1

Campus News

Students Selected for New DVM Program By Kennedy Speirs

The new Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program in the College of Ag-

riculture, in partnership with Washington State University, accepted its first class of students starting fall 2012. Letters of acceptance were sent to 30 students to fill the slots for the first year. Each year, 30 more students will be added, resulting in 120 students enrolled in the program by 2015. Of the 30 students accepted each year, 20 must be Utah residents. This year, 43 students from Utah applied, and for the 10 non-resident slots, 800 students applied.

“We acknowledge the wisdom of Utah legislators in seeing the need to fund this program,” said Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sci-ences (ADVS) Department Head Ken White. “Overnight they quali-fied Utah students to become vets.” Most students will take four years to complete a bachelor’s degree and another four years to achieve a DVM degree. Through this program, students will fulfill their first two years of veterinary school at USU, and then transfer

to WSU for their final two years. Utah students will pay in-state tuition for all four years. “It’s a great opportunity for students here,” said Colton Thacker, a USU stu-dent who has received a letter of accep-tance from the school. “It has allowed us to get a DVM for half the price we would pay to go anywhere else. I thinkit will benefit the state as well.” White said the partnership with USU and WSU will benefit students from Utah, Washington and Idaho. “It increases accessibility of veteri-nary schools and makes it much more affordable,” he said. “There are only 28 veterinary schools in the nation and this is adding 30 more chairs to that list.” The DVM program is in the School of Veterinary Medicine in the Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences Department. The ADVS department hired a new anatomy and neuroscience teacher for the school. Searches are currently open for two new faculty members and an additional two will be hired to meet the teaching needs of the school. An estimated 10 –15 faculty members in the ADVS department will expand their current teaching and research assign-ments to be a part of the new school. For more information about the DVM program visit vetmed.usu.edu.

College of

Spring 2012

AlumniAgricultureNewsletter

Colton Thacker will be part of the first class of the School of Veterinary Medicine at USU. Students who have been accepted to the schoolwill officially start classes this fall.

A r t i c l e s w r i t t e n b y U S U A g r i c u l t u r a l C o m m u n i c a t i o n S t u d e n t s

2

Utah State University opened the doors of the new Agricultural Sciences Building

on Feb. 29, 2012. In a ribbon cutting ceremo-ny open to the public, hundreds gathered to listen to speakers, tour the new facility and enjoy a new flavor of Aggie Ice Cream made especially for the occasion. As students, faculty and guests filed into the building, some had to make their way to the second or third floors to watch the cere-mony. Dean of the College of Agriculture and Vice President of Agriculture and Extension Noelle Cockett opened the ceremony with remarks about the planning and construction of the building. The process began in 2004 when there was talk about renovating the E.G. Peterson Agricultural Sciences Building, which was built in 1953. After realizing how difficult it

would be to renovate the old building to meet today’s construction standards, the university and college jumped at the idea of constructing an entirely new building. In May 2010, the university broke ground on the east side of the Quad where the former library once stood. When designing and constructing the building, it was important to include nature by using limestone, bamboo, resin windows containing Utah plants and a fall color scheme for the carpet and paint. “The impact of this building extends far beyond the people who will move in here over the next several weeks,” Cock-ett said. “It will provide inspiration for all who pass through its space and create new memories.”

Leonard Blackham, Utah Commis-sioner of Agriculture, remarked on the great advances in agriculture because of institutions like USU. The population of the world is steadily growing and without advances in agricultural technology, it would be impossible to feed everyone. “If we did it like we did in 1800, it wouldn’t work,” said Blackham. ”If we did it like we did in 1900, it wouldn’t work. If we did it like we did in 1950, it wouldn’t work. Blessings from institutions like Utah State University allow us to produce enough that it works.” USU President Stan Albrecht explained the legislative history of the building. When USU first approached the Utah State Legislature for funding to construct the new building, the legislature agreed

Agricultural Sciences Building Opens its Doors By Morgan Blackhurst

3

Land Grant Traditions

to the funding but would not release the state funds until USU received federal funding. The new building would not have been possible without the Utah State Legislature’s backing. Albrecht also talked about the new School of Veterinary Medicine, which will open the fall of 2012. It is USU’s first pro-fessional school. Albrecht emphasized that the new building will allow the university’s strong programs to continue to grow and become even stronger. He finished his remarks with a quote from the book “My Reading Life” by Pat Conroy. “Everything of virtue springs from the soil. Civilization always comes along to ruin it. But you can always find the truth if it comes from the earth,” it stated.

Leonard Blackham, Utah Commis-sioner of Agriculture, remarked on the great advances in agriculture because of institutions like USU. The population of the world is steadily growing and without advances in agricultural technology, it would be impossible to feed everyone. “If we did it like we did in 1800, it wouldn’t work,” said Blackham. ”If we did it like we did in 1900, it wouldn’t work. If we did it like we did in 1950, it wouldn’t work. Blessings from institutions like Utah State University allow us to produce enough that it works.” USU President Stan Albrecht explained the legislative history of the building. When USU first approached the Utah State Legislature for funding to construct the new building, the legislature agreed

The $43.1 million building will be the new home to the departments of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences; Plants, Soils and Climate; Applied Economics; and Journalism and Communication. It will also hold the offices for USU Exten-sion and Utah Agricultural Experiment Station. Besides offices, the building contains high-tech teaching and research laboratories, computer labs, classrooms, study rooms and the Luke Family Café on the Quad. In order to conform to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards, the building has solar panels on the south side to provide shade and produce energy. The plaza contains the College of Agriculture Memorial, honoring the victims of the tragic 2005 van crash

and their families. Both the dean and president emphasized that the plaza and memorial are a place of reflection. The new building marks the start of a new chapter for agriculture at USU, and comes 150 years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Morrill Act, which established land grant insti-tutions such as USU.

Agricultural Sciences Building Opens its Doors By Morgan Blackhurst

Clockwise from the top left: View of the Agricultural Sciences Building and USU’s historic Quad; Utah Commissioner of Agriculture and Food Leonard Blackham, President Stan Albrecht and Dean Noelle Cockett cutting the ribbon; The Agriculture Memorial; view of the Agricultural Sciences Building; Dean Cockett and President Albrecht at the building’s opening celebration; a design detail in the building; President Albrecht speaking at the ribbon cutting ceremony; view of the Agricultural Sciences Building atrium.

4

College News

With programs such as Landscape Architecture and Environmental

Planning, and Family and Consumer Sciences Education, the College of Agri-culture already encompasses more than cows, sows and plows. As of January 7, 2012, the College of Agriculture expanded once again, becoming home to two more programs in the new School of Applied Sciences, Technology and Education (ASTE). Technology and Engineering Education (TEE) and Aviation Technology moved from the Engineering and Technology Education Department in the College of Engineering to the College of Agriculture due to an ad-ministrative restructure approved by Utah State University’s Board of Trustees. “This restructuring brings a wonderful group of faculty, staff and students into ASTE,” said Noelle Cockett, dean of the College of Agriculture. “I’m absolutely thrilled with the expanded degree offer-ings now available in the school. I antici-pate great things happening with all the

synergies that will be created.” The TEE program offers bachelor and master degrees for college students preparing to teach technology and engi-neering at the middle and high school levels. The curriculum used is project based and hands on, and their career placement is 100 percent. Aviation Technology offers programs for students studying to become profes-sional pilots and in maintenance man-agement. Students pursuing degrees in these areas have access to a fleet of 16 aircraft, a jet simulator and a cockpit flight simulator. Larry Hemingway, acting aviation director, said he is excited for the change. “It’s a better fit for us,” Hemingway said. “Flying is an applied science, so now we’re right where we should be.” Hemingway said moving to the College of Agriculture feels like being “born again,” and that the ASTE faculty have been phenomenally supportive. Bruce Miller, head of ASTE said he

is excited about the addition of the new programs. The school will now house the three primary categories of technical teaching education, agriculture, family and consumer sciences and technology and engineering. Aviation technology is also a good fit because the technology base is very similar to the school’s agri-cultural machinery program. “It’s great that the coming programs mesh well with the existing, since we all focus on hands-on, experiential learning,” Miller said. Students will have even more oppor-tunity for hands-on learning outside the classroom through club activities. The two new programs bring four new clubs with them: Design Academy (robotics), the Society of Aviation Maintenance Professionals, the USU Pilot Club and the Technology and Engineering Educa-tion Club. With the addition of these clubs, students in ASTE will have 10 opportunities for networking and professional development.

School of Applied Sciences, Technology and Education Expands By Rachel Kenley

Clockwise from top: An Engineering Education student works on a robot with a middle school robotics team; aviation students showcase their program at USU’s annual Day on the Quad; one of the official USU planes at the Logan Airport.

5

is excited about the addition of the new programs. The school will now house the three primary categories of technical teaching education, agriculture, family and consumer sciences and technology and engineering. Aviation technology is also a good fit because the technology base is very similar to the school’s agri-cultural machinery program. “It’s great that the coming programs mesh well with the existing, since we all focus on hands-on, experiential learning,” Miller said. Students will have even more oppor-tunity for hands-on learning outside the classroom through club activities. The two new programs bring four new clubs with them: Design Academy (robotics), the Society of Aviation Maintenance Professionals, the USU Pilot Club and the Technology and Engineering Educa-tion Club. With the addition of these clubs, students in ASTE will have 10 opportunities for networking and professional development.

Awards and Honors

Robert A. Nielson of Fillmore, Utah, is the 2011 College of Agriculture Hall of

Honor Award recipient. A 1952 Utah State University graduate, he was a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Fraternity. After graduation, he taught at Millard High School and held a full time voca-tional agriculture teaching position for 35 years before retiring in 1987. Nielson’s love for teaching continued even after his retirement. For the last 20 years, he has taught GED classes at the Millard County Jail and Millard High School. Nielson has organized and been a member of several FFA committees and served as president of the Utah Voca-tional Agriculture Teachers Association. Because of his love for teaching, Nielson has also held a cooperative teaching posi-tion for student teachers from USU. Nielson has served not only as an educator but as a leader in both his com-munity and church, including serving as mayor and city council member for the city of Fillmore. His prestigious honors and awards include Outstanding Educa-tor, Teacher of the Year, 1974 Outstanding Secondary Educator of America,1978 Utah Teacher of the Year, 1983 Utah Voca-tional Teacher of the Year and the Mayor’s Award in Humanities in 2006 for com-mitment to education of both children and adults in Fillmore. Nielson is the first vocational agriculture educator to receive the award. His nomination stood out among approximately 50 nominees. The Utah State University College of Agriculture Hall of Honor Award was created in 1999 to recognize alumni who have brought honor and recog-nition to themselves and the college. Each year alumni are nominated to receive the award. Nominees must have a degree from USU College of Agriculture, have made a significant contribution to his/her profes-sion or society in general, have a record of outstanding accomplishments and no fewer than 25 years of employed service at their time of nomination. The selection committee is comprised of the College of Agriculture Alumni

Council, the dean and associate dean of the college and the College Alumni Association executive director.

If you are interested in nominating someone for the Hall of Honor, online applications are available at ag.usu.edu/hallofhonor. Nominations will also be accepted by mail. Nominations have a three-year span, after which nominees will need to reapply.

Robert Nielson Receives Hall of Honor AwardBy Paige Morgan

Clockwise from top: An Engineering Education student works on a robot with a middle school robotics team; aviation students showcase their program at USU’s annual Day on the Quad; one of the official USU planes at the Logan Airport.

Robert Nielson was named the College of Agriculture Alumni Hall of HonorAward Recipient for his commitment to Utah agricultural education. Top to

bottom: Nielson teaching students outdoors; Nielson pictured with his family at the 2011 College of Agriculture Awards and Honors Banquet; portrait of Nielson.

6

Campus News

Utah State University’s College of Ag-riculture has experienced exponential

growth over the past few years. The unusual increase in enrollment started in 2009 when the college consisted of 1,022 undergraduates and 125 gradu-ate students. By 2011, the college had reached 1,514 undergraduates and 234 graduate students. Janet Anderson, associate dean of the College of Agriculture, attributes the in-crease to a variety of sources. Anderson

Utah Governor Gary Herbert presented Bruce Bugbee the prestigious Gov-

ernor’s Medal for his work with NASA on food production in space. Bugbee is a

said she believes the unstable economy is one reason for the increase; when the economy is bad, people often turn to basics. She also credits a change in the college’s recruiting style for some of the increase in enrollment. “The agricultural ambassadors are a major part of the recruiting process; in recent years the college has selected ambassadors from a wider variety of backgrounds,” she said. “The college has also expanded the types of high school classrooms ambassadors visit. The ambassadors are now as equally focused on recruiting in advanced placement and science classrooms as they are in agricultural classrooms.” Anderson recognizes great leadership as another reason behind the increased enrollment. In 2009, the Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning (LAEP) Department joined the College of Agriculture. On Jan. 7, 2012, Utah State’s Board of Trustees voted in favor of the Aviation Technology and Technology and

professor in the Plants, Soils and Climate Department in the College of Agriculture. Over a 30-year career at USU, Bugbee has mentored 32 graduate students, taught more than 1,000 undergraduate students and is internationally known for his work with NASA on food production in space. He is now collaborating with Byard Wood and other colleagues in the colleges of science and engineering on algal biofuels. In 1996, Bugbee founded Apogee Instruments, a company that develops innovative sensors for measur-ing climate change, sustainable food pro-duction and renewable energy. Apogee currently employees 16 people, most of whom are graduates of USU. Keith Christenson, assistant pro-fessor in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning, helped solidify a $600,000 grant for disability research.

Engineering Education programs finding new homes in the college. Anderson said that with strong leadership and solid academic programs within the college, it does not surprise her that programs are interested in joining. Some challenges come with expand-ing the college. These include larger class sizes and, in some majors such as Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences (ADVS), this means adding more sec-tions of some classes. Part of the rapid growth in ADVS can be explained by the new School of Veterinary Medicine. Utah State University and Washington State University have joined to create what is now the only veterinary school in Utah. Anderson and other members of the college are ecstatic about the expansion. “Although finding new ways to edu-cate larger numbers of students can be challenging, the College of Agriculture is a solid academic college, fully capable of adjusting to fit the needs of all its students,” she said.

The project has been 10 years in the making and involves the College of Agriculture, College of Engineering, Jon M. Huntsman School of Business and three of the university’s research centers — the Center for Persons with Disabilities, Center for Self-Organizing and Intelligent Systems and the Utah Transportation Center. A recent graduate of the College of Agriculture, Mark Rowley, received the U.P. Hedrick Award; one of the highest honors in the field of pomology (the study of stone fruit trees). Part of Rowley’s thesis, entitled “Alternative Alleyways for Tart Cherry Orchards,” received the award from the American Pomological Society. The award was presented at the American Society for Horticultural Scientists annual confer-ence in Waikoloa Village, Hawaii.

College Enrollment Growth ContinuesBy Dawn Otterby

Faculty and Alumni Research RecognizedBy Skyler Di Stefano

Honoring the Aggies

USU researchers Bruce Bugbee (right)and Byard Wood received the Governor’s

Medal for Science and TechnologyJan. 10, awarded by Gov. Gary Herbert.

A College of Ag graduate and parentcelebrate at the 2011 commencement.

7

College Enrollment Growth ContinuesBy Dawn Otterby

Faculty and Alumni Research RecognizedBy Skyler Di Stefano

2011 – 2012

Utah State UniversityCollege of Agriculture

Year in Review

8

Bringing Aggies Together

4800 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322 – 4800

Utah State University is an affirmative action /equal opportunity employer. action/equal opportunity employer

Newsletter prepared by: USU Agricultural Communication Club, acc@aggiemail.usu.edu

What brings the community together, provides scholarship

assistance, involves delicious local food and is an overall splendid time? Answer: The Utah Agricultural Products Barbe-cue. On Sept. 29, 2012, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., the College of Agriculture will host its annual barbecue on the practice field, located just west of the Stan Laub Training Center (approximately 1350 North and 1100 East, Logan). Proceeds from this event provide scholarship funds to students in the College of Agriculture. Since 2000, this event has provided $83,000 in scholar-ships to 81 students. The centerpiece of the barbecue is a meal of Utah-pro-duced food and other agricultural prod-ucts such as beef, pork, lamb, turkey, ice cream, cheese, corn, apples, pep-pers, tomatoes, milk, onion rings, potato chips, green salad and flower bulbs.

Commodity groups, food processors and other agriculture related companies make financial contributions and donate the food and hundreds of volunteer hours that make the barbecue a success. “It is a lot of work and a lot of fun,” said Lisa Allen committee co-chair. “We could not do it without the support of all the sponsors and volunteers. The food is always delicious and it’s a great event where people bring their families, meet old friends and enjoy being on campus. We’re glad that it’s become a tradition for many people and we look forward to see-ing them every year.” Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for kids for unlimited visits to the food booths. This year’s barbecue will be held prior to the USU homecoming football game against UNLV.

Mark Your Calendar for the Utah Agricultural Products Barbecue By McCarty Hatfield

Guests enjoying delicious flavors of the 2011 Utah Agricultural Products Barbecue.