August 31, 2007

Animal Sciences honors six individuals as distinguished alumni

"These six alumni have made significant contributions to their profession," said Alan Grant, head of the animal sciences department. "Recognizing each provides an opportunity for our students to learn how alumni have led successful careers. We look forward to honoring these alumni for their outstanding achievements."

The award honors those who have demonstrated excellence in industry, academia or governmental service.

"Not only does the award give recognition, but also provides current students an opportunity to view the pathways to success taken by alumni," Grant said.

An awards ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. Oct. 26 in Lilly Hall, Room 3113, on Purdue's West Lafayette campus. The honorees also will be recognized at the Animal Sciences Alumni and Friends Homecoming Reunion on Oct. 27 in the animal sciences tent on the Purdue Memorial Mall.

The three recipients of the Lifetime Career Award are:

* Bob Cherry of Greenfield, Ind. Cherry earned his bachelor's degree from Purdue in 1969 and became 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 has served as State Representative for House District 53 since 1998. He has been with Indiana Farm Bureau since 1988 and is currently director of Local Government Relations.

* Martin Stob of West Lafayette, Ind. Stob attended Purdue and received his bachelor's degree in 1949, his master's degree in 1951 and his doctorate degree in 1953 in animal sciences. A Purdue professor emeritus, he has dedicated his life to the education of animal science students and those 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 member in 1972. In 2006 Stob was selected to the Indiana Livestock Breeders Association Hall of Fame.

* Robert Totusek of Oklahoma City, Okla. Totusek earned his master's degree 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 Oklahoma State's animal science department. His research interests span a wide range of topics related to nutrition and management of beef cattle. Totusek served as OSU's livestock judging team coach from 1953 to 1961. During this period his teams compiled a record of 11 firsts, seven seconds and four thirds in major national livestock judging contests. Nationally, Totusek was recognized as an outstanding beef cattle judge. He 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 more than 100 Feeders Day and popular articles. Totusek is professor emeritus from Oklahoma State University.

The two winners of the Mid Career Award are:

* Christopher Knight of St. Louis. Knight 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 Co. 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 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 in St. Louis.

* Jerry Malayer of Stillwater, Okla. Malayer received his bachelor's degree in 1979 and master's degree in 1986 in animal sciences from Purdue. Malayer is a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, 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 associate dean for research and graduate education in the Center for Veterinary Health Sciences at Oklahoma State University.

The recipient of the Early Career award is:

* Scott Thompson of Sheridan, Ind. Thompson completed his bachelor's degree in 1993 and his doctorate in 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 serving as host for client education events at Janssen Veterinary Clinic. He has been invited to speak at the Indiana Horsemen's Conference, Hoosier Horse Fair, Trail Riders Association Conference and Purdue Equine Reproduction Workshop. Thompson has been recognized for his work by receiving the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association Excellence in Continuing Education Award, 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.

Writer: Elizabeth Fritz, (765) 494-8402, elfritz@purdue.edu

Sources: Alan Grant, (765) 494-9346, agrant@purdue.edu

Barry Delks, Department of Animal Sciences, (765) 496-7234, delks@purdue.edu

Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
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