Newsletter 2003
Animal Sciences
Newsletter 2003
Mark Russell Receives Charles B. Murphy Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award
Mark A. Russell was one of six faculty members to receive the 2002 Charles B. Murphy Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award. The $5,000 award is the university's highest undergraduate teaching honor. A faculty member since 1982, Russell has been involved in the education of more than 5,000 students either as a teacher or as an adviser. During his tenure, Russell has revised three courses, developed 10 courses and proposed two more. He has been the instructor of 12 different courses and has played a significant role in two major departmental reviews that have resulted in improvements of the overall curriculum. Mark was instrumental in enhancing the Animal Sciences 81 series-181 Freshmen Orientation, 281 Career Planning, 381 Leadership and 481 Senior seminar. He has also provided leadership and direction for the Animal Sciences ambassadors for several years. Russell also assists with the leadership and instruction for CHAPS (therapeutic horseback riding program).
Alan Sutton Wins Hovde Award of Excellence
Alan Sutton received the Hovde Award of Excellence along with Don Jones, Ag and Biological Engineering. Alan and Don have assisted the Indiana Pork Producers Association’s Environmental Assurance Program, the Indiana Beef Cattle Association Environmental Committee, and NRCS Waste Management Committee. They have also served on the Indiana Department of Environmental Management's Confined Feeding Task Force which has been involved in fashioning Indiana’s last two guidance and rules governing how producers store, handle and apply manure and the Office of the Commissioner of Agriculture’s "Team Ag" Work Group.
Alan and Don have worked together effectively for over 30 years in helping Indiana and U.S. farmers apply environmentally-sound animal agricultural practices. Their research has provided scientific data on which to base nutrient management plans and public policy related to environmental management on livestock and poultry enterprises. Their team-taught course "Farmstead Planning and the Environment" addresses nutrient management, storage, disposal, and budgeting methods. Their extension programs have educated and trained farmers, citizen groups, educators, and regulators on comprehensive nutrient management plans and regulations.
David Gerrard Named University Faculty Scholar
|
Dave Gerrard was named a University Faculty Scholar in 2002. The University Faculty Scholars Program was developed at Purdue in 1998 to recognize outstanding faculty colleagues who are on an accelerated path for academic distinction. The term of the Scholar appointment is five years. Dave is a professor in the muscle and meats program. |
 |
Distinguished Ag Alumnus
Dr. Chuck Dietzen, B.S. Animal Sciences, 1983, was one of the 2002 Distinguished Agriculture Alumni. Chuck received his M.D. from Indiana University. Growing up in Kokomo, Indiana, his family cared for more than 150 foster children. Chuck learned early about compassion and living with zest. It led him to become a physician. It has taken him to the top of Mount Shasta, on an Arctic dog sled trip, and to professional wrestling rings as Dr. Doom. He’s since rolled those into a single passion: a life of adventure and caring. Last June it took Dr. Chuck, as his pediatric patients call him, to a houseboat on the Amazon where he provided medical care during his travels. July found him in Ecuador. In addition, these were after his March medical missions to Honduras and Haiti.
He travels to six or seven countries annually as part of the nonprofit Timmy Foundation (http://www.timmyfoundation.org) which he founded in 1994 and named for a brother who died as an infant. The foundation provides for children’s needs around the world by serving as a clearinghouse for volunteers, medicine, food, educational resources, clothing, and other supplies. "We organize trips. We help volunteers find their mission," Dietzen says. "I tell people we weren't all born to be doctors, nurses, and therapists, but we were all born to be healers."
Stateside, he is equally committed to youngsters, in his medical work and his service as medical director at CHAMP Camp for medically fragile children. There he challenges the "fragile" label by engaging children in vigorous outdoor activities. "I take kids with disabilities and give them arenas to display their abilities."
His inspiration, he says, are the children themselves, whom Dietzen regards as heroes. "They are so incredibly wise. Medical school gave me knowledge. My patients make me wise."
With regard to his experience at Purdue, Dietzen says, "I found mentors for life at Purdue. The Ag faculty were good men and women - great role models - and they happened to also be good instructors. From them, I found more than knowledge, I found out how I wanted to live my life." Chuck Dietzen is very deserving to be named a Distinguished Ag Alumnus.
Roger Hunsley Selected to the Indiana Livestock Breeders Association Hall of Fame
Dr. Roger Hunsley, of Omaha, Nebraska, was a Professor of Animal Sciences and taught at Purdue from 1967-1983. He also coached the livestock judging team for 16 years and led teams to national championships in 1971, 1973 and 1978.
Hunsley was the outstanding teacher in Animal Sciences at Purdue in 1973, 1975 and 1978. He received the Outstanding Teaching Award in 1972 from the Midwest section of the American Society of Animal Sciences.
Hunsley has been the executive secretary of the American Shorthorn Association for 19 years, the longest continuously serving secretary in Shorthorn breed history. Some of his responsibilities include overseeing the association and helping decide what direction the breed will take.
The Indiana Livestock Breeders Association (ILBA) was formed in 1960 and is open to all types of livestock producers. Induction into the ILBA Hall of Fame is the highest award in the association. Hunsley entered the Hall of Fame as an educator and builder of the industry.
First Animal Sciences Alumni Recognition goes to Jeff Luckman
The Animal Sciences Distinguished Alumni Award was designed to recognize the achievements of graduates from the Animal Sciences program at Purdue University. It also gives current students an opportunity to view pathways to success taken by individuals who completed the same rigorous classes they deal with day in and day out.
Jeffery M. Luckman was selected as the first recipient of the newly established Animal Sciences Distinguished Alumni Award. Luckman, who was born in New York and grew up in the meat business, received his Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Sciences in 1976. His scholarly achievements were recognized by membership in CERES Agricultural Honorary Society. He set out on his career path by signing on with Dekalb Swine Breeders, Inc. in Research, Production and Sales. In 1983 he became Director of Livestock Procurement for Kahn’s in Cincinnati, a subsidiary of Sara Lee Foods. He advanced to his first Vice Presidential position in 1988 at John Morrell & Company, then a subsidiary of Chiquita Brands, Inc. He was responsible for both Livestock Procurement, Sales and Marketing of Fresh Pork.
When Smithfield Foods, Inc. of Smithfield, Virginia acquired John Morrell & Company in 1993, Jeff’s responsibilities broadened. Within a few short years, Smithfield Foods has become what is now the world’s largest food processor and hog producer. As Vice President for Procurement, Jeff is responsible for three domestic subsidiaries: Smithfield Packing, Gwaltney, and John Morrell and three foreign subsidiaries: Schneider’s in Winnipeg and Saskatchewan, Canada, Animex in Poland, and Norson in Mexico.
Jeffery M. Luckman is an avid supporter of Purdue University and in 1999 established the Luckman Animal Science Scholarship fund for incoming freshmen and sophomores who demonstrate leadership potential in the animal industry. During the recent Purdue Spring Break, Jeff provided the opportunity for 24 Purdue animal sciences students to see the inner workings of the world’s largest pork processing plant in Tar Heel, North Carolina. He personally cleared his calendar for the day, and flew from his office in Virginia to meet with the students and give them an overview of the corporate world, and answer their questions.
Jeff Luckman’s exemplary career in the animal science industry, his passion to help students succeed in the animal industry and his service to the Department of Animal Sciences, and to the industry we serve, make him a truly Distinguished Animal Sciences Alum.
To nominate someone for the Animal Sciences Distinguished Alumni Award, please contact Mark Russell at mrussell@purdue.edu or Barry Delks at delks@purdue.edu.