A Word From Our Department Head...
Dr. Kevin Heinz
In College Station, the summer solstice begins on June 21 at 12:45 am CDT. As a major celestial event, the Summer Solstice results in the longest day and the shortest night of the year. Awed by the great power of the sun, civilizations have for centuries celebrated this event.
There is much to celebrate in the Department of Entomology as we transition from one academic year to the next and as we celebrate the many successes of our faculty, staff and students, as described below. The success of the Department depends on the many gifts from our supporters, for which we are forever grateful.
We welcome you to review our current efforts
(see http://insects.tamu.edu/giving/index.cfm)
to fund a number of excellence activities in teaching, research, and extension.
Summer is abuzz with research activity, as most faculty, research staff and graduate students dedicate their full attention to create and implement knowledge that improves lives. Additionally, we welcome eight exceptional undergraduate students selected from applicants from all over the United States to conduct research in faculty laboratories through our National Science Foundation funded Research Experience for Undergraduates. Continue to Discover Entomology as you enjoy your breadth of summer activities.
Hapes Receives Awards for Outstanding Advising, Gates Inspiration Award
Congratulations are in order for Senior Academic Advisor Ms. Rebecca Hapes, who recently received three awards this spring: the National Academic Advising Association's Region VII Outstanding Academic Advisor-Primary Role Award, Ed Guthrie Advisor Award and the Robert Gates Inspiration Award.
Hapes received the 2009 National Academic Advising Association’s Region VII Outstanding Academic Advisor-Primary Role Award, which is the highest honor given by the organization’s Region VII, which includes academic advisors from colleges and universities in Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. She was awarded the honor during a conference in April in New Orleans.(Read More)
Horace Burke Recognized For Lifetime Achievements
The Department of Entomology recently honored Professor Emeritus Dr. Horace Burke with its Lifetime Achievement Recognition.
Burke began his career with Entomology in 1954 as a research assistant with the Agricultural Experiment Station. He then advanced to the rank of professor in 1969 and then later served as an Associate Department Head.(Read More)
Audrey Bunting Retires After 34 Years with Texas AgriLife Research
Friends and family gathered for a small reception in the fourth floor atrium this spring to honor the retirement of Audrey Bunting.
Bunting, a research assistant for Dr. Robert Coulson in the Knowledge Engineering Laboratory (KEL), recently retired in January after working 34 years with the Department.
(Read more)
Spring Semester Rings In New Faculty, Staff Members
This spring, the Department and Texas AgriLife Extension Entomology welcomed new members into its growing roster of faculty members and key staff.
Dr. Ed Bynum joined the Department and Texas AgriLife Extension as an assistant professor and Extension entomologist in Amarillo in early January. Before he joined Amarillo, he was an Extension Agent-IPM in the Sweetwater area, serving Nolan, Mitchell, Scurry and Jones counties.(Read More)
Record Number of Students Graduate During May Commencement
The Department made history this May as the largest number of the Department's graduation history graduated during commencement.
A record total of 26 students, which consisted of 24 undergrads and 2 graduate students, joined more than 800 undergraduates and 57 graduates from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Students and their families were invited to hear former astronaut and retired Marine Corps Brigadier General Charles F. Bolden, Jr. (Ret. USMC) during a special Thursday evening convocation. (Read More)
Forensics Students Attend National Conference
Several of Jeff Tomberlin's FLIES Facility lab and forensic program students recently traveled to Denver to learn the latest trends in forensics in mid-February.
The American Academy of Forensic Sciences annual meeting gave these students a first-hand experience in the professional organization.
Undergraduate and graduate students presented research results examining ecological factors governing colonization and decomposition of human remains. (Read More)
Undergrads Receive Scholarships at Annual Awards Banquet
Students had a "banquet to remember" as the Department held its annual Undergraduate Recognition Banquet in the MSC on April 11.
Students from the Aggie Forensic Investigative Sciences Organization and Undergraduate Entomology Student Organization helped emcee the event's activities.
Brendan Morris, Tim O'Brien, Charity Owings, Cruz St. Peter , Rose Pauler and Natialie Martinez entertained the audience with a hilarious and entertaining skit called "Murder in The Mailroom". (Read More)
Ludwig Receives Friends of IPM Award, Extension Personnel Recognized at Annual Conference
Texas AgriLife Extension entomologist Dr. Scott Ludwig was honored with an award for outstanding work in integrated pest management.
Dr. Ludwig received the Friends of IPM Educator award, which was given to him by the Southern Region Integrated Pest Management Center at North Carolina State University.
The award recognizes successful outreach and educational programs that raise awareness and widen the use of integrated pest management practices, according to the award’s call for nominations.(Read More)