Cooperative Extension Service Communications and Technology Department 3354 1000 E. University Ave. Laramie, WY 82071 (307) 766-6342 • fax (307) 766-3998 • www.uwyo.edu

 

For Immediate Release

 

Contact: Steven L. Miller, Senior Editor

Phone: (307) 766-6342

E-mail: slmiller@uwyo.edu

Archived News Site www.uwyo.edu/agadmin/news/news.htm

 

Date: March 19, 2007

 

Outstanding UW ag students receive honors

            Outstanding College of Agriculture students at the University of Wyoming received honors during the Gamma Sigma Delta awards ceremony March 3.

            Gamma Sigma Delta is the honor society of agriculture.

            In addition, Jim Magagna, executive vice president of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association, received the outstanding agriculturalist award. Dwane Miller of Pullman, Wash., received the outstanding alumni award.

            Miller is a professor emeritus in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences at Washington State University (WSU). He retired May 1, 1999. Miller received his bachelor’s degree in 1960, his master’s in 1964, and his doctorate in agronomy in 1966 from the University of Wyoming.

              Miller began his professional career at Southern Oregon College in 1966 where he taught biology and plant science courses.  In 1967, he joined the research and teaching faculty in agronomy and soils at WSU, where he stayed until 1977.  Wanting to try administration, Miller accepted a part-time administration and teaching position as chair of the department of plant sciences at Texas Tech University in 1977. 

            In 1981, Miller went to Montana State University as head of the former Department of Plant and Soil Sciences.  He returned to his former department at WSU in 1987 to assume the position of department chair of agronomy and soils, a position he held until 1996. 

            Magagna, a Rock Springs native who has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame and a juris doctorate from Stanford Law School, embodies the characteristics and learning outcomes universities try to instill in students, said Professor Doug Hixon, head of the Department of Animal Science at UW.  “He is an excellent communicator, and communication skills are one of the things we think our students should obtain as graduates of our program.”

              Magagna has a depth of knowledge base in disciplines relevant to animal agriculture and understands UW’s role in the land-grant system.  “Such institutions are excellent sources of unbiased, research-based information,” notes Hixon. “That information is essential for decision-making in livestock production systems.”

            Magagna is excellent at working with other people and organizations to evaluate information and solve problems. “If we teach our students to be able to identify appropriate information and solve problems, we will have been successful and, hopefully, some of our students will develop into outstanding agriculturalists like Jim Magagna in the next generation.”

            Magagna is a lifelong sheep rancher in southwestern Wyoming.

            Outstanding student awards went to:

            Freshman– Amy Berry, Cheyenne; Travis Allen, Cheyenne

            Sophomore­ – Stephanie Budd, Wheatland

            Junior – Stacia Berry, Cheyenne

            Senior – Tabithia Christner, Wauneta, Neb.; Lynn Franzkowiak, Schaller, Iowa

            Master’s – Caley Gasch Salava, Cody

            Doctoral – Qingwu Shen, Beijing City, China.

            On the Web: http://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/GSD/

 

###