People
Al
Christian Earns Pork Checkoff Distinguished Service Award
Iowa State
Alumnus Named as New RVP
Elliott Named Vice President of American Angus Association
Sis
Appointed to Dean of School of Veterinary Medicine
Flinn Selected for Best
Teacher Award
Book Corner
Kirk Weih Elected President of the Iowa Chapter of the American Society of
Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers
North Carolina State Alumnus Awarded Prestigious Watauga Medal
On The Move
Al
Christian Earns Pork Checkoff Distinguished Service Award
America’s pork producers will honor Al Christian with the 2003 Distinguished
Service Award during a banquet March 8 at the National Pork Industry Forum
in Dallas, Texas. The Distinguished Service Award is given annually by the
National Pork Checkoff Board to recognize outstanding contributions for the
betterment of the pork industry.
“The Christian name is a legend in the pork industry and certainly at Iowa
State,” said Tom Floy, a National Pork Board member and a pork producer from
Thornton, Iowa. “To many students, Al has been much more than a teacher - he
has been a friend they could go to for advice and counsel, even long after
graduation.
Christian was instrumental in the development of Symbol, the representation
of the ideal market hog. Christian also provided hogs and other support for
the Pork Checkoff-funded PORK 101, and the Pork Value and Lean Value
contests, which led to the development of the Fat-Free Lean Index.
n
Iowa State Alumnus Named as New RVP
Iowa
State Alumnus, Dan E. Johnson, has been named as the new RVP for the North
Central region. Johnson is Vice President/ Branch Manager of UBTC in
Hampton, Iowa.
Brother Johnson was initiated into Alpha Gamma Rho in January of 1991 at
Iowa State University. As an undergraduate he held leadership positions in a
variety of on-campus organizations including IFC, VEISHEA and the Student
Alumni Association. He served as VNR House Operations in 1993 and is
currently an Eta Alumni Board Member.
Currently, Dan is involved in his local Rotary and is the local club
secretary, President of Main Street Hampton, Treasurer of Hampton Community
Housing and President of the Franklin County Bankers Association.
He has been married for two years to his wife, Carla, who is currently the
Director of Radiology at Wright Medical Center in Clarion, Iowa.
n
Elliott Named Vice President of American Angus Association
Joe Elliott, Tennessee - Knoxville, was elected Vice President of the
American Angus Association at the 2002 Annual Meeting held November 18 in
Louisville, KY. Joe just completed his second three-year term on the board
and one-year term as treasurer. His operation, Robert Elliott and Sons Farm,
is a family operation that includes Angus cattle and diversified farming
enterprises.
Elliott has spent his entire life farming and breeding Angus cattle in north
central Tennessee and is the sixth generation to do so on his family’s farm.
He and his wife, Anne, have two sons.
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Sis Appointed to Dean of School of Veterinary Medicine
Raymond
Sis, Kansas State, has been appointed to the position of Dean of the School
of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Sis's appointment follows an extensive search
for an accomplished academic leader by a committee composed of
administration, faculty, and student representatives. Dr. Sis assumed the
position of Dean on April 1, 2003. He has already contributed to the
development of the School in his role as Professor of Anatomy, Preclinical
Studies and Associate Dean of Students in the School of Veterinary Medicine.
n
Flinn selected for Best Teacher Award
Professor
William (Bill) Flinn of Beta Chapter at The Ohio State University
was selected by the Student Council of the Colleges of Arts and Sciences as
one of the ten best teachers from among the approximately 1,000 professors
in the five colleges that comprise the Arts and Sciences Colleges-Colleges
of the Arts, Colleges of Biological Sciences, College of Humanities, College
of Mathematical & Physical Sciences, and College of Social & Behavioral
Sciences. The Student Council noted that this is a major accomplishment. For
the past 21 years, Bill was President and Executive Director of the Midwest
Universities for International Activities, Inc. (MUCIA), the public
universities of the Big Ten Conference, and did not teach courses. Under his
presidency the consortium conducted $390 million in educational and
technical assistance projects in 55 countries.
After retiring from MUCIA last year, Bill returned to his teaching and
research position on the faculty and taught classes in Introductory Rural
Sociology. The students of the Colleges of Arts and Sciences have presented
these outstanding teaching awards since 1945, the only such awards at Ohio
State that are selected solely by students.
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Clyde
Stephens, Florida, 1953, has written another book on tropical adventures.
BANANA PEOPLE is a collection of short stories based on experiences in
Central America during four decades of Clyde’s career in banana research
with United Fruit Company, now Chiquita Brands. His career was partly
inspired by another Florida AGR, Sid Banack, who was born and raised on
banana plantations. Three chapters relate the adventurous life of three
generations of the Banack family in Central America, beginning nearly a
century ago. Other chapters reveal sensitive political intrigues, natural
history, native people, archaeology, anecdotes and adventures in the
tropics.
Since retirement in 1991, Stephens became a banana consultant. As a
volunteer for Winrock International, he has advised hundreds of small banana
farmers in Mexico, Guinea West Africa, Bangladesh, India and Nepal.
Presently, Clyde and his wife of 40 years, Phyllis, enjoy a home in Tavares,
Florida, and on an island in Bocas del Toro, Panama.
BANANA PEOPLE can be ordered by mail at: 11314 Davison LN, Tavares, FL
32778, or via Bananabyte@aol.com for $22.
n
Kirk
Weih became the 62nd president of the Iowa Chapter of the American Society
of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA) at the chapter's annual
meeting. The 250 plus member organization of leading agricultural property
professionals has been serving Iowa agriculture for over 60 years through
quality education programs, professional development and a strong code of
ethics.
Kirk is an Accredited Farm Manager (AFM) and licensed Real Estate Broker
with Hertz Farm Management, Inc. in Mt. Vernon, Iowa, and has worked with
farmland owners for over 24 years to manage, sell and acquire rural
properties in Eastern Iowa.
Kirk has established himself as a leader within the industry through his
work with a first of its kind ISO 9000 project in Lee county. He was
recognized by the ASFMRA as Farm Manager the Year in 1993 and has received
the National Association of Conservation Districts and ASFMRA National Farm
Manager Conservation Award. Additionally, Kirk is a recipient of the Iowa
Chapter ASFMRA and Iowa SWCS Farm Manager Conservation Award and was named a
Berg Fellow by the Soil and Water Conservation Society in 1994.
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North Carolina State Alumnus Awarded Prestigious Watauga Medal
The
Watauga Medal, the highest nonacademic honor bestowed by the University of
North Carolina State, was awarded to AGR Alumnus, Arthur Tab Williams Jr.,
or Winston-Salem.
Brother Williams grew up on a family farm in Pitt County and then graduated
from NC State in 1950 with a bachelor’s degree in agronomy. He worked for
four years as an agricultural extension agent in Forsyth County and became a
sales supervisor for the Winston-Salem Tobacco Market for two years.
After working for Taylor Oil Company for six years, Williams, in 1963,
created his own company, A.T. Williams Oil Company, and purchased six
full-service gas stations. That company later grew to become Wilco Travel
and Fuel Plazas, comprising 120 gas stations and convenience stores and 21
Wilco travel centers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and
Georgia. By the late 1990’s, Wilco was the largest independent gasoline
retailer in North Carolina. In 2001, Williams sold half of his company to a
longtime supplier, Amerada Hess Corporation.
Williams has been an active leader in major fund-raising campaigns at NC
State. In 1996, he established a Charitable Annuity Lead Trust that makes
annual gifts to support three scholarships.
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John
Adams Tucker, Florida, was awarded the National Leadership Award and has
a new position as honorary chairman for the Florida Business Advisory
Council, and is on the National Republican Congressional Committee.
Rich Angle,
Purdue, is district Governor for Rotary International for 2003-2004 for
District 6540, Northern Indiana. Rick’s wife Ann (pictured above) is the
former Exec. Director of Kappa Epsilon, Nat'l Pharmacy Honorary for women,
and holds multiple Panhellenic posts.
Richard LaCroix, Wisconsin - Madison, has joined the nutrition and
product management group for Kent Feeds as northern region dairy specialist.
Brose McVey, Purdue, has formed NEXPOINTE Strategies, LLC, a new
public relations, government relations and marketing firm. Their mission is
to serve their clients by getting them better connected -- to customers, to
capital, to the media, to donors and investors, to government
decision-makers and to strategic partners.
Jimmy
Voegeli, Wisconsin - Madison, is a member of the Madison, Wisconsin
based Westside Andy and the Mel Ford band. The band was recently presented a
W.A.M.I. (Wisconsin Area Music Industry) award for best Blues Band. They
also received a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Album for
their “Handyman” CD in 2003! More info at www.westsideandy.com. Jimmy also
works on the family dairy farm with his brother Brian.
Eric Wrede, Oklahoma State, has been employed by Baader, an 85
year-old German company, for the past eight years and recently moved to
Northwest Arkansas, covering Southern Missouri, Eastern Oklahoma and all of
Arkansas, promoting their line of Poultry processing equipment. His wife
Paige (Jackson) is an OSU graduate and former Rhomate. She is a Senior
Professional Representative for Merck Pharmaceuticals. They have two sons,
Logan (2) and Wyatt (3 mo.).
Steven C. Sing, Minnesota, has been promoted to General Manager for
Sidney Sugars Incorporated in October of 2002. Sidney Sugars Incorporated is
a subsidiary of American Crystal Sugar. It was formerly owned by Imperial
Holly Sugar.
Lewis Landsberg, Kansas State, is on the Blue Springs, Missouri city
planning commission and for ten years he has been president of Homeowners
Association. He is active in his church and teaching a bible class.
James F. Huffard III, Virginia Tech, is currently President of the
American Jersey Cattle Assoc. and is serving his second term.
Roy S. Rosedale, California - Davis, has worked with Campus Crusade
for Christ for 36 years as Missionary to Indonesia, Professor of Missions at
International School of Theology and Coordinator and founder of
International Consortium of nine seminaries in Africa, Asia, Middle East and
Latin America. He travels to teach and do consulting work at these graduate
schools every year. He has also directed conferences for Russian Public
School Teachers throughout Russia and Ukraine to learn about teaching a
curriculum on Christian values and ethics.
Sam Strahm, Kansas State, was named the 2002 AABP Bovine Practitioner
of the Year. He has held many industry positions including President AVMA,
1989-90; President, Oklahoma VMA, 1980-81; President, Tulsa County VMA;
President, American Association of Veterinary State Boards (20-year member);
Chairman, Oklahoma Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (23-year member.)
Dr. Strahm has also been a member of the Kansas VMA, Oklahoma Academy of
Veterinary Practice, AABP, Society for Theriogenology, Osage County
Cattlemen’s Association, Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association and the National
Cattlemen’s Beef Association.
Myron Stone, South Dakota State, is an ag instructor at Mitchell
Technical Institute. He has been named National Adviser or the Year.
Ben
Marks, Tennessee - Knoxville, graduated in May of 2002 with his MBA from
the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University. While
pursuing his MBA, Marks concentrated in Finance and Strategy. He is
currently employed by Gaylord Entertainment Co. in Nashville as Director of
Strategic Planning where he is responsible for feasibility studies on hotel
ventures, long-range planning and capital analysis. Marks’ experience prior
to Gaylord includes positions in management consulting with
PricewaterhouseCoopers and business development with Proctor & Gamble.
Ronald
G. Brohammer, Southern Illinois, after nearly 36 years in public service
(28 years in Air Force - retired in January of ‘95, Colonel) and over eight
years in municipal government he has retired and now is seeking a new career
in real estate sales.
James D. Fuqua, Auburn, was
married on June 14 to Leah Yarbrough.
Bill Swank, Ohio State, was awarded the Distinguished Service Award
for his commitment to agriculture. This is the highest honor AFBF awards.
Farm Bureau membership grew from 52,000 to 180,000 during Swank’s tenure.
Bill Swank served as President of the Ohio State Alumni Association and has
endowed a chair in Rural-Urban Policy. Governor Voinovich asked Swank to
chair the farmland preservation task force. He presently is serving on the
2004 Convention Committee for AGR.
Jeffrey A. Easterday, Ohio State, and partners formed a new law firm
in November 2002. They practice throughout Ohio with emphasis in
agricultural law, estate planning, estate and trust administration, real
estate, taxation, tax-free exchanges, environmental law and business law.
J. Austin Pugmire, Georgia, spent three successful years as a timber
buyer in North Georgia after graduating with his masters of Forest Resources
in 1998 from UGA. Now, he and his wife, Allison, live in Kennesaw and Austin
sells cars at his family’s 42-year-old dealership, Pugmire Lincoln-Mercury
of Marietta.
Frederick Addy, Michigan State, and his wife Marilyn Addy have been
very generous donors to MSU. In recognition of his wife Marilyn’s music
degree, they established the Marilyn Addy Endowment for Artistic Excellence
for the benefit of the Lyric Opera of Austin, TX.
Robert Rupp, Nebraska, was honored in April as “Volunteer of the
Year” by St. Croix area United Way. He will retire as editor of the
Farmer/Dakota Farmer for 20 years in January.
Robert Hurst, Purdue, is fourth generation on his farm and still
lives in the house where he was born. They have a dairy operation which they
started in 1953. Now they have about 230 head counting replacements.
Fred Ligon, Arkansas, is retired and has four sons, 11 grandchildren
and one great grandson. He enjoys gardening (vegetables and flowers) and
travels as much as possible.
Kye Hofman, Purdue, has three children: Justin (9), Jade (7) and Alex
(2). He also owns three Ponderosa Steakhouses.
Claude Harper Jr., Purdue, is 87 years old and has been dependent on
a wheel chair/electric cart for over 14 years. He worked for Beatrice for 36
years then on his own for nine more in improving and rebuilding all food
processing and keeping products in the USA. He also survived WWII at Omaha
Beach plus six other major battles.
Nelson E. Glenn, Nebraska, family’s business involving water well
drilling, irrigation and water systems is now operated by his son Rick and
he assists with work as needed.
Kenneth R. Marshall, New Hampshire, is retired and enjoying himself
dancing, traveling and growing Halloween pumpkins for fun and profit.
Jack C. Boles, Arkansas State, and wife Sherri are currently living
approximately four miles from the Buffalo River and spend their time
fishing, canoeing, raising animals and working.
Zed DeVaughan Jr., Oklahoma State, is happily retired, enjoying life,
doing a lot of volunteer work; but still golfing, traveling and having fun!
Ralph Denwood Welsh, Jr., Maryland, received the 40 year NASA service
award in March of 2002.
John Paul Eddy, Minnesota, was a guest of a South Korean government
official and visited South Korea. He saw the world’s largest churches and
universities to some of the agricultural government farms and forestry
units. Dr. Eddy has contributed to the writing of books published in
education in South Korea in 2003 and 2004.
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