Clay Eastwood

Clay Eastwood, a Ph.D. student in the Department of Animal Science, received this year’s Z.L. Carpenter Outstanding Graduate Student Award in Meat Science at the Department of Animal Science Christmas Luncheon on Thursday, December 4, 2014. Clay is from New Braunfels, Texas, and she received her B.S. and M.S. degrees from Texas A&M University.

This award is presented annually to a graduate student who demonstrates outstanding leadership skills and has contributed significantly to the Meat Science Section’s teaching, research, and extension activities. Clay teaches ANSC 307 laboratories, assists with ANSC 437, “Marketing and Grading of Livestock and Meat,” has assisted with ANSC 117, Texas Barbecue, participates in Beef 101, Beef 706, and Pork 101 as a cutting instructor, assists with the Barbecue Summer Camp and Camp Brisket, and helps out with the Introductory HACCP Course and Beyond Basics: HACCP Improvement Workshop. Clay has conducted two major research projects during her M.S. work, and she has presented her work at national and international meetings. She also has received the Gamma Sigma Delta Outstanding Graduate Student Award.

Z.L. Carpenter and Clay Eastwood

This award is named in honor of Dr. Zerle L. Carpenter, who began his career at Texas A&M University as an assistant professor of animal science in 1962. Dr. Carpenter rose to become full professor of animal science in 1971, head of the Department of Animal Science in 1978, and director of the Texas Agricultural Extension Service in 1982. In 1988, he was named associate vice chancellor for agriculture for The Texas A&M University System. Dr. Carpenter retired in 1997 after providing leadership to the Extension Service for 15 years.