Animal Sciences
Newsletter 2006

Alumni and Friends Update

Distinguished Animal Science Alumni

Distinguished Alumni Hobart Jones, Barbara Lintzenich, Mauri Williamson, Angela Siemens, Robert Peterson, and Terry Fleck at the Animal Sciences Distinguished Alumni Ceremony.

The Department of Animal Sciences presented the 2005 Distinguished Animal Sciences Alumni Awards to six individuals on October 14. Recipients were honored in three categories.

LIFETIME CAREER AWARD

Hobart W. Jones received his bachelor’s degree in 1943 in animal sciences, later earning a master's from Ohio State University and a doctorate from the University of Kentucky. He was a professor at Purdue for 38 years, instructing about 5,000 students before he retired in 1988. This past May, National Hog Farmer magazine honored him as one of 50 people who have had the greatest impact on the pork industry. Jones received 10 teaching and counseling awards, in 1980 was named the Outstanding Teacher in the College of Agriculture, and was honored by Purdue with the Hovde Award in 1973 for service to rural people of Indiana. Jones currently resides in West Lafayette, Ind.

Robert C. Peterson received his master of science in 1954 and that same year was hired by Purdue as the beef research leader at the Southern Indiana Forage Farm where he served for 11 years. In 1965, Peterson accepted the position of assistant superintendent at the Lynnwood Farm in Hamilton County, managing the Bull Test Station. Peterson was superintendent of the station from 1967 until he retired in 1989. He has held offices in various beef producer organizations, is a member of the Indiana Livestock Breeders Hall of Fame, and has received numerous awards, including Indiana Outstanding Cattleman; Lifetime Achievement Award, Indiana Beef Cattlemen's Association; Meritorious Service Award, Indiana Pork Producers; and the Oren Wright Outstanding Service to the Indiana Sheep Association Award. He currently resides in Sheridan, Ind.

Maurice L. (Mauri) Williamson earned his bachelor of science in 1950 and was the executive secretary of the Purdue Agricultural Alumni Association from 1953 to 1990. During his tenure, the association grew to a position of national prominence and became the model for all other alumni groups. With his leadership, the National Agricultural Alumni Development Association was founded to provide education and support for professionals, volunteers and student leaders. Williamson was selected as an Honorary Lieutenant Governor in 1983, and was chosen an Honorary Master Farmer in 1985 by Prairie Farmer magazine. He received the Certificate of Distinction from the Ag Alumni Association in 1990 and that same year was chosen Honorary Commissioner of Agriculture and named an Honorary Lieutenant Colonel by the Indiana State Police. Williamson currently resides in West Lafayette, Ind.

MID-CAREER AWARD

Terrence M. (Terry) Fleck earned his bachelor of science in 1975 and has worked as executive vice president of the Indiana Pork Producers Association and the Indiana Pork Advocacy Coalition for more than 15 years. He has increased corporate and grant support for the organization and has broadened the grass roots organization to include associated industries and a successful public affairs advocacy platform. He is a member of the American and Indiana Societies of Association Executives and is a board member for the Indiana Livestock Alliance and the International Association of Grace Ministries. In 1983, Fleck became technical coordinator of the US Feed Grains Council in Washington, DC, and later served as regional director for the US Feed Grains Council in Vienna, Austria. Fleck resides in Carmel, Ind.

Angela L. Siemens earned her bachelor of science in 1983 and went on to receive a master's and doctorate from the University of Missouri. She previously was a food technologist at Beatrice Foods and a process technologist with Oscar Mayer Foods. Siemens is currently vice president of quality assurance for Smithfield Foods, and is responsible for management of all food safety programs in the $2.7 billion pork and meat processing company. Her honors include the Paul D. May Award for Service from the World Beef Expo and the Friends of the Cattlemen Award from the Wisconsin Cattlemen's Association in 2000. In 1999, she was recognized as the Meat Processing Magazine Rising Star, and in 1996 and 1998, she received the Above and Beyond the Call of Duty Award from Kraft Foods. Siemens currently resides in Smithfield, Va.

EARLY CAREER AWARD

Barbara A. Lintzenich earned her bachelor of science in 1991 and later her master's degree from Kansas State. She is the animal nutrition manager at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens, and her responsibilities include developing, implementing, and supervising all aspects of the zoo animal nutrition program. Lintzenich manages the commissary, food safety, quality control, diet formulations, and assessment of animal health. She is also responsible for educating zoo staff, volunteers, and visitors, and works closely with animal management, animal keepers, researchers, and veterinarian staff. Lintzenich is a member of the Comparative Nutrition Society and the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA), and serves as chair of the Nutrition Advisory group for AZA. Lintzenich resides in Cincinnati, Ohio.

College of Agriculture Distinguished Alumni

Tom Bechman

Mark Legan

Jeffrey Luckman

The Purdue University College of Agriculture welcomed eight new recipients of its Distinguished Agricultural Alumni Award during a campus ceremony on April 1, 2005; three of the recipients were Animal Science alums.

The award honors mid-career graduates of the College of Agriculture who have made significant contributions to their profession or society in general and have a record of outstanding accomplishments. There have been 125 recipients of this award. This year's distinguished alumni include Animal Science graduates:

Since 1981, Tom Bechman, Franklin, Ind., has been associated with Indiana Prairie Farmer magazine, most recently serving as editor. He earned a bachelor's degree in animal sciences and agricultural education in 1975 and a master's degree in agriculture in 1977.

Mark Legan, Coatsville, Ind., and his wife operate Legan Livestock & Grain, encompassing 1,000 acres of cropland and 700 sows that produce about 15,000 pigs a year. He earned his bachelor's degree in animal sciences in 1982 and his master's degree in extension education in 1987.

"I agree with Abraham Lincoln's view of agriculture as a 'profitable and agreeable combination of labor and thought.' Farming gives me the opportunity for physical as well as mental work," said Legan.

Since 1993, Jeffrey Luckman, Newport News, Va., has been vice president for livestock procurement with Smithfield Foods Inc., the world's largest food processor and hog producer. He earned his bachelor's degree in animal sciences in 1976.

"The education and knowledge Purdue provided has enabled me to make lasting contributions in business — nationally, internationally and in my community. I hope to give back to Purdue as much as the university gave me," said Luckman.

Hatfield Receives Honorary Doctorate

Joe Hatfield (BS '58), Baldwin, Ga., received an Honorary Doctorate from the Purdue College of Agriculture in May 2005. He has distinguished himself in animal science and food science as the chairman and chief executive officer of Fieldale Farms Corp., one of the world’s largest integrated poultry producers. His corporation feeds 27 million birds daily, producing more than 800 million pounds of chicken annually. Hatfield has been president of the Georgia Poultry Processors Association and the National Broiler Marketing Association and currently is the president of the National Chicken Council.

Indiana Livestock Breeders Association Hall of Fame

John Fox, Joseph Pearson, and Duane Sickels were inducted into the Indiana Livestock Breeders Association Hall of Fame in 2005. John Fox, Shelbyville, Ind., started his involvement with the purebred swine industry in 1936. Fox has been a tremendous leader and promoter of the purebred swine industry with the drive and tenacity to carry ideas out. When he served on the Indiana State Fair Board, he conceived the progressive idea of having sales following the purebred swine shows. Joe Pearson, Hartford City, Ind., has served the livestock industry in an exemplary manner. As Assistant Commissioner of Agriculture for the State of Indiana for nearly 10 years, Pearson has been an effective administrator and diligent leader that valued all agricultural species and their contribution to Indiana commerce. He has served the livestock industries as the direct line of communications to the Governor's Office and the state legislators, with the betterment of the industry at heart. Duane Sickels, Winchester, Ind., started his Suffolk sheep flock as a 4-H project. In 1970, he expanded his flock through his own replacements and purchases from breeders in Indiana and Tennessee. Teaching youth through livestock is a passion of Duane's. When serving on the National Suffolk Association Board, he worked to establish the National Junior Suffolk Association. He has served as an official at state and National contests and has judged many shows across the eastern half of the United States. Duane has established the Sickels Lamb Camp to help youth with their showing abilities.

Left to Right: Matt Claeys, Joe Pearson, John Fox, Duane Sickels, and Bob Benson after the ILBA Hall of Fame recognition.

Alumni Update

Friends and Alumni Take Similar Paths

Purdue Animal Sciences
Young Alumni and Family Reunion

1995-2005 Graduates

on April 8th at the Boiler Barnyard
from 4 pm - 6 pm

Enjoy the campus-wide fun activities for children from 9 am - 4 pm
Bring the family for a free picnic from 4 -6 pm

Advance reservations are required for the reunion.
RSVP by March 24 to Barry Delks at delks@purdue.edu or 765-496-7234
http://www.ces.purdue.edu/sfest/

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