Limitless Potential

Students and Visitors Attend Graduation Celebration with the Dean Event

Graduates of the Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, joined by their families and friends, gathered for Graduation Celebration with the Dean on Friday, May 16.

Held prior to the 2025 Spring Commencement Ceremony, this event served as an opportunity to recognize graduating students and celebrate their significant accomplishments.

Attendees were able to connect with faculty members from the College while enjoying light refreshments.

To view photos from Graduation Celebration with the Dean, visit the link:

https://coans39.pixieset.com/graduationcelebrationwiththedean/

Launch Party Unveils 2025 Edition of The Brand

The Brand Magazine is a yearly publication that students in Dr. Tanner Robertson's AGRI 4380: Ag Media Capstone class produce for the Department of Agricultural Sciences.

The Brand Launch Party was held at the Piehl-Schaeffer Pavilion on Thursday, May 15.

Attendees of this event were faculty, family and friends of the students in the class, magazine sponsors and individuals who were in the stories.

The stories in The Brand highlight the successes of the Department of Agricultural Sciences, features individuals and their impact on WT AG and highlights teams and events throughout the year.

This year's edition of The Brand includes stories on influential individuals such as Mrs. Rebekah Backman, Dr. Bob Robinson and Dr. Terry Caviness and their impacts on the College and the legacies of Dr. Charles Smallwood and Mr. Paul Engler.

The Brand also covers events such as the unveiling of the Paul Engler bronze statue, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and Beyond the Barn.

IFFA Meat Industry Convention

WTAMU graduate students and Assistant Professor of Animal Science, Dr. Trent Schwartz, traveled to Frankfurt, Germany for the International Convention for the Technology of Meat and Alternative Proteins that was held on May 3-8.

This triennial conference was attended by over 63,000 individuals from food retail, meat processing and butcher industries throughout 144 countries.

Attendees learned about protein processing, innovative ingredients and artificial intelligence in the meat industry.

The group from WTAMU submitted 40 products to this competition and was recognized among American Association of Meat Processors at IFFA in the Quality Competition for Sausage and Ham.

"Because of the large number of gold medals that WTAMU won," Dr. Schwartz said. "The students were also recognized with a sweepstakes trophy. WTAMU was the highest ranked university in the competition, and the only university to receive a sweepstakes trophy."

The graduate students who represented WTAMU included: Ryan Heitschmidt, Ambri Harrigal, Shelton Luedke, Bailey Lamb, Cole Petit, Bryant Sawin, Megan Eckhardt and Macy Lawrence.

Panhandle Grain and Feed Association Presents Scholarship

The mission of the Panhandle Grain and Feed Association is to educate and enlighten their members, as well as the public, in all matters pertaining to the grain and feed business.

PGFA provides scholarships to Clarendon College, West Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University, Eastern New Mexico University, South Plains College and local high schoolers.

PGFA presented Jacie Gurrero, a WTAMU student studying plant, soil and environmental science, with an academic scholarship at the annual convention on May 8, in Amarillo.

Jacie was accompanied by Dr. David Lust, Head of the Department of Agricultural Sciences, and Dr. Lance Kieth, Associate Dean of External Relations and Recruiting for the Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences.

PGFA also sponsors Snack Pak 4 Kids, the High Plains Food Bank, and Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch.