March 8, 2021
COVID-19 UPDATE
For the most up to date information from West Texas A&M University and the Texas A&M University System about COVID-19, visit the University's COVID-19 Information Page.
Texas A&M System
Issues Guidance on COVID-19 Protocols
Over the past year, the Texas A&M System institutions have done an amazing job in responding to the pandemic and protecting the health of our faculty, staff and students.
With the end of the spring semester only 6-8 weeks away, A&M system members should continue to follow system guidance, “Guidance for Spring Semester of 2021 and Related Issues” issued in October 2020 on testing, face coverings, classes, physical distancing, occupancy limitations, co-curricular activities, among other matters.
Based on our assessment of current conditions, this step will help us successfully complete the semester and is consistent with Gov. Greg Abbott’s order that masking and other protocols should be decided by our institutions, not by the state.
At the conclusion of the spring semester, we anticipate System guidance being lifted so that all rules, procedures and practices regarding classes, travel, face coverings, testing, etc., will be determined locally at your institution informed by your conditions and reviewed by the System.
The System may provide additional guidance this semester or going forward, as conditions warrant.
 
John Sharp,
Chancellor
The Texas A&M University System
Johnny Trotter inducted into
Cattle Feeder Hall of Fame
Johnny Trotter, long time donor and supporter of the Agricultural Sciences Department, will be inducted into the Cattle Feeder Hall of Fame at the annual Cattle Industry Convention and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association trade show in Nashville, on August 9th. In one way, it’s a lifetime achievement award. In another, it recognizes his significant imprint on the industry in that lifetime. “When I was a kid, all I ever cared about was being around horses and cattle,” he said. “I always wanted to be a cowboy.”
Congratulations on this award-, thank you for the on-going support!
Women's Track and Field
Lady Buffs Win 8th Straight
Lone Star Conference Title
At the meet, on February 21st the Lady Buffs won six events en route to winning their eighth straight Lone Star Conference Women's Indoor Track & Field Championship. The Lady Buffs scored a program record 234.5 points. Congratulations!
Dr. Nick Flynn Leads Free
Homebrewing Webinar
Dr. Nick Flynn, Professor of Biochemistry will lead “Chemists Make the Best Homebrewers” from 1 to 2:30PM CT March 17 for the American Chemical Society’s ACS Webinars series. Dr. Flynn will discuss various methods of homebrewing and offer tips for improving brewing methods. He has been homebrewing since 1993, even brewing all of the beer served at his wedding in 1995. The webinar will be moderated by Brian Guthrie, a corporate research fellow for Cargill.
“The brewer community is an amazing space where people can talk about their passion and learn from each other,” Flynn said. “And chemists make great brewers because they know how to follow procedures and they appreciate a well-developed process.” The webinar is free, and open to the public who register here.
Visiting Research Scholar from Pakistan
Muhammad Usman, a doctoral student in the Department of Economics and Agricultural Economics at PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, is visiting West Texas A & M University as a Research Scholar/Fellow from January through July 2021. His visit is sponsored by Punjab Higher Education Commission, Pakistan under International Research Support Fellowship Program. He is conducting research titled “Research and Development Spillover: Role of Absorptive Ability in Pakistan.” His research also includes R&D Spillover Impacts on Agricultural Productivity in Pakistan.
Dr. Lal Almas, Associate Dean and Regents Professor of Agricultural Ausiness and Economics is serving as his host faculty. Mr. Usman will be conducting his research, working on his dissertation, and developing manuscripts under Dr. Almas.
Mr. Usman comes from a rural background and has been first generation college graduate. He holds B.S. and MSc degrees from Islamia University, Bahawalpur and an M.S. in Economics from International Islamic University, Islamabad. Currently, he is a visiting faculty at PMAS Arid Agriculture University and working on his doctorate. He will be first one in his family to earn his doctoral degree in economics in 2021. His wife works as Clinical Psychologist for Government of Punjab. They have four year old twin sons, Ibrahim and Mujataba(pictured above). 
Welcome, Mr. Usman!
Congratulations Dr. Xiang!
Dr. Mingying Xiang, Assistant Professor of Horticulture, got married on
February 12, 2021! Congratulations, we wish you a lifetime of happiness!