Attitude plays a pivotal role in shaping both academic and professional achievement. As a student, a positive attitude cultivates resilience, fosters a growth mindset, and enhances learning experiences. In a professional context, attitude becomes equally crucial. A proactive and positive attitude boosts work ethic, teamwork, and overall job satisfaction. Whether you are a student or a professional, cultivating a constructive attitude is key. Key to overcoming obstacles, achieving your goals, and maintaining long-term success. | |
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An unrealized vision of Paul Engler was to have the world’s best education and research Beef Cattle Feedlot located at West Texas A&M University. Why not? Located in the heart of the beef cattle feeding and processing region of the United States, WTAMU already has a state-of-the-art meat science and innovation center. Why not have world-class facilities on the live side of beef cattle feeding?
West Texas A&M University serves as a major contributor of workers and leaders in the feeding industry and conducts research directly applicable for use in the industry.
With support from leaders and members of the Texas Cattle Feeders Association (TCFA), plans were undertaken to build a state-of-the-art education and research center. Supporters gave land for the program, a water source was identified to meet needs, and a pipeline was designed to deliver water to the new feedlot site.
State support for personnel and operations was obtained through an initiative to advance food animal production in the Panhandle and federal support through USDA-Rural Development was obtained to build the education and training facility. Support from key industry providers augments the funding to build a feedlot for the future where new technologies can be tested and further developed.
The facility will include 50 large pens with a capacity for 70+ animals each and 90 research pens with capacities of 10 to 15 animals each. Automation of feed mixing, feed delivery, bunk reading, animal health, and well-being will be developed with industry partners. Technologies and camera placement in the feedlot and processing areas will allow for live training in the classrooms of the education center. Planning and resource identification continues, but we are getting closer to realizing Paul Engler’s vision and dream!
Groundbreaking is planned during the Fall of 2024.
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An Attitude of Excellence | |
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WT’s two Quiz Bowl Teams faced off in the finals at the 2024 American Meat Science Reciprocal Meats Conference on June 16, emerging as National Champion and Reserve National Champion. This achievement adds WT to the exclusive list of only four universities who have secured the top two positions since the contest began in 2002.
In addition to the prestigious team trophies, individual students also earned awards.
Team Results:
Champion! and Reserve Champion!
Individual Results:
Will Boyd, M.S. Animal Science: 2nd Master's ePoster Category
Megan Eckhart, Ph.D. Agriculture: Hunter International Travel Award
Ryan Heitschmidt, Sr. Animal Science: AMSA Undergraduate Scholastic Achievement Award
Individual Results in Competitive Events
Undergraduate Division
Cole Petit, M.S. Animal Science: 1st
Jozie Petit, Soph. Agriculture Media and Communication: 2nd
Jacob McMillian, B.S. Animal Science '24: 3rd
Daniel Raab, Sr. Animal Science: 4th
Cole Verret, Sr. Animal Science: 5th
Helene Keiser, Jr. Animal Science: 6th
Ryan Heitschmidt, Sr. Animal Science: 7th
Graduate Division
Zane Platter, M.S. Animal Science: 2nd
Megan Eckhardt, Ph.D. Agriculture: 4th
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An Attitude of Servant Leadership | |
Mrs. Amy Newton, Business Administrator, was recognized for being selected as the Employee of the Year! | |
Mrs. Rebekah Bachman, Assistant Dean, was recognized for twenty-five years of service! | |
Ms. Gretchen Henley, Assistant Director of Advising Services, was recognized for five years of service! | |
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Congratulations to these three outstanding employees as they marked a significant milestone in their respective careers. Dr. Pond, Dean of the Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, shared comments of support for all.
“Amy came to WTAMU with excellent experience developed in the private sector and within Canyon ISD. She quickly learned the WTAMU system and leads the accounting and bookkeeping efforts in the Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences. She is a highly valued employee and so deserving of Employee of the Year."
"Rebekah has excelled at everything she has attempted. From a National Champion Equestrian Team Coach to the ‘all everything’ for academic programs in the College, she sees something that needs to be done and it is done. She is a perfectionist and everyone who has the pleasure of working with her is a better person because of her influence. Twenty-five years is great, but I believe thirty would be better."
"As a proud alumna of our College, Gretchen is very knowledgeable as an advisor and a great part of our College family. She is a member of the Dean’s Team who consistently keeps us updated and improves the college experience of our students. Looking forward to continuing a great partnership!”
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The Texas Cattle Feeders Association(TCFA) understands the importance of connecting students to the fed cattle industry and supporting these students through their research endeavors, as they are likely to become future consultants to the industry. To continue TCFA’s support of graduate student research, the TCFA Research Committee established the TCFA Distinguished Student Fellowship and has selected the first recipient, Kasi Schneid, Ph.D. student at West Texas A&M University.
“Working alongside future employees, researchers, and consultants of the fed-beef industry as they pursue graduate degrees and conduct research is one of the bases the TCFA Research Committee operates on,” said Max Harrison, chairman of the TCFA Research Committee. “The health of cattle in feed yards is a top priority for cattle feeders, and Kasi’s research on liver abscesses directly aligns with the industry’s goal of continuously improving the health of fed cattle.”
Kasi is conducting liver abscess research under Dr. Kendall Samuelson, Associate Professor of Animal Science. Kasi will be awarded $25,000 from TCFA to conduct her research.
“It is a tremendous honor to have been selected for this fellowship, and I cannot thank the Texas Cattle Feeders Association and everyone affiliated enough for making this opportunity possible,” Kasi said. “I look forward to interacting with the TCFA membership and the opportunity to share my research with our industry stakeholders.”
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It is with a heavy heart that we share the passing of Phyllis Ann Gerdsen, a generous and longtime supporter of WTAMU, specifically WT Agriculture. Phyllis graduated from Canyon High School in 1962 and received her B.S. in Education from West Texas State University. Phyllis, her sister, and her late brother generously gifted the Gerdsen Family Centennial Ranch to the West Texas A&M University Foundation for agricultural education and research, ensuring a lasting legacy for future students.
“Phyllis Gerdsen was a delightful, fun-loving person with extreme gratification for her family roots and their contribution to the region. She loved West Texas A&M University and was so proud of the gift of their family land to Agricultural Sciences. Her brother, who worked the land, and her sister were equally excited to participate in the Land Legacy Program of WTAMU in the gift of their Centennial Ranch. I fondly anticipated letters or notes from Phyllis. She had an excellent choice of words to clearly tell a story and her handwriting was exquisite. I saved her correspondence and enjoy rereading it on occasion," Dr. Pond said.
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PSES 4302/5302, Range/Forage/Wildlife, offered during May Intersession and taught by Dr. Tim Steffens, Professor and Rangeland Resource Manager, explores with students how natural processes can be managed, primarily through grazing management, to provide more reliable and higher quality livestock grazing. Improvement of the resources on which that livestock enterprise depends and enhancing the wildlife habitat that may be used as another potential profit center are key topics.
During the course, students learn how to have the right number of the right class of the right animal at the right place at the right time for the right duration and at the right frequency, in order to improve watershed function and change the opportunities for plants of different types to compete with each other so that desired species are favored. In doing so, animals can take care of themselves more reliably, and the whole operation is more resilient to weather and economically related disturbances that decrease risks, lower expenses, and increase the potential for profit for land managers.
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Each May Intersession, BIOL 3099/5099, Field Biology is taught by Dr. Ray Matlack, Professor of Biology, and is held in a different region of the country to learn about the ecology and wildlife species present while examining wildlife management activities along the way. This year's trip was to Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in San Antonio, New Mexico, then on to the Chiricahua Mountains in southeast Arizona. This area is biologically diverse because of the geology, location, and the resulting diversity of habitats were observed. Many habitats from Chihuahua desert to oak/juniper to ponderosa pine forest. More than 100 species of birds, more than 20 types of lizards, along with deer, javelina, aoudad and much more were identified. | |
A few Agricultural Media and Communication students volunteered their expertise at the 2024 Coors Cowboy Ranch Rodeo June 6-8. Students produced and provided live videos to the big screen on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday performances. | |
Dr. Christy Petry-Adams, Clinical Assistant Professor of Agricultural Business and Economics, Dr. Lance Kieth, Couch Family Professor of Extension Education and Associate Dean of External Relations and Recruiting for the Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, Dr. Ty Lawrence, Caviness Davis Distinguished Chair in Meat Sciences, Professor of Animal Science and Director of the Beef Carcass Research Center, and Dr. Kevin Williams, Richard and Mary West Traylor Professor and Associate Professor of Agricultural Education, traveled to College Station, Texas June 3-6 for the Texas 4-H Roundup. The Roundup is the pinnacle event of the state 4-H Program. The event consists of approximately 50 competitive events, with many contests requiring each individual or team to qualify at the county and district level to compete. | |
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The Texas 4-H Foundation Gala serves as an opportunity to raise funds for the education and leadership development programs for the Texas 4-H Program. The Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences purchased a table in honor of Dr. Martha Couch for her 36 years of service to the Texas 4-H Program and for her family’s support of West Texas A&M University. Dr. Lance Kieth serves as the Couch Family Professor of Extension Education.
Pictured left to right: Dr. Monty Dozier, Mrs. Teresa Smith, Mr. Kyle Smith, Dr. Lance Kieth, Dr. Martha Couch, Dr. Angela and Mr. Bob Burkham.
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The Harvard Management Development Program is a week-long conference hosted on Harvard's Cambridge Massachusetts camps. The program helps higher education managers acquire knowledge and insight to think more strategically, balance competing demands, and engage in more forward-thinking leadership. This year Dr. Brock Blaser, Harman Professor of Dryland Farming and Associate Dean of Academics Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, Dr. Rick Haasl, Associate Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, and Mrs. Kimberley Cornelsen, Executive Director of Rogers LEAD WT, were selected to represent WTAMU as part of 90 participants from over 70 institutions around the country. It was a great opportunity to learn from others’ experiences and realize ways that we can better help our students succeed.
“The Harvard Leadership Conference is designed for leaders in academia to learn and discuss new concepts and leadership opportunities and challenges. We are delighted that Dr. Brock Blaser participated in this year’s conference. I am certain that it was time well spent and that his West Texas values rubbed off on others," Dr. Pond said.
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A Moment with Mrs. Bachman | |
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Everyone has complete control of their attitude. What does that really mean? The way you work with others, react to circumstances, and address challenges are all within your control. Your attitude is beyond whether you are an optimist or pessimist—it is a mindset on how you approach everything in your life. Everything. Some believe a setback is a failure while others view a setback as a new opportunity. Early in life, I made the decision to live my life every day with a positive attitude. I did so because I was happiest acting that way. Little did I know that my attitude would shape my life and the overall success I have achieved.
Think about your attitude. If you don’t like what you discover, change it. After all, you are the one in control.
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Editor: Brooklyn Spencer
If you have any suggestions, comments, or content ideas, please email bspencer@wtamu.edu or buffbrief@wtamu.edu
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