Katy Jo Nickelson, Clay Eastwood, McKensie Harris, and Micki Gooch at the Southwest Meat Association Supplier’s Showcase

Students from the Department of Animal Science at Texas A&M University participated in the 60th Annual Convention and Supplier’s Showcase of the Southwest Meat Association, which was held at the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort at Cedar Creek, Texas on July 27-30, 2016. Adam Murray and Dylan Tucker served as student assistants at the convention, and Kenna Turner is serving as a summer intern for the Southwest Meat Association. Jillian Milopoulos and Jessica Humphrey from Texas Tech University were the other students who assisted at the convention.

Student workers at Southwest Meat Association convention: Dylan Tucker, Jillian Milopoulos, Kenna Turner, Jessica Humphrey, and Adam Murray

McKensie Harris and Katy Jo Nickelson visiting with Southwest Meat Association members

Many of the students in attendance were there to receive scholarships. Bob Ondrusek Memorial Scholarships were awarded to graduate students, Aeriel Belk, Drew Cassens, Clay Eastwood, McKensie Harris, Hillary Henderson, and Katy Jo Nickelson, and to undergraduate students, Bryan “Bo” Garcia, Micki Gooch, Jordan Hevner, Madalynn Kainer, and Emily June Kelley. The SMIKids Graduate Student Scholarship was awarded to Courtney Boykin. Baylee Bessire assisted with the table top exhibit for the Supplier’s Showcase used to promote the activities of the department.

Grad students at Southwest Meat Association Annual Convention: Adam Murray, Hillary Henderson, Micki Gooch, Baylee Bessire, McKensie Harris, Clay Eastwood, Courtney Boykin, Aeriel Belk, Katy Jo Nickelson, and Drew Cassens