Dr. Karen L. Butler-Purry, Associate Provost for Graduate and Professional Studies, Clay Eastwood, and Marty Holmes, Vice President, The Association of Former Students
Clay Eastwood received an Association of Former Students Distinguished Graduate Student Award for Excellence in Teaching at a ceremony held in the Stark Gallery in the Memorial Student Center at Texas A&M University on Monday, April 25, 2016. Clay was one of seven doctoral students to receive a teaching award along with five doctoral students and three masters’ students who received Excellence in Research Awards.
Association of Former Students Distinguished Graduate Student Award recipients
Clay is from New Braunfels, Texas and received both her Bachelor’s degree (2011) and Master’s degree (2014) in Animal Science from Texas A&M University. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. focusing on fresh meat quality, food safety, and sustainability under the guidance of Dr. Jeff Savell and Dr. Kerri Gehring in the Meat Science Section of the Department of Animal Science. Clay has taught ANSC 307, Meats, and has served as a graduate teaching assistant for ANSC 437, Livestock and Meat Marketing and ANSC 117, Texas Barbecue for several semesters during her graduate career. These classes provide students with intensive hands-on learning opportunities related to their field. In addition, Clay coaches the Meat Science Quiz Bowl Team, which requires her to recruit and train each team to compete nationally.
Texas A&M University Meat Science Quiz Bowl Team — Front row: Drew Cassens, David-Elias Bayona, Mitch Rando, and Andrew Fry. Back row: Clay Eastwood, Hillary Henderson, Ashley Corona, Emily Mahalitc, Courtney Boykin, Brogan Horton, Kaylee McIntosh, and Helen Kline
In 2014, Clay received two graduate student awards: the Ronnie L. Edwards Graduate Student Teaching Award, in recognition of her important contributions as a graduate student to the undergraduate student experience, and the Z. L. Carpenter Outstanding Graduate Student Award in Meat Science, 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 has a passion for students and their success, and she strives to be not only a teacher, but a role model and mentor to them.