Ag Day 1996

UMD AG DAY 1996

71st Annual Ag Day

Theme: “Maryland’s Urban Country…Still Making History”

Dedications for Ag Day 1996:

Cathy M. Schwab joined the College of Agriculture and the College of Life Sciences in 1988 as Assistant to the Dean for Admissions. At that time, student enrollment, particularly in agriculture, was at an all time low.

Having been raised on a dairy farm in New Jersey, Cathy had a strong agricultural background, which combined with outstanding admissions credentials from working at Ohio State University and Clemson University, allowed Cathy to meet the challenges facing her at College Park with experience, determination, diligence, and style. Over the years, not only did student enrollment grow, but the quality of students as determined by SAT scores and grade point averages combined with extra-curricular activities increased dramatically.

Cathy became a familiar face at all major agricultural events around Maryland including the Maryland State Fair, Mid-Atlantic Nurserymen’s Trade Show, Maryland Farm Bureau Convention and numerous banquets and youth oriented events. She initiated the awarding of pewter candy dishes to fitting and showing winners at the Maryland State Fair, as well as the awarding of sweatshirts to the top four members of Maryland 4-H and FFA judging teams. Prospective students and their families found her to be not only a source of admissions information, but more importantly, a person with a true commitment to agriculture and natural resources, life sciences, higher education, and the University of Maryland at College Park.

Over the Years Cathy way instrumental in raising the visibility of the many opportunities available in the College of Agriculture with her involvement in campus-wide admissions programs as well as programs targeted specifically to College of Agriculture and college of Life Sciences audiences. The relationships established with teachers participating in the Summer Biology Institute developed a rapport and understanding of agriculture and natural resources with teachers who deal with students interested in all aspects of science on a daily basis. At the same time, Cathy was able to establish trust and confidence with families who were sending “first generation” students to College Park to study. Cathy was the creative force in many initiatives in the College including inviting prospective students to the Alumni Chapter reunion and awards dinner, and the establishment of the Governor’s Summer Scholars program for outstanding high school students.

Cathy worked closely with the student ambassadors who represent the College whenever necessary and serve as hosts and tour-guides to prospective students. She was also involved with the annual Leadership Retreat for students. Cathy also served as a valuable resource for the scholarship committee to assure that agriculture’s traditional and non-traditional audiences were recognized and encouraged to continue with higher education.

In 1990 Cathy was named the first honorary member of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Alumni Chapter and in 1995 she was recognized as the Outstanding Associate Staff member in the College.

In July 1995, Cathy accepted an offer and is currently serving as the Director of Enrollment Management at the McKeesport campus of Pennsylvania State University. Her concern and dedication for students, as well as her impeccable style serves as an example for all who value education and deal with students.

Dr. Elmer Cooper, a retired professor from the University of Maryland and a noted author, passed away on September 28, 1995. Dr. Cooper was born and raised on the family farm in Hampstead, Carroll County, Maryland. He did his undergraduate studies at the University of Maryland and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture Education in 1956 and a Master of Science in 1965. In 1974 he received a Doctorate of Education from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia with a major in Vocational and Technical Education and a minor in Supervision and Administration.

Dr. Cooper was a Vocational Agriculture teacher at North Harford High School from 1956 to 1975. He also served as Program Specialist in Agriculture and as the Maryland State FFA Advisor with the Maryland Department of Education from 1975-1979. he joined the faculty in the Department of Agriculture Extension Education, University of Maryland, College Park In 1979, where he retired as an Associate Professor in 1989.

He was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho, Alpha Zeta, Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Delta Kappa, Alpha Tau Alpha, Maryland Agriculture Teachers Association, Maryland FFA Foundation and numerous others. He received many awards for his involvement in these organizations such as: Outstanding University Teacher Award, Maryland Outstanding Vo-Ag Teacher Award, Maryland FFA Blue and Gold Award and several others.

Dr. Cooper was an active alumnus of Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity. He held several positions with the national fraternity, including a term on the Board of Directors of the Alpha Gamma Rho Chapter House Fund. He was the driving force behind the remodeling of the AGR house on

Princeton Avenue

in 1989.

Arthur B. Hamilton known to many as “A.B.” passed away on January 22, 1996. As a native of Darlington in Harford County, Mr. Hamilton was a graduate from the University of Maryland in 1929 with a degree in Agriculture Economics. He retired from UMCP in 1970 after 39 years of service as a faculty member in the Agricultural Economics Department. His teaching research and Extension efforts were in the area of farm management. He conducted extensive Extension efforts, particularly during World War II.

As an undergraduate, he was a founding member of Alpha Theta Chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity at College Park and remained active in the local and national fraternity throughout his life.

He became an Associate Member of Alpha Zeta in 1939, and was a member of Phi Kappa Phi and Omicron Delta. He was an active member of the Agriculture Alumni chapter and various farm related organizations. He received the alumni Meritorious Service to Agriculture Award from the Agriculture Alumni Chapter in 1976 and 1988. He served as National President of Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity and was named to the alpha Gamma Rho Hall of Fame.

Owen Pestell Thomas 1933-1995

Born on April 28, 1933 in Middleburg, South Africa, Dr. Thomas quickly developed a love for soils and gardening. He went on to study at the University of Natal and from there earned his B.S. and M.S. degrees in 1954 and 1962 respectively. He came to the University of Maryland in 1963 to further his education and in 1966 he received his Ph.D. After a brief return to South Africa he was recruited by the College of Agriculture to join the Department of Poultry Science faculty. In 1971 Dr. Thomas became the chairman of the department and would be for the next 15 years. In addition to teaching fundamental animal nutrition to undergraduate students training graduate students, Dr. Thomas did research in the area of protein and energy requirement fro broilers and additional work in waste utilization and environmental preservation. During his career he authored or co-authored many scientific papers and abstracts, presented work at industry symposia in the U.S. and abroad, and was highly respected as a consultant in broiler nutrition in several countries.

Dr. Thomas was a member of the Poultry Science Association, World’s Poultry Science Association, Sigma Xi, Gamma Sigma Delta, the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists, The Maryland Egg Council, The Maryland Feed Industry Council, and was the faculty advisor for the Poultry Science Club. In 1994 he was honored with the Maryland Egg council’s Service Award. He served as Program Chairman of the Maryland Nutrition conference for more that 15 years. He served on the Board of Directors for the College Park Boys and girls Club and the Eleanor Roosevelt High School Parent’s Association. He is survived by his wife of 28 years, the former Patricia Varney, a daughter Jean and a son Andrew, a brother David and a sister Erica Mattee.

We would also like to express our sympathy on the passing of Dr. Paul Poffenberger, Associate Dean Emeritus in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Block and Bride Club Livestock Show Dairy Judge: Bonnie Remsberg Sheep Judge: Jennifer Woodward Greene SWINE FITTING AND SHOWMANSHIP

Faculty Coach: Dr. Tom Hartsock

Student Coach: Dena Owings

Class 1

Sarah Carson

Dawn Heisey

Dena Owings

Dan Frank

Class 2

Rita Ulrich

Christine Webster

Clare Bonifant

Aaron Sanders

SHEEP FITTING AND SHOWMANSHIP

Faculty Coach: Dr. Scott Barao

Student Coach: Lynn Zimmerman

Class 1

Virginia Duff

Christine Webster

Angela Constatino

Tabatha Offult

Class 2

Lily Cheng

Clare Deming

Carolyn Roberts

Class 3

Rita Ulrich

Kelly Walsh

Dena Owings

Class 4

Bobby Fogle

Merrill Bender

Taylor Spies

Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion Sponsored by Lynn Zimmerman

BEEF FITTING AND SHOWMANSHIP

Faculty Coach: Dr. Scott Barao

Student Coach: Oscar Sipler

Class 1

Sponsor: Jr. Lees Farm, John & Bonnie Speak Jr.

Patty Parsley

Aaron Sanders

DAIRY HEIFER FITTING AND SHOWMANSHIP

Faculty Coaches: Dr. Lee Majeskie, Tom Moreland

Student Coaches: Elizabeth Daher, Mark Iager, Aaron Sanders

Class 1

Sponsor: Dr. Lee Majeskie

Jennifer Coyne

Runsey Gilbert

John Gilley

Kelly Kohn

Class 2

Sponsor: Dr. Mark Varner

Monica Bealles

Traci Dector

Natalie Nash

Monique Jackson

Class 3

Sponsor: Dr. Robert Peters

Lynda Blue

Jennifer Eakle

Patty Parsley

Marie Speak

Class 4

Sponsor: The Charles Iager Family

April Hall

Sean Johnson

Mary Ellen Seraydian

Mike Tine

Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion Class Sponsored by: Gary and Sherry Seibel

COW CLASS

Sponsor: Orkin Agri-Business Service

Allison Miller

Aaron Sanders

Oscars Siplar

Wendy Smith

Mike Time

Agriculture Student Council

The Agriculture Student council is a service group consisting of representatives from all agricultural clubs at the University of Maryland. Its purposes are to coordinate activities of the member clubs, to promote agricultural public relations, and to establish and develop interaction among students, faculty, administrators and alumni. In addition, the Ag Student council promotes the welfare and betterment of physical conditions and academic programs on campus for agricultural students.

There are 9 campus agricultural clubs represented on the Ag Student Council. Two representatives are elected to serve from each student club and officers of the Council are elected to 1-year terms from among these representatives. This year’s Ag Student Council members are:

Officers

President: Allison Miller

1 ^st Vice President: Dawn Dubois

2 ^nd Vice President: Jonathan Leith

Treasurer: Nate Smith

Secretary: Lisa Carr & Heather Hull

Historian: Monica Bealles

Ag Day Coordinator: Sean Johnson

Agriculture Day Committee

Ag Day Coordinator: Alpha Gamma Rho

Space Allocations/Permits: Natural Resource Management Society

Livestock Shows: Animal Husbandry Club

Program Booklet: ASAE

Clean-up: Poultry Science Club

Invitations: Collegiate 4-H Club

Displays: Alpha Zeta

Procurement and Moving: Alpha Gamma Rho

Publicity: Veterinary Science Club

Non-Parade: Veterinary Science Club

Entertainment: Alpha Gamma Rho

Thanks to the following people and organizations who helped may Ag Day 1996 a success:

Dr. DeBarthe

Dr. Majeskie

Jordan Thomas and the Barn Crew

Tom Moreland

Dr. Seibel

Dr. Westhoff and the ANSC Dept.

Gary Seibel

Norman Martin

Ag Alumni Association

Lynn Zimmerman

Dr. Nepote

Dr. Barao

Dr. McIntosh

Gail Yeiser

Betty Ohler

Dean Fretz

Elizabeth Martin

Dr. Hartsock

College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Dept. Chairs

Kevin Coyne

Ag Council Officers and Members

Members of the community and University for providing displays and support

Clubs of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Club Chairpersons and Committees

Livestock Coaches

For more information, contact Gail Yeiser

Last updated: 03/9/2009