HONORING A LEGACY

FORMER STUDENTS SPEARHEAD ENDOWMENT IN HONOR OF DR. TIP CLINE

Dr. Tilford (Tip) Cline made a lasting impact on his students, colleagues and the swine industry during his 40-plus year career in the Department of Animal Sciences at Purdue University.

Cline, an emeritus professor of animal sciences, died in February, but some of his former students are working to ensure his legacy lives on through an endowment in his honor that would continue to benefit students interested in animal nutrition.

“The response has been amazing from both former students that were positively impacted by Dr. Cline as well as the swine nutrition industry that valued his impact over the years,” says Dwight Armstrong, former CEO of National FFA, global vice president of Provimi and president of Akey. “Even with the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals and companies have stepped forward to support this endowment in record numbers.”

In addition to his teaching and swine research, Cline was also a charter member of the Midwest Swine Nutrition Conference and served as its chair for the first 15 years. In 1998, he received the American Society of Animal Science Fellow Award for Teaching.

Armstrong, who earned his master’s degree and a Ph.D. in animal science from Purdue in 1973 and 1975, respectively, considered Cline both a mentor and a valued friend.

“His leadership and guidance during my Ph.D. program were key to the future career I enjoyed in the field of animal nutrition,” Armstrong says. “Tip and his family were also friends and helped my wife and me through some challenging

His leadership and guidance times while we were at Purdue.” Cline’s support of his graduate students extended well past their years during my Ph.D. program were at Purdue. Armstrong notes some of his favorite memories of Cline revolve around key to [my] future career. the celebration dinners he and his family hosted at their home after key events. “I fondly remember the dinners he held to honor the 50th wedding anniversary of Marcia and Alfredo Andrade and my honorary doctorate,” Armstrong says. “He invited people important to each of us to help commemorate these important events. Tip was the ultimate host to celebrate others.” Armstrong and Gary Cromwell, professor of animal sciences at University of Kentucky, are spearheading the efforts to raise $50,000 to fully fund the endowment in Cline’s honor. While they have had a tremendous response with commitments from individuals and companies, their fundraising efforts continue. If you would like to support the Dr. Tilford (Tip) Cline endowment, contact April Shepherd, director of development for Purdue College of Agriculture, at ashepherd@prf.org or 765-494-7435.