Kansas State University

Recent news from the College of Agriculture

Submitted by Kristina Boone

• The department of animal sciences and industry and Cargill co-hosted a record 758 registrants at the Association of Meat Science’s 64th Reciprocal Meat Conference, June 19–22. K-State is the first university to host the event three times. Melvin Hunt, professor emeritus of animal sciences and industry; Curtis Kastner, professor of animal science and industry and director of the Food Science Institute; Randy Phebus, professor of animal science and industry; Scott Smith, professor of animal science and industry; Ted Schroeder, distinguished professor of agricultural economics; Shannon Washburn, associate professor of communications; and Glynn Tonsor, assistant professor of agricultural economics; made presentations. Michael Dikeman, professor of animal sciences and industry; chaired the host committee. John Unruh, professor of animal science and industry; who serves on the American Meat Science Association board, will be the next program chairperson. Melissa Daniel Weber, May 2011 doctoral graduate in animal sciences and industry graduate, won the Ph.D. poster competition, and Alexandra Olson, master's student in food science, received an undergraduate achievement award. The group’s student board includes Carrie Highfill, master's student in food science, who serves as president, and Bryce Gerlach, doctoral student in animal sciences and industry.
• Deanna Retzlaff, assistant professor of food science, was honored by the U.S. Army Warrant Officer Corps for outstanding advising and mentoring of distance students in the military who are working toward food science degrees.
• Melvin Hunt, professor emeritus of animal sciences and industry, was named an Institute of Food Technologists Fellow and received the American Meat Science Association's International Lectureship Award.

Scholarship News:

• To honor his parents and family K-Staters, Alan Porter, Santa Barbara, Calif., made a $1 million bequest to the College of Agriculture establishing the Porter and Avery Family Agriculture Scholarship. Read about it here.

Study Abroad:

• Six horticulture students, three faculty, and 13 garden enthusiasts toured England May 15–29. Cathie Lavis, associate professor of horticulture, forestry and recreation resources; and Stu Warren, professor of horticulture, forestry and recreation resources; led the tour.
• Tim Rozell, associate professor of animal science and industry; and 18 College of Agriculture students were hosted by students from Purpan College of Engineering in Toulouse during a tour of southwest France, Normandy, Champagne, and Paris.
• Dave Nichols, professor of animal science and industry; and Tim Carson, computer information specialist for animal sciences and industry; accompanied 16 animal sciences students on an 11-day study trip to China. The trip included visits to farms and tourist attractions.