The 2010 Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Department’s Visiting Committee was on campus March 4-5, 2010 to conduct their annual review of the department. The committee, composed of a group of quality professionals are: Dr. Jeff Hattey, professor of soil science at Oklahoma State University; Dr. Thomas Thompson (AGRO, ’85), head and distinguished professor of crops and soil science at Texas Tech University; Bruce Foreman, CFO of Wisteria Place Retirement and formally CFO of Fehr Foods in Abilene; Scott Hughes (ANSC, ’95), efficiency manager of Agrivision; Neil Walter (AGRO, ’73), farmer; Dr. Julie Marshall, associate professor of biochemistry at LCU and Technical VP for JLA USA; Dr. Jennifer Grimes (ANSC, ’03), associate veterinarian in Belton, Texas; Dr. Gary Acuff (BIOL, ’79), head of animal science at Texas A&M University; and Joseph Bunting (AGRB & MKTG, ’99), produce category manager for United Supermarkets.
Dr. Foy Mills, A&E department chair, decided to do something different asking all participants in this year’s visiting committee discussion to do a SWOT analysis of the department. The working session involved small group interaction discovering the department’s strengths and weaknesses, and identifying opportunities and threats. Mills included a time in the meeting where the faculty, visiting committee and selected students all discussed the analysis together, unlike the format in previous years.
“We are drawing close to the completion of Project 2012, which repositioned and revitalized A&E. I thought that the SWOT process, including the working session, would be a great way to interact and generate valuable information for reflection to help us as we position A&E for the next ten years,” Mills said.
This type of small group discussion proved to be a valuable time for not just the department, but also for the individuals around the table.
“It was more structured this year compared to last,” said Tiffany Lutz, sophomore animal science major from Zelienople, Pa. “Small group discussion works better because it’s more personal. You actually get to know the person that you’re talking to.”
Mills relates, “I am excited about the very tangible results produced from our visiting committee’s presence on campus. Their contributions through the years have been invaluable in the continuing formation of A&E.”
