Names in the News
Dairy Science Professor Named Fellow
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| Mike Akers |
Mike Akers, Horace E. and Elizabeth F. Alphin professor and department head of dairy science, was named a fellow of the national American Dairy Science Association (ADSA). This year, the honor was bestowed upon six ADSA members who have rendered distinguished service to the dairy industry for 20 or more years.
Akers is recognized for his outstanding career of quality research to benefit the national and international dairy industry as well as his consistent service to the ADSA. Akers’ research has focused on the endocrine regulation of mammary development and function, and especially the role of IGF-I and related molecules in heifer mammary development. He and his research team have recently identified local tissue elements that regulate mammary cell proliferation.
Swiger Award Honors Excellence in the College
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| Dean Emeritus Andy Swiger, Professor of Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences Carl Griffey, Dean Sharron Quisenberry, and Associate Dean and Director of the Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station Craig Nessler. |
Carl Griffey of Roanoke, Va., and Linda Burcham of Riner, Va., received Andy Swiger Land-Grant Awards for their contributions to the college. Established to reward creative achievement and commitment to the college, the award recognizes both a faculty and a staff member whose accomplishments in teaching, research, or Extension greatly benefit the agriculture industry and improve the quality of life for Virginians.
Carl Griffey, professor of crop and soil environmental sciences, was honored for his program that addresses the reduced profitability caused by disease in the region’s
small grains industry. Last year, Griffey released two varieties of wheat with genetic resistance to Fusarium head blight, a toxin-producing disease known as “scab.” His releases have also included a high-gluten wheat variety with properties suitable for bread and baking products, which was previously unavailable in the soft red wheat varieties grown in the region. Additionally, Griffey developed a comprehensive breeding program aimed at producing a reduced-fiber, “hulless” variety of barley to reinvigorate the barley market in the region.
The impact of Griffey’s research on the agriculture industry is undeniable. “Farmers have planted at least 1.2 million acres of small grains with these varieties and will experience proven yield increases, quality improvements, and access to specialty markets that would not have existed without Dr. Griffey’s commitment and devotion to the land-grant mission,” says Steven Hodges, professor and head of the Department of Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences.
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| Extension Communications Manager Linda Burcham and Dean Sharron Quisenberry. |
As the communications manager for Virginia Cooperative Extension, Burcham oversees the production of about 400 print and online publications each year. She works with Extension agents, specialists, and faculty members in the colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Veterinary Medicine, and Natural Resources to deliver informational materials to Virginians across the commonwealth. In addition, she supports the college’s strategic communication efforts through marketing, public relations, and Web development.
“She is instrumental in fostering our public education programs as she simplifies the process for faculty and helps them with any problems,” says Jim Riddell, assistant director of agriculture and natural resources for Virginia Cooperative Extension. “Ms. Burcham is an exceptional employee who truly cares for her work and the people with whom she interacts.”
Generous contributions to the Andy Swiger Land-Grant Award Endowment make the annual recognition possible. “With others in the industry and university, we created these awards to keep the land-grant spirit alive by honoring the college’s outstanding faculty and staff member each year who most personify this spirit by serving the industry through making a real difference in the areas of food, agriculture, and biological sciences,” says Dean Emeritus
Andy Swiger.
In addition to recognizing two college personnel each year, the endowment honors Swiger’s leadership and service in the college. Swiger, who began his Virginia Tech career in 1980 as head of the Department of Animal Science, was associate dean from 1986 to 1992 and dean from 1992 to 2003.
Ashleigh Waddle Selected National
Collegiate Agriculture Ambassador
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| Ashleigh Waddle |
Ashleigh Waddle, a senior with a dual major in animal and poultry sciences and dairy science, has been selected as a National Collegiate Agriculture Ambassador. The program’s focus is to develop and implement a sustainable agricultural awareness program that influences and activates teachers and students at the community level to share the importance of agriculture.
Waddle enjoyed a week of training in early August in Indianapolis, Ind. She, along with 14 other ambassadors selected from around the nation, were trained to give presentations to high school classes, community organizations, and other interested groups that wish to learn more about the importance of the agriculture industry.
Waddle received a $1,500 scholarship and a digital camera for her yearlong commitment. She also received a laptop computer and LCD projector to use during the year.
Those interested in having Waddle speak at an event can contact her at waddle@vt.edu.
Students
Aveetal Gershon of Virginia Beach, Va., has been awarded the Lifeline Scholarship for one-half tuition and fees to attend Virginia Tech. The Lifeline Scholarship is awarded on academic merit and is given to graduates of the Virginia Community College System with the highest grade point average. Gershon, a graduate of Tidewater Community College, is working towards a degree in animal and poultry sciences.
Alumni
J. Burton Eller, Jr., (Animal Science B.S. ’64, M.S. ’70) was appointed Deputy Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) for the USDA. Eller will assist Under Secretary Bruce Knight and work with Deputy Under Secretary Chuck Lambert to oversee the management of USDA’s MRP mission area. MRP agencies are active participants in setting national and international agricultural standards. USDA agencies that make up the MRP mission area include the Agricultural Marketing Service; Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; and Grain Inspection, Packers, and Stockyards Administration.
Douglas M. Durant (AGE ’77, M.S. ’79) was awarded the Evelyn E. Rosentreter Standards Award from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers for his exemplary leadership in the development of effective standards and processes to the national and international advancement of ASABE and U.S. standards for agricultural equipment. Durant is manager of product standards at the John Deere Product engineering Center in Waterloo, Iowa. Ronald L. McAllister (AGE ’73) was awarded the NAMIC Engineering Safety Award from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers in recognition of his dedication and outstanding leadership and accomplishments in the field of agricultural safety engineering. McAllister is a manager at CNH America, LLC, in New Holland, Pa., where he is responsible for the prototype shop.
Faculty & Staff
Shelly Nickols-Richardson, associate professor of human nutrition, foods, and exercise, was honored with the Early Career Excellence in Teaching Award by the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, an international society of bone and mineral metabolism scientists. Nickols-Richardson was cited for “having an enthusiasm for research and discovery that is very inspiring.” She has a keen ability to discern the level of guidance required of each student; she consequently develops and implements an academic and research plan tailored to facilitate achievement of the student’s aspirations.
Jerry Williams, associate professor of horticulture, was honored with the Award for Excellence in Career Advising from Career Services, for which he was nominated by faculty and departmental career advisors throughout the university. The award recognizes career advisers at the university for the development of innovative career-advising resources and outreach programs.
Richard Saacke, professor emeritus of dairy science, was named the 2006 recipient of the L.E. Casida Award for Outstanding Graduate Student Mentorship from the American Society of Animal Science. The award recognizes excellence in the education of graduate and postdoctoral students to conduct research in the area of reproductive physiology and endocrinology. The quality of his graduate education program was reflected in the productive careers of his former students as innovative scientists, effective educators, and prominent industry leaders. The enthusiasm and high standards instilled in his protégés has spawned a productive new generation of leaders that will ensure his impact on the animal breeding industry endures long past his tenure.
Jennifer Abel, Extension family and consumer sciences agent in Arlington County, was recently selected to serve on a national team of five to create a toolkit for Extension educators around the country to use to develop programs and activities around America Saves Week, which will be held February 25 through March 7, 2007.
Phil Blevins, Extension agriculture and natural resources agent in Washington County, was awarded first place in the Applied Research Poster Contest at the National Association of County Agriculture Agents AM/PIC. Blevin’s poster featured his work with Allen Straw on organic tomato test plots, which also won a first prize in the poster competition during the Virginia Cooperative Extension Annual Conference in January.
Joe Botta, financial education program manager, and the Prince William County Extension office were honored with the 2006 Achievement Award by the National Association of Counties for the Earned Income Tax Credit Campaign. The group was cited as a national model for the outstanding program it offered during the 2005 tax season and its commitment to providing a valuable service to low-income residents through a partnership involving government, community, faith-based, and business organizations.