Alumni Updates from AGNR's Momentum: Winter 2008

Fall Flashbacks

From the dedication of the formal portrait of Sam Riggs at the Alumni Center to the cheer of fans in Byrd Stadium, AGNR alumni, students, and friends were out and about at a variety of events!

Homecoming Happenings

In addition to Amanda Brown ’03 playing her baritone and marching in the Alumni Band at Homecoming, AGNR alums Eric Almquist ’96, Sarah Krizek ’06, and Sara Tangren ’00 in coordination with Kimberly Monahan ’96, coordinator, Student Services, Environmental Science and Technology, developed an attractive, educational exhibit with “cool” AGNRand backyard habitat-related giveaways for Terps of all ages. Current AGNR students and AGNR club members in themarching band are Charlotte Sanford-Crane (Animal and Avian Sciences), Ben Brown (Landscape Management), Malora Cahall (Animal and Avian Sciences), Cindie Hengen (Animal and Avian Sciences), Dani Wysocki (Animal and Avian Sciences), Arin Elisabeth Blevins (Animal and Avian Sciences), Adam Cook (Animal and Avian Sciences), Catherine Gannon (Animal and Avian Sciences), Jennifer Hill (Animal Husbandry Club), Lauren Land (Environmental Science and Policy), JonahRichmond (Environmental Science and Policy), Kimberly Schubert (Environmental Science and Policy), and Erin Shaw (Environmental Science and Policy).

 

AGNR Tailgate

Campus farm manager Lindsay Callahan ’03 and her crew did a great job sprucing up the campus farm, where nearly 100 AGNR alumni, students, and friends gathered to enjoy the second annual AGNR Tailgate prior to the Clemson game, October 27. Watch for announcements about the third annual AGNR Tailgate during the 2008 football season.

Sharing Our AGNR Terrapin Pride!

Kevin Stiles ’83, Animal Sciences, has been elected president-elect of the National Dairy Shrine. Stiles is vice president of marketing with Midwest Dairy Association and resides in Ankeny, Iowa, with his wife, Karen, and children, Logan and Garrett.

 

ANSC in the News ... Keeping you in the Loop!

Just in case you missed it, we wanted to share a couple of department and faculty highlights.

ANSC Ranks in Top Ten for Faculty Productivity

The Chronicle of Higher Education reported last fall that Academic Analytics had ranked the college’s Department of Animal and Avian Sciences (ANSC) No. 9 in the nation for faculty productivity for 2007. The metric used is a “faculty scholarly productivity index,” an unbiased assessment of faculty publication rates, impact on research through citations, grant funding, and awards received by faculty. ANSC ranked particularly high in the percentage of award-winning faculty, tying with the University of California at Davis for first place, at 25 percent. Crediting all faculty members for the achievement, department chair Dr. Tom Porter stated that this ranking “is a great reflection on our research program” and urged the department “to continue to publish high quality research and support that research through competitive grants.”.

 

Varner Named Coordinator for eXtension and Online Learning

Dr. Mark Varner has assumed the role of coordinator of eXtension and online learning for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR) following the resignation of Dr. Valorie McAlpin as executive director of online learning. “Dr. Varner brings much valuable experience to this position through his involvement with DAIReXNET, one of the first virtual communities to receive national eXtension development funding,” says AGNR dean, Dr. Cheng-i Wei.“I look forward to his leadership in this critical venue for learning that uses the latest in communication technologies to help bring the expertise and experience of AGNR to the greater global community.” A pioneer in online learning for the University of Maryland and the college, Varner has most recently been working with colleagues in AGNR and Russia on a three-year USAID higher education development competitive grant entitled“Putting Learning into Distance Education.” Varner’s initial focus in his new role will be on development of Maryland’s contributions to the new national Cooperative Extension System initiative, eXtension. He also will continue as professor, Extension dairy scientist, and undergraduate coordinator for the Department of Animal and Avian Sciences.