Josie Thomas served as coach and Dr. Nate Wolf, Assistant Professor of Agricultural Education, served as faculty advisor.
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Ashlyn Williams '23 was crowned Miss Rodeo Texas 2024 in June of this year. Last week, she represented the state of Texas in the Miss Rodeo America pageant.
The Miss Rodeo America organization and pageant selects the ideal ambassador to serve as the spokesperson for the Professional Rodeo Cowboy's Association. Rodeo queens from each state compete in areas of appearance, horsemanship, personality and knowledge of the sport. Through Miss Rodeo America's reigning year, she will travel over 100,000 miles appearing at 100 rodeo performances, in addition to other public and special events aiming to educate on and create awareness of the sport of rodeo.
The Miss Rodeo America pageant competition is hosted in line with the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo to crown the next reigning title. Williams, the WTAMU alum who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Education in May of 2023, represented Texas in competition for the ultimate crown.
Williams was named Miss Rodeo America 1st Runner Up after winning the Horsemanship and Photogenic categories, and securing the People's Choice Award for her chap designs. Her chaps paid homage to the buffalo, a symbol of strength, unity, freedom and the American spirit. In a post prior to the competition, Williams explained that her choice to highlight buffalo stems from her deep connection to what they represent and their significance as her alma mater's mascot. Go Buffs!
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Applications are now open for a summer research experience through the University of Illinois Urbana-Campain's Center for Digital Agriculture.
WTAMU Buffs enrolled in one of the following degree programs, either part-time or full-time, are specially invited to apply: Plant, Soil, and Environmental Sciences, Animal Science, Agricultural Economics and Business, Engineering, Computer Science, Biology, and other related majors.
This is a 10-week paid opportunity ($7,000 stipend, ~ $700/week). Housing arrangements and travel expenses will be covered. The program extends from May 27 to Aug. 1, 2025.
The application deadline is Feb. 1, 2025. For more information, please contact Dr. Guillermo Marcillo.
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