Animal Sciences Newsletter 2009

The Distinguished Animal Sciences Alumni Award honors lifetime, mid-career and early career Purdue Animal Science graduates who have demonstrated excellence in the animal science industry, academia or governmental service. Six Animal Sciences alumni were recognized by the Department of Animal Sciences on October 26, 2007.

Bob Cherry, of Greenfield, Indiana, earned his bachelor's degree from Purdue in 1969. Upon graduation, Cherry was a vocational-agriculture teacher and then was a consultant in vocational education at the Indiana Department of Education. In 1976, Cherry started out as assistant county manager and by 1988 he became vice president of credit and marketing with Farm Credit Services. He is a member of the Elks, Kiwanis Club, Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite, Murat Shrine and Farm Bureau. Cherry has received numerous "Legislator of the Year" awards from various organizations, including credit unions, small business and conservation officers. Cherry is currently State Representative for House District 53 since 1998 and the Director of Local Government Relations for Indiana Farm Bureau.

Martin Stob, of West Lafayette, Indiana, received his bachelor's degree in 1949, his master's degree in 1951 and his doctorate degree in 1953 studying animal sciences at Purdue. He has dedicated his life to the education of animal science students and individuals in the livestock industry. For approximately 40 years, he taught the course "Animal Reproductive Physiology" at Purdue and has influenced the lives of approximately 4,000 students. A large number of those students have been and are now successful and influential livestock breeders. Stob was named "Outstanding Teacher in the School of Agriculture" in 1964, 1966, 1969 and 1970 and "Outstanding Counselor in the School of Agriculture" in 1977. He was named to "Iron Key" as a Purdue teaching faculty in 1972. In 2006, Stob was selected to the Indiana Livestock Breeders Association Hall of Fame. Stob is professor emeritus from Purdue.

Robert Totusek, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, earned his master's in 1950 and doctorate degree in 1952 in animal nutrition from Purdue. Upon completion of graduate studies, he accepted a faculty position at Oklahoma State University and advanced through the academic ranks to professor of animal science and was head of the Animal Science Department at OSU. His research interests span a wide range of topics related to nutrition and management of beef cattle. Totusek served as OSU livestock judging team coach from 1953 to 1961. During this period his teams compiled a record of 11 first, 7 second and 4 third place teams at major national livestock judging contests. Nationally, Totusek was recognized as an outstanding beef cattle judge. Totusek has received awards and recognition as an outstanding teacher by Alpha Zeta, Blue Key and the OSU Alumni Association. He is an author or co-author of 21 journal papers and over 100 Feeders Day and popular articles. Totusek is professor emeritus from Oklahoma State University.

Christopher Knight, of St. Louis, Missouri, earned his master's degree in 1977 and went on to complete his doctorate degree in 1981 in monogastric nutrition at Purdue. In 1981, Knight joined Monsanto Company in the area of methionine nutrition and metabolism and later began development, regulatory and nutrition research efforts in the area of somatotropin applications for swine. In 1991 he became the Manager and Director of Nutrition Research at Novus International, Inc. and led the evaluation, development and commercialization of several new business projects. He went on to receive the St. Louis Technology Award in 2003 for economic impact and innovation. Knight serves the St. Peters Episcopal Church, as a youth sponsor, Sunday school teacher, and on the education commission. Knight is currently serving as Department Head of Research and Development for Novus International, St. Louis, Missouri.

Jerry Malayer, of Stillwater, Oklahoma, received his bachelor's degree in 1979 and master's degree in 1986 studying animal sciences from Purdue. Malayer is a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Society for the Study of Reproduction, and Phi Zeta, the honor society of veterinary medicine. He currently serves on the Editorial Board for Domestic Animal Endocrinology, the Advisory Review Board for Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology, and has been a scientific reviewer for numerous professional journals and funding agencies including the National Science Foundation, Department of Homeland Security, and the U. S. Department of Agriculture. In 2006, Malayer was selected for the American Council on Education Fellows Program, a national higher education leadership development program. Malayer is the associate dean for research and graduate education in the Center for Veterinary Health Sciences at Oklahoma State University.

Scott Thompson, of Sheridan, Indiana, completed his bachelor's degree in 1993 and his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2000 from Purdue. He currently serves as President of the Indiana Equine Practitioners Association, and is a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, Indiana Veterinary Medical Association, and the Veterinary Management Study Group VII. Thompson is on the Hamilton County Board of Health, and contributes to the local community through public speaking opportunities and hosting client education events at Janssen Veterinary Clinic. He has been invited to speak at the Indiana Horsemen's Conference, the Hoosier Horse Fair, Trail Riders Association Conference and Purdue Equine Reproduction Workshop. Thompson has been recognized for his exemplary work by receiving the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association Excellence in Continuing Education Award, the Superior Proficiency in Large Animal Medicine Surgery Award, and was recognized by Pharmacia and Upjohn in 2000. Thompson is the owner of Janssen Veterinary Clinic.

Eddie Creighton, of Warsaw, Indiana, earned his bachelor's degree from Purdue in 1954. Upon graduation, he went to work on his family's farm, Creighton Brothers. He worked his way up to general manager in 1982 and by 1985, Creighton Brothers became the leading marketer of fresh shell eggs in the continental United States. Before his retirement in 1998, Creighton was instrumental in building the Crystal Lakes liquid egg processing plant, which produces 50 million dozens shell eggs and 45 million pounds of egg product. Creighton has served as a member of the Purdue Agriculture Dean's Advisory Committee, director of the Purdue Agriculture Alumni Foundation, director for Ivy Tech Community College, Kosciusko County Commissioner, and has provided leadership in numerous local organizations. In 1966 he received the Golden Egg award — the highest award of the Indiana State Poultry Association.

Tilden Wayne Perry, of Van Buren, Arkansas, received his master's degree in 1948 and his doctorate degree in 1950 — both in animal sciences at Purdue. He spent 43 years serving the Purdue University Animal Science Department in research and teaching. Perry's accomplishments include 150 published abstracts, 161 scientific papers, 323 departmental publications and 4 university text books. Perry served on the National Academy of Science/National Research Council Committee on Animal Nutrition, was active in the American Society of Animal Science (ASAS) and the editorial board of the Journal of Animal Science. He served as a charter member and historian of the American Registry of Animal Science. Perry has earned three ASAS awards for his work, including the Gustav Bohstedt Award for Minerals (1978), American Feed Industry Nutrition Research Award (1980) and the F.B. Morrison Award (1990).

Jesse Shively, of Franklin, Indiana, earned his bachelor's in 1957 and his master's in 1963 in animal sciences from Purdue. Upon completion of his doctorate from Iowa State in 1967, Shively began a 30-year research career with Pfizer. He began his tenure as a research nutritionist, became a project leader in 1974 and in 1988 was promoted to senior clinical research investigator. His research successes include the development of a feed additive and antibacterial product for swine and three U.S. patents. He was a member of the American Society of Animal Sciences and the Canadian Society of Animal Sciences. After retirement he provided consulting duties for Pfizer. In addition to his professional endeavors, Shively has served the Indiana Pork Producers for more than 20 years and has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, the United Methodist Retirement Community and the Cancer Care Center.

Malcolm DeKryger, of Demotte, Indiana. Upon earning his master's degree in 1983, DeKryger spent one year as a Purdue Extension swine specialist followed by seven years in the feed and pharmaceutical industries. In 1991 DeKryger joined Belstra Milling Company, where he currently serves as Vice President and is responsible for business development, personnel recruitment, nutritional management and pig production. Under his leadership, Belstra has added nearly 11,500 sows and 40,000 dairy cows, and the feed mill has grown from 35,000 mixed tons to nearly 120,000. DeKryger also is a member of the Board of Indiana Pork Producers, president of the board, girls' soccer coach for Covenant Christian High School and is a member of the First Christian Reformed Church of DeMotte.

Alan Mathew, of Knoxville, Tennessee, received his master's degree in 1978 and doctorate in 1991 at which time he became an assistant professor with the department of animal science at the University of Tennessee. He assumed the role of Department Head in 2003 where he provides direction to the teaching, research, and extension missions for the department. Mathew has published 66 research papers, 51 scientific abstracts, and provided more than 40 invited national and international presentations. He has served on the editorial board of the Journal of Animal Science and as an advisor to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Center for Veterinary Medicine. He currently serves on the U.S. Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, on the review board for the Research Grants and Scholarships Directorate, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, and on two advisory groups for the National Pork Board. Alan and his wife, Ruth, own a family farm in Indiana and have since added a cow-calf beef production herd at their residence in Loudon County, Tennessee.

Pete Hanebutt, of Indianapolis, Indiana, completed his bachelor's degree in 1993 and took a position as an area field representative for Indiana Farm Bureau in 1994 where he facilitated Agriculture in the Classroom programs and was heavily involved with local government. For the past 11 years, Hanebutt has been the political education specialist for Farm Bureau's public policy team. His current duties include congressional and statehouse relations, grassroots lobbying activities, and facilitating Indiana Farm Bureau activities. Hanebutt has been involved with the Purdue Ag Alumni Fish Fry planning committee, volunteered with the Purdue Department of Animal Sciences and worked as the 4-H swine announcer at the Indiana State Fair. Along with his work in agriculture, Pete also is very involved in his church and community.

The Distinguished Agricultural Alumni Award honors mid-career Purdue Agriculture graduates who have made significant contributions to their profession or society in general and have a record of outstanding accomplishments. One Animal Sciences alumnus was recognized by the College of Agriculture and the Department of Animal Sciences on March 21, 2008.

Roy D. Riggs, of North Salem, Indiana, is director of Global Specialty Business for Elanco Animal Health. Riggs has a 28-year career with the company, and his role now involves developing the vision, strategies and teams for innovative products entering the pipeline that are outside Elanco's core business. He is also active in industry groups such as the Center for Food Integrity and Indiana's Grow America Project, and at Purdue, serving on the President's Council and College of Agriculture Dean's Advisory Council. He earned a Purdue bachelor's degree in animal sciences in 1979.

From left to right: Alan Grant, Guy Jackson, Dr. John Johnston, and Robert Benson.
Jackson and Johnston were honored for their contributions to Indiana livestock at the 2008 Indiana State Fair.

Guy Jackson has been involved in the livestock industry all of his life and increased his Duroc sow herd to 35 sows after his high school graduation in 1956. The herd has been a closed herd since 1983. Commercial producers and foreign buyers like the concept of a closed herd and Guy has supplied replacement gilts and boars to hundreds of producers in this country, and has sent hogs to 10 foreign countries. Herd sires like Master Charge, Columbus Big Bear and JJ Pride have left Guy's mark on the Duroc breed. Guy has received the "Paul Parrish Breeding On" Award, has had Hog College gilt in 1995 and many other awards and champion hogs.

As a leader, Guy has served on several committees as an officer for the pork industry and the Duroc Association on the County, State, and National level. Guy was President of Indiana Duroc Association in the early 1980's, President of the National SPF Board, and has been an active leader on the Huntington County Swine Boosters Executive Committee. He served on the National Duroc Board of Directors from 1989-1994 and as President at the time, Guy cast the deciding vote to join with other breeds. This insightful decision, led to the formation of the National Swine Registry that has flourished and served the swine industry ever since.

Guy supports several areas in the community including judging swine shows and supporting the 4-H and FFA youth programs. He is active as a moderator and he is on the Board of Deacons and Trustees at the United Church of Christ. He is a member of the Joy Pleasures Clown Group that performs at local nursing homes and hospitals.

Dr. John Johnston has dedicated much of his career to the eradication of Pseudorabies virus (PRV) from the Indiana Swine population. This livestock industry professional is hard working, trustworthy, leader of the animal health industry.

In 1994, Dr. Johnston joined the Indiana State Board of Animal Health as the Director of Swine Health Programs. At the time, nearly 1000 swine farms were under quarantine for PRV. Through Dr. Johnston's leadership and tireless efforts he worked with all stakeholders to successfully eradicate PRV.

This eradication process was not an easy task, particularly when the Accelerated Pseudorabies Eradication Program (APEP) was launched, which required the depopulation of many Indiana operations. Dr. Johnston clearly understood the impact the program would have on the producers and insisted that it minimize the emotional and financial impact on the producers.

Through challenging times during the eradication effort, it was Dr. Johnston's steadfast, thoughtful, deliberate manner that allowed the program to succeed. Disease eradication without eradicating the producer was always his goal. Dr. Johnston met and exceeded this goal.

Dr. Larry R. Miller, Centreville, Maryland, was inducted into the Hall of Fame October 21, 2008 by the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) at USDA in Washington, DC. The CSREES Hall of Fame recognizes individuals for their outstanding support for research, education, and extension in advancing knowledge for agriculture, the environment, human health and well-being, and communities.

Larry's professional career spanned nearly 38 years at USDA including the Agricultural Research Service, the Joint Council on Food and Agricultural Sciences, the Cooperative State Research Service, and the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service. His unique career included extensive experience with multi-State research, program reviews and organizing mini symposia or national planning meetings. Programmatic responsibilities included meat science and muscle biology, small ruminants, the Minor Use Animal Drug Program, the National Animal Germplasm Program (collaboratively with ARS), the Joe Skeen Institute for Rangeland Restoration, the Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank (FARAD), statistics, and wool research among others. He routinely worked with numerous federal agencies, professional organizations, and university leadership throughout his USDA career.

Dr. Miller retired from CSREES in July 2007 after serving as the Acting Associate Administrator since 2005. He is currently the Director of the DISCOVER Conferences sponsored by the American Dairy Science Association and serving as a consultant for various food and agricultural related organizations.

Larry graduated from Western Illinois University with an emphasis on Animal Science, Biology, and Agricultural Economics. He worked in Illinois for FS Services, an agricultural cooperative, for nearly two years until he made the decision to pursue graduate education. Larry attended Kansas State University and Purdue University where he received his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees respectively with an emphasis on Animal Breeding, Growth and Development, and Statistics.

"I have been working for Procter & Gamble in the Pet Care business for almost 5 years. My current position is Nutritionist for the Iams Dog brand...my role is to formulate diets and evaluate their performance."
- Sarah Adams (B.S. 1999)
Nutritionist, Global Dry Dog Platform

"I am currently a grain merchandiser for Louis Dreyfus Commodities in Claypool, Indiana. I currently sit on the head of the truck soybean meal desk here, selling Soybean meal all over the eastern U.S. to livestock producers and feed mills."
- Jeremy Armstrong (B.S. 2007)
Grain Merchandiser, Louis Dreyfus Commodities

Kellyann (Haniford) Boehm (B.S. 2001) moved to Kunsan AB, Republic of Korea to be an Area Defense Counsel for USAF for a year after receiving her bachelor's at Purdue.

Stacey (Bennett) Harsh (B.S. 1997) is now the Safety Director at Midwest Poultry Service in Mentone, IN. Stacey married Matt Harsh Sept. 9, 2000 and they now have a son Evan Matthew, born May 24, 2005.

"I moved to Fort Wayne to work for a pharmaceutical company, Novartis, selling cardiovascular medicines for over 3 years. I currently work as a senior sales consultant for Bayer Animal Health in Northern Indiana."
- Trina Hopkins (B.S. 2002)
Senior Techinal Sales Consultant, BAYER HEALTHCARE LLC

Lawrence D. Muller (Ph.D. 1969) retired in 2003 from his position as Professor of Dairy Science at Penn State University.

Don Potter (B.S.-AGRI 1951) resides in Earl Park, Indiana as a retired home farm manager. He has three children and keeps busy with his 10 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

"I am now the Area Business Manager for the Kroger Co.'s spice and convenience pouch operations located in Pontiac, South Carolina."
- Travis Ross (B.S. 2004)
Area Business Manager, Kroger Co.

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