College of Science and Technology Fall 2021 Newsletter

CO L L E G E O F

Science and Technology FALL NEWSLETTER 2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS Message from the Dean 2 Farley Classroom Dedication 3 STEM Basecamp 3 Bartlett Cocke Donation 5 COST Impact Program Award 5 New Endowments for STEM 7 Tarleton and HPU Pact

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Student Researcher Presents 9 Engineering Grads Speak at TSPE 10 Student Accepted for A&M DRUMR 10 Physics Student Research Opportunities 11 PERS Program Awards 12 Faculty Achievements 13 Giving Back COST Donors 14

MESSAGE FROM THE

College Dean As we begin a new academic year, the College of Science and Technology moves into an exciting year of transition.

The Tarleton leadership has decided to complete a long-planned split of the College of Science and Technology into two new colleges prior to the start of the 2022-2023 academic year. As a result, the new colleges will house engineering, computer science, engineering technology, and construction science in a new engineering focused college and biology, biomedical science, chemistry, geoscience, mathematics, and physics in a science and math focused college. The upcoming year will be busy with completing the details associated with the split, which includes a national search for the dean of the engineering focused college, determining the names of the new colleges, and a huge variety of associated logistics and business details.

Reflecting on this past year, there have been several important accomplishments that will help both new colleges begin as successful units. We developed an ambitious plan to launch nine new bachelor’s degree programs and nine new master’s degree programs over the next five years, including programs in biotechnology, industrial distribution, statistics, cybersecurity, computer engineering, forensic science, and more. These new programs will provide growth for the new colleges to build on the already successful academic programs in place in the

Dr. Michael Huggins, Dean

College. Our efforts to improve retention will also increase the number of freshman and transfer students that finish their degree with us.

For fall 2021, we launched the master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering as well as began offering the BAS Construction Science &

Management program on the Ft. Worth Campus. This is the first COST program offered in Ft. Worth. Additional programs are slated for the Ft. Worth campus in the upcoming years as construction of buildings 2 and 3 are completed. The Department of Engineering and Computer Science split into the Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering and the Department of Mechanical, Environmental, and Civil Engineering.

This year continues to have additional challenges due to the pandemic. COST faculty and staff have done an outstanding job in providing our students with a high quality education during these trying times. We will continue to roll with the everchanging tide of complexities brought about by the pandemic.

Sincerely

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Farley Classroom Dedication at Timberlake Biological Field Station This summer we celebrated the dedication of the Farley Education Building at the Timberlake Biological Field Station. A new classroom gifted from the

John and Lillie May Farley family will expand undergraduate and graduate research opportunities in everything from aquatic and plant ecology to herpetology and ornithology. Area school children also find the station a special place for learning.

John W. Farley and Lillie May Reid shared a microscope in Lula Gough’s Botany class at John Tarleton Agricultural College in the 1930-31 school year. It was while sharing a microscope that romance began to blossom that started a life-long marriage and deep love for Tarleton. Decades of fellowship ensued between the Timberlakes, Johansons, and five generations of Farley family members at the river campground. This friendship and their passion for education and Tarleton motivated the Farley family to establish the Farley Education Building at the Timberlake Biological Field Station in honor of the families’ relationship that began some 100 years ago.

The Timberlake Biological Field Station was established in 2015 to advance environmental research, engage students in scientific discovery, and promote stewardship of the natural world. Learn more: https://www.tarleton.edu/timberlakeranch/index.html

Dedication of the Farley Education Building 3

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STEM Basecamp Prior to the start of the Fall 2021 semester, the College of Science and Technology hosted 40 incoming freshman students at STEM Basecamp,

an intensive five day program specifically designed to help first-year STEM students make a successful transition to college. STEM Basecamp participants developed skills and learned strategies for success as well as reducing the stress of the first semester at Tarleton.

During the five-day program, students participated in classes to help them be successful in their first mathematics course (college algebra or precalculus math) and the first course in their specific degree program (biology, general chemistry, physics, intro to computer science, etc). In addition, the students were provided resources for STEM Readiness which provided them with tips and techniques to test preparation, study habits, time management, how to communicate with faculty, and much more.

More than 15 COST faculty and staff participated in the various sessions sharing their knowledge of STEM as well as their passions for teaching undergraduate STEM students. The program also incorporated a team-building excursion to the Tarleton Challenge Course and several social activities including game night, trivia night, and a show at the planetarium.

Based on the feedback from the faculty and staff as well as an exit survey of the STEM Basecamp participants, the program was a huge success and accomplished many our initial goals. We will continue to track the participants over the coming years to look for long term impacts on student retention and graduation as well as other success markers.

We have already begun planning for next year’s event where we hope to grow the number of participants!!

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COST

Bartlett Cocke Donation Names Constru “I graduated from Tarleton in 1993 with a degree in business. If there had been a construction science department back then, that’s something I would have been a part of.”

The computer-aided design lab in the Engineering building at Tarleton State University was recently named the Bartlett Cocke General Contractors Construction Technologies Lab following a donation by the Texas-based general contracting firm.

Bartlett Cocke’s support of the Construction Science and Management program has been spear-headed by Tarleton graduate Randall Jay, the company’s Vice President of Field Operations, who recognized great things in this program several years ago.

The Construction Science and Management program began in 2015 and is part of the Engineering Technology Department.

“In 2015 I heard Tarleton was developing a construction science department with plans to offer a degree in it,” Jay said. “I graduated from Tarleton in 1993 with a degree in business. If there had been a construction science department back then, that’s something I would have been a part of.”

New signage for Lab in Engineering Building

He contacted the university when he heard of the coming Construction Science and Management program, planning to involve his employer from an early stage.

“We started going to career fairs in Stephenville in 2015. There

COST IMPACT PROGRAM MAKES FIRST AWARDS THE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IS HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE THE PROJECTS SELECTED FOR FUNDING FROM THE COST IMPACT PROGRAM. This program is completely funded from external donations to the college.

There were seven projects submitted for consideration and four have been selected for funding for a total of $7,144.76.

• Fei Wang (ENCS): Proposal title: Permeability Test Devices, a.k.a.

Permeameters (ENVE 2311 Soil Mechanics & ENGR 111 Engineering Fundamentals);

The four projects are:

• Hoe-Gil Lee (ENCS); Proposal title: Consumables for 3D printer student projects (MEEN 2115 Engineering Computer Aided Manufacturing);

• Austin Davidson (student); Proposal title: Using ASME student competitions as a vehicle to enhance student educational experience, promote retention, and develop needed skills for future success;

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• Haitham Abu Ghazaleh (ENCS); Proposal title: Support for IEEE Student Chapter Competition and Research Projects;

These projects were selected as top priority due to their impact on the educational experiences of our students.

uction Technologies Lab were only about three kids in the department then who were working toward that degree. Our HR director went to the career fair with me, and she asked, ‘What are we doing? There’s nobody here.’ I told her, ‘Mark my words, the demographics of Tarleton State University lean toward this type of degree. It will explode.”

He was right. Tarleton’s Construction Science and Management program has boomed, now producing over 25 graduates a year.

Over 180 students are enrolled.

The university has initiated its own Construction Industry Advisory Council, following the lead of Texas A&M, Texas State University and UT San Antonio. Bartlett Cocke is active in those CIACs and brought some fundraising ideas to the Tarleton group.

The company began negotiations after learning that Tarleton offers naming opportunities as a means of support. The donation is set up to promote student learning experiences in the Construction Science and Management program.

These activities distinguish the Tarleton experience and prepare our graduates to get out there and do great things.

Randall has helped connect us to recruiting activities, mentored interns, participated in job fairs, provided program guidance — he really sets a fine example of alumni commitment to Tarleton.

Bartlett Cocke previously partnered with Tarleton, sponsoring a booth for engineering technologies students to attend and recruit at the San Antonio Stock Show last year. The company annually brings on summer interns with an eye toward permanent employment.

“Our new hires are about 80 percent from our interns,” Jay said. “We hire from A&M, UTSA, Tarleton and Texas State.

This last year we had more success with our interns out of Tarleton than we did out of the bigger programs. That’s a big deal for a department in only its sixth year. We try to hire from small towns and communities because we know those kids are problem solvers.”

“Instead of just a nameplate on the outside of the lab, we are able to put up pictures of buildings we’ve built with our logo on the pictures. There are eight in the room and one in the hallway in front of the lab,” Jay said. Included in the pictures are Tarleton interns and graduates working at Bartlett Cocke.

Founded in 1959, Bartlett Cocke General Contractors has offices in Dallas, Austin, Baytown, Houston and San Antonio.

The firm was named to the Engineering News-Record Top 100 Contractors in 2019, the same year it was selected General Contractor of the Year by the American Subcontractors Association.

“I am so thankful for the generosity of Bartlett Cocke,” said Dr. Denise Martinez, Associate Dean of Engineering and Computer Science at Tarleton. “Our construction science and management students are very active and very successful in national-level student competitions, and this will be a huge support for that.”

“We try to hire from small towns and communities because we know those kids are problem solvers.”

- Randall Jay, VP

Bartlett Cocke General Contractors Construction Technologies Lab

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COST

New Tarleton Endowments Support STEM Students, Innovation Tarleton State University today announced creation of four endowments to help meet the growing demand for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) graduates and bolster regional economic growth and innovation. Part of the College of Science and Technology, the endowments will provide scholarships and research stipends, increase hands-on educational opportunities for student discovery, and encourage collaborations with industry, government agencies and other higher education institutions.

“We sincerely appreciate the generosity of our donors and their commitment to provide an educational experience second to none,” said Dr. Gabe Cagwin, Vice President for Institutional Advancement. “These endowments will support academically talented STEM students who otherwise might not have an opportunity to complete their degree and honor some of Tarleton’s most distinguished faculty.”

More than half of the university’s 14,000 students are the first in their family to attend college, and 60 percent of all Tarleton Texans receive some form of financial assistance.

The Pam and Mark Littleton Enrichment Endowment for Mathematics Education supports professional development opportunities for students associated with the Tarleton Educators for the Advancement of Mathematics (TEAM). Drs. Pam and Mark Littleton are retired from the Department of Mathematics and Department of Educational Leadership and Technology, respectively.

The Timberlake Biological Field Station Research Support Endowment, established by Dr. Lamar and Marilynn Johanson, provides student stipends as well as travel support for students to present research findings at national scientific meetings and conferences. Covering about 800 acres in Mills County, the field station is home to an array of indigenous plants and wildlife, allowing student researchers to study everything from aquatic ecology and environmental chemistry to herpetology and water quality.

Tarleton State University today announced creation of four endowments to help meet the growing demand for STEM graduates, bolster regional economic growth and honor some of Tarleton’s most distinguished faculty. Recognized faculty, from left, are Drs. Pam and Mark Littleton; Dr. Jimmy McCoy; and Dr. Lamar Johanson and his wife, Marilynn.

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A second endowment created by the Johansons — the Lamar and Marilynn T. Johanson Biological Sciences Scholarship Endowment — continues the couple’s broad support of academic and athletic programs, providing scholarships to biology and biomedical science majors.

Dr. Johanson retired in 2001 after 40 years of service to Tarleton, including 18 years as Dean of the former College of Arts and Sciences. Mrs. Johanson served Texas public schools for 34 years as a classroom teacher in Hico and Stephenville high schools, an education specialist with the Texas Education Agency, and high school and elementary principal at Strawn and Goldthwaite ISDs. She received the 2015 Distinguished Alumnus honor from the Tarleton Alumni Association.

The Jimmy J. McCoy Physics Scholarship Endowment — a first for the university — honors Dr. McCoy’s 50 years of service to Tarleton. The endowment was established by alumni, university friends and physics faculty.

Gifts to these endowments or to any COST program or department can be made online at https://donate.tarleton.edu.

Click on College of Science and Technology.

To make a donation that impacts the entire college, join the College of Science Dean’s Circle at https://donate.tarleton. edu. Go to Deans’ Circles and select COST. For more information on Tarleton’s College of Science and Technology, visit www.tarleton.edu/COST.

“The College of Science and Technology is profoundly grateful for these new endowments, they will enhance the traditional classroom experience and enable applied-learning opportunities that better prepare graduates for the STEM workforce.”

- Dr. Michael Huggins, Dean

Tarleton State University President Dr. James Hurley, right, and Howard Payne University President Dr. Cory Hines, shake hands after signing a Memorandum of Understanding allowing easier transition for high-achieving HPU students to Tarleton’s masters of environmental science program.

TARLETON PACT GUARANTEES ADMISSION TO HPU ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE STUDENTS TARLETON STATE UNIVERSITY HAS ANNOUNCED AN ADMISSIONS AGREEMENT WITH HOWARD PAYNE UNIVERSITY. High-achieving HPU science, biology, chemistry and engineering science students will be guaranteed acceptance to Tarleton’s master of science in environmental science program.

Operated from the College of Science and Technology, the program is interdisciplinary and fully online. It offers flexibility to suit the needs of students and their career paths in an array of related fields. With both thesis and non-thesis options, the degree works for students in any stage of their career.

“We are committed to bringing well-qualified graduate students from Howard Payne University to Tarleton State University and the master of environmental science program,” said Dr. Ryan Morgan, head of the Department of Chemistry, Geoscience and Physics. “This exciting partnership is a step in the long-term vision for enhancing science and policy advocates in Texas and beyond.”

Dr. Anne Egelston, Director of Tarleton’s Center for Environmental Studies, said HPU is a regionally important institution.

“This agreement allows Howard Payne students to integrate quickly into our master’s program,” she added.

“We look forward to maintaining a close relationship with them and bringing more of those students to our campus and to our environmental science program.”

The agreement, which takes effect immediately, also makes transfer students eligible for scholarships their first semester at Tarleton.

Additional MOUs and articulation agreements are being developed with universities across Texas as Tarleton continues to cultivate programs that meet regional and state workforce needs.

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COST

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

Student Researcher Represents Tarleton in Austin

“I am very passionate about communicating science and presenting my work, so I am grateful to have had the opportunity to represent Tarleton at this year’s Texas Undergraduate Research Day.” - Faith Cox

Senior biology major Faith Cox represented Tarleton State University at Texas Undergraduate Research Day at the state Capitol in Austin. This year’s event, held virtually,

“I am very passionate about communicating science and presenting my work, so I am grateful to have had the opportunity to represent Tarleton at this year’s Texas Undergraduate Research Day,” Faith said.

During the first poster display in February, the site had 900 unique visitors and more than 3,000 page views. Poster displays are viewable again through 7 a.m. March 18 at http://www.cpupc.org/ ugrd/.

“Conducting undergraduate research has prepared me for future studies by increasing my scientific literacy, communication skills, public speaking, resilience, ability to transfer and apply knowledge, and increased my confidence in myself as a scientist and academic,” said Faith, who plans to continue in research and pursue a PhD in virology.

hosted 60 student representatives from 47 institutions, providing an opportunity for the public and lawmakers to see the role undergraduates play in research.

Faith’s presentation was titled “Development of a Triplex Quantitative PCR Assay for Avian Retroviruses.” The reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) and lymphoproliferative disease virus (LPDV) establish lifelong infections in susceptible birds, causing immunosuppression, neoplasia and eventually death.

This assay would allow for improved virus surveillance to protect at-risk groups, such as the endangered Attwater’s prairie chicken, of which REV is the leading cause of death in adult birds.

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Her faculty mentor is Dr. Dustin Edwards, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences and a Senior Research Fellow in the Center for Educational Excellence at Tarleton.

Texas Undergraduate Research Day is coordinated by the Council of Public University Presidents and Chancellors (CPUPC) and the Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas, Inc. (ICUT).

Support for virtual components was provided by the UT Austin Office of Undergraduate Research and School of Undergraduate Studies.

Tarleton Engineering Graduates Speak at May TSPE Meeting in Fort Worth A trio of Tarleton State University civil and environmental engineering May graduates presented their senior design projects at this

and joined Kimley-Horn’s water resources team in Las Colinas in June.

“Being invited to present the two-semester design project to industry professionals is an honor and a privilege,” said Dr. Kartik Venkataraman, the chapter’s faculty mentor. “It’s a great opportunity for them to showcase Tarleton’s civil and environmental engineering programs.”

Daniel’s interest areas include transportation and water resources. He has accepted a full-time position with TxDOT in Brownwood. He plans to work toward his principles and practices of engineering license.

month’s meeting of the Fort Worth chapter of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers. Karina Borisova, a civil engineering major from Brownwood; Shannon Lawless, environmental engineering, Garland; and Daniel Piña, civil engineering, Comanche, headlined the meeting.

Karina, an honor graduate, moved to the United States from Russia as a high school freshman. Her civil engineering interests include water resources and structural engineering. She has completed two summer internships with TxDOT in Brownwood

Shannon graduated with presidential honors with summa cum laude recognition. Her environmental engineering interest areas are water resources, hydrology and hydraulics. In her most recent study she interpreted results from water tests on TCEQrecognized lakes in Texas with Dr. Venkataraman. She interned for two summers with the NRCS in 2019 and 2020 and has accepted a full-time position at Peloton Land Solutions to begin May 24.

Dr. Venkataraman noted that guest lectures, mock interview sessions, leadership training and scholarship opportunities highlight the benefits of TSPE membership. Visit the Department of Engineering and Computer Science at www.tarleton.edu/encs/ for more information.

Tarleton Sophomore Accepted for A&M DRUMR Research Sophomore Ashley Plasencia has been accepted into the Texas A&M College of Medicine DRUMR program. The Developing and

Readying Underrepresented Minority Researchers Summer Research Program has received a National Institute of Health/ National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) grant to provide exposure, training and mentoring for under-represented minority students, one from each Texas A&M University System (TAMUS) school.

“I will be an undergraduate researcher,” Ashley said. “We are each responsible for developing our own research project and presenting our findings at the end of our DRUMR program with faculty and our peers.”

Her areas of research interest are cardiology, immunology, genetics and animal metabolism.

“I am very excited to join this program.

I’ve been wanting to explore the opportunities in research and where this path could take me later in life.”

- Ashley Plasencia

The Texas A&M College of Medicine 10-week summer undergraduate research program in Bryan-College Station will incorporate TAMUS students and produce a network of diverse researchers to address NIDDK-related areas important in biomedical research.

Ashley, from Pflugerville, plans to graduate in the Class of 2023 with a degree in biology. Her research opportunity begins May 24 and runs through July 30.

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COST

Tarleton Physics Students Take Advantage of Research Opportunities Seven Tarleton physics students research opportunities lined up for the summer. Five

of the students, all undergraduates, were selected in Texas and national competitions for paid external research projects.

Graduates Arthur Alvarez and Alec Pfundheller were awarded graduate school fellowships at Texas A&M, Alvarez’s in physics (biophotonics) and Pfundheller’s in nuclear engineering (accelerator physics) “Tarleton’s unique undergraduate research facilities and emphasis on hands-on learning and research often gives students a competitive edge in research competitions and graduate school,” said Dr. Daniel Marble, Professor in Tarleton’s Department of Chemistry, Geoscience and Physics.

“This year’s junior and senior classes have been especially active and compare favorably to our better classes in the past whose graduates obtained advanced degrees and are now in academia, national labs, and industry.”

Alvarez was selected for a National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates at the University of Notre Dame where he will work under Dr. Graham Peaslee on an accelerator-based PIXE project to identify carcinogens in flame retardants.

Due to COVID, Alvarez’s REU at Notre Dame last summer was delayed to this summer. He and fellow physics major Alec

Pfundheller built a laser system to determine the efficiency of various mask materials using optical scattering for their senior research project this past year.

Juniors Sidney Davis, Ethan Keene, and Jason Pipal, were selected for Texas A&M’s Undergraduate Summer Research Grant Program.

Davis has been involved in research in Tarleton’s accelerator lab measuring enhanced nuclear scattering cross section for protons on light elements. He will spend his summer researching materials for next generation reactors in Dr. Lin Shao’s accelerator facility.

Keene and Pipal did environmental radioactivity research this past year looking at gamma emitters in soil. They will spend their summer in Dr. Vlad Yakolov’s laser labs working on biophotonics research with Texas A&M graduate students from physics and bioengineering.

Sophomore Samuel Garcia-Rodriguez was selected for the Nuclear Forensics Internship program at the University of Texas where he will work on the application of nuclear techniques to problems related to national security.

Some junior physics majors who didn’t pursue off-campus research will be doing research in Stephenville this summer with Tarleton faculty. For instance, Taryn Gibbs will be doing research with Dr. Lance Wayley.

Stay Connected Follow Us on Facebook @TarletonCOST. Stay connected and up to date with all the latest COST news and events through the College’s Facebook page.

Tarleton State University President Dr. James Hurley, right, and Howard Payne University President Dr. Cory Hines, shake hands after signing a Memorandum of Understanding allowing easier transition for high-achieving HPU students to Tarleton’s masters of environmental science program 11

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COST

PERS Program Awards The Division of Research, Innovation and Economic Development offered a new program to support faculty and student research at Tarleton. The President’s Excellence in Research Scholars (PERS)

funding opportunity was designed to support faculty who provide innovative learning experiences to undergraduate and graduate students through research, technology, and other resources. The program’s goal is to enhance our students’ (undergraduate and graduate) educational experiences through research and generate preliminary research data for sponsored research.

The PERS program made 24 awards to COST faculty for $375,000 to support research through summer salaries for faculty and students as well as materials and supplies.

Here are some additional details: Total Projects in COST: 24 Total $ awarded to COST faculty: $375,347 Total Faculty Supported: 24 Total Students Supported: 40 Breakdown by department: •

Biology – 8 projects by 7 faculty

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Chemistry, Geosciences & Physic – 6 projects by 4 faculty

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Engineering & Computer Science – 5 projects by 5 faculty

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Engineering Technology – 1 project by 1 faculty member

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Mathematics – 4 projects by 7 faculty

PROJECT PI

TITLE

Tom Faulkenberry

REU Site: Computational Mathematics at Tarleton

Rajani Srinivasan

Evaluation of a novel, plant-based drug delivery system in a Pig Model

Dustin Edwards

Survey of Coronaviruses in Bats in Texas

Philip Sudman

Small Mammal Community Ecology at Caprick Canyons State Park

Jun Xu

Application of Machine Learning Methods to Identity Piezo Ion Channel Kinetics Machine

Scott Cook

Healthcare Disparities in Medical Insurance Claims

Victoria Chraibi

Evaluating Diatom Entry into Bone Marrow Post-mortem as Forensic Evidence

Ryan Morgan

Paleoecological Assessment of the Colony Creek Member

Lynal Albert

Predictive Modeling for Outrage Management in Crisis Situations based on COVID-19 to shape a sustainable, healthy and safe future

Janice Speshock

Microbiome Comparison of Native and Invasive Grasses of Texas

Fei Wang

Large-scale Experimental Study of the Use of Biochar to Treat Oil Contaminated Soils

William Whaley

Improving the delivery of Flavonoids to Target Cancer Cells

Bryant Wyatt

Supraventricular Tachycardia Study Using a Dynamic Computer Generated Heart

Russell Pfau

Assessment of Species Status of Potentially Threatened Bumble Bees

Hoe-Gil Lee

Optimal Design for a Wind Turbine Blade Using Computer

Poorya Hajyalikhani

Fiber Corrosion Influence on the Beam

Kristopher Juntunen

Texas Fossils May Shed Light on the Extinction of a Major Class of Animals

Ryan Morgan

Characterization of a New Dinosaur Track Site Near Crowley, TX

Rajani Srinivasan

Innovative and Cost-effective Methods of detection and plant derived food grade materials for

Eileen Faulkenberry

Learning to Notice with High-Impact Practices in STEM Education

Allan Nelson

Canopy Onset Insect Assemblages of Cedar Elm and Green Ash

Thejas Gubbi Sadashiva A Hybrid Feature Method of Disease Tarleton State University President Dr. Selection James Hurley, right,for andPrecise HowardPrediction Payne University President

Kristin Herrmann Lights Bird Fatalities building Collisions Dr. Cory Phillips Hines, shake handsOut: after Utilizing signing a Memorandum offrom Understanding allowing easier transition forPhillips high-achieving HPU students to Tarleton’s masters of environmental science program Kristin Herrmann Integrative Taxonomy of Posthodiplosotmum

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COST

FACULTY ACHIEVEMENT

Faculty Awards Each year we take time to celebrate the accomplishments of COST faculty and staff.

In this issue of the newsletter, we celebrate the faculty who received tenure and/or were promoted to new academic ranks. In addition, we recognize the years of service and dedication to Tarleton to those faculty and staff reaching milestone years (5, 10, 15,...).

Finally, we want to celebrate the three COST faculty who received Outstanding Faculty Awards at the faculty awards ceremony in May, 2020. For second consecutive year, COST faculty received three of the six awards; the most by any college both years! Honorees are selected for their impact on Tarleton students and the community through innovation, scholarship and service.

Dr. Scott Cook (math) receiving the Faculty Excellence in Scholarship Award

FACULTY PROMOTION AND TENURE PROMOTION TO RANK OF PROFESSOR

•

Dr. Beth Riggs, Department of Mathematics

TENURE AND PROMOTION TO RANK OF ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR •

Dr. Haitham Abu Ghazaleh, Associate Professor of Engineering and Computer Science

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Dr. Orlando Bagcal, Associate Professor of Engineering Technology

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Dr. Jeffrey Cunion, Associate Professor of Engineering Technology

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Dr. Rajesh Vuddandam, Associate Professor of Engineering and Computer Science

YEARS OF SERVICE 5 YEARS •

Dr. Neil Petroff, Department of Engineering Technology

10 YEARS •

Richard A. Willey, Department of Engineering Technology

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Dr. Janice Speshock, Department of Biological Sciences

Mrs. Callie Price, (biology) receiving the Faculty Excellence in Student Success Award

15 YEARS •

Soad Emmert, Department of Mathematics

20 YEARS •

Abel Martinez, COST Dean’s Office Dr. Denise Martinez, COST Dean’s Office

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Dr. Bowen Brawner, Department of Mathematics

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Dr. Bryant Wyatt, Department of Mathematics

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Kayla Wood, Department of Mathematics

25 YEARS •

Dr. Phil Sudman, Department of Biological Sciences

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Dr. Harold Rathburn, Department of Biological Sciences

30 YEARS •

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Dr. Richard Winton, Department of Mathematics

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Dr. Kathy Smith (math) receiving the Jack and Louise Arthur in Teaching Award

Giving Back In 2021, the College of Science and Technology benefited from the generous support of many alumni and friends of the College. Gifts like this allow for the support of activities such as student research, conference travel, equipment purchases, student scholarships and much more. On behalf of the faculty, staff, and students in the College of Science and Technology, we would like to recognize these supporters and thank them for helping us improve the quality of the education and provide enhanced academic experiences for the students in our programs! THANK YOU! A Cut Above Mr. and Mrs. Don Abston Dr. Mircea Agapie Mr. and Mrs. Falih H. Ahmad Dr. and Mrs. Karl Aho Mr. and Mrs. J. Clint Almand Bartlett Cocke General Contractors Ms. Jenny Barton Ms. Jamie Belinne Mr. and Mrs. William D. Bell Birdsong Charitable Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Jason K. Blevins Mr. and Mrs. Russell L. Bowden Ms. April J. Bradley Mr. and Mrs. Jim Bunch Dr. and Mrs. Gabe Cagwin Mr. and Mrs. B.D. Campbell Dr. and Mrs. Delbert S. Carpenter Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Dale Carpenter Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy D. Chew Mr. and Dr. Cory D. Collier Mr. Scott Cook Mr. James Cornell Mr. and Mrs. Donald G. Cox Dr. Joe E. Cude Dr. Jeff Cunion Mr. and Mrs. Earl Dague Ms. Shannon Damazio Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Davenport Dr. Sotirios Diamantas Drs. F. Dominic and C. Lisette Dottavio Ms. Margaret L. Duffy Mr. and Mrs. Gary W. Edwards Ms. Nancy Eggar Ms. Leslie Ellis Mr. and Mrs. Chad A. Evans Drs. Thomas and Eileen Faulkenberry Mr. Stephen W. Fitzpatrick Mr. James T. Florence Mr. and Mrs. Charles Fox Mr. Daniel H. Fu and Mrs. Irene C. Chang Fu Mr. and Mrs. Willie N. Fulfer Dr. and Mrs. Eddie Garner Dr. Javier Garza Mr. and Mrs. John W. Gaubatz Mr. and Mrs. Clayton G. Gillespie Dr. Shaukat N. Goderya Mr. and Mrs. Jerry W. Golden

Mr. and Mrs. Gil Gore Mr. and Mrs. Robert P. Guerra Mr. and Mrs. Steve Harrison Mrs. Sheila A. Hawkins Mr. and Mrs. Maurice L. Hendrickx Mr. and Mrs. Ted Hill Mr. and Mrs. Wendell W. Hollingsworth Mr. and Mrs. Michael D. Honea Mr. Andrew R. Huf Dr. Michael T. Huggins Mr. and Mrs. Richard L. Iley Intuit, Inc Mr. and Mrs. Jason J. Jacks Dr. and Mrs. Lamar Johanson Mr. and Mrs. J. Merrick Kelley Mr. William J. Kelley Ms. Zoy Kocian Mr. Michael O. Kornegay Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Krenek Mr. and Mrs. Cody B. Lane Ms. Cynthia G. Langlands Mrs. Carole Lawson Dr. and Mrs. J. Mike Leese Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Mr. and Mrs. Cody C. Lindsey Drs. Mark and Pam Littleton Ms. Pu Liu and Mr. Tom Huang Ms. Amber Loehr Mrs. Jami K. Lovelady Mr. and Mrs. Brian M. Lowe Ms. Virginia K. Lowry Mr. Thomas Luce Mr. Raymond C. Mainville, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. James M. Malone Ms. Rebecca C. Mandujano Mr. Christopher B. Marble Dr. Daniel K. Marble Mr. Abel Martinez and Dr. Denise Martinez Dr. and Mrs. A. Dwain Mayfield Dr. and Mrs. Kyle W. McGregor Mr. and Mrs. William J. Muncey Mr. Kevin Murphy Mr. Stephen A. Myers Dr. Donna D. Ohnmeiss Ms. Ailia T. Oliver Ms. Dede Ostermann Dr. Neil Petroff Petroleum Experts, Inc

Dr. and Mrs. Ted M. Pettijohn Ms. Kelsey K. Phipps Ms. Jane Pope Ms. Tavanna D. Prince Mr. and Mrs. Lynn Reed Dr. and Mrs. Timothy E. Renfro Ms. Tamara K. Ritchie Mr. Jeremy A. Rivera Ms. Chandler E. Roberson Mr. and Mrs. Gary M. Roberts Mr. Ruben Ruiz Mr. and Mrs. Cody Russell Mr. and Mrs. Justin K. Russell Saint-Gobain Abrasives, Inc Mr. Travis C. Salzillo SAMPE Ms. Rachel M. Schuster Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Schwarzbach Mr. and Mrs. William C. Scott Mr. Cory and Dr. Joanna Shaw Mr. Colton T. Sheffield Mr. and Mrs. Dewayne L. Singletary Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth W. Slimp Mr. and Mrs. Chuck Smith Mr. Russell and Dr. Katherine Smith Ms. Dixie Smythe Dr. and Mrs. L. Dwayne Snider Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Spaeth SSC Services for Education Stephenville Economic Development Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Ken C. Stevenson Sunwest Communications Inc Mr. and Mrs. Trent B. Swearengin Tarleton State University Foundation, Inc Texas Floodplain Management Association Dr. Zdenek Tronicek Mr. and Mrs. Michael Uber Mr. and Mrs. Douglas VanPelt Dr. and Mrs. Rueben H. Walter Mr. Brian and Dr. Renee Warner Mr. and Mrs. Forrest Wiggins Mr. and Mrs. Kyle Wood Mr. and Mrs. Wesley T. Wood Dr. Bryant M. Wyatt and Ms. Madhur Varma Dr. and Mrs. William E. Wyatt

If you would like to support the College of Science and Technology or your favorite academic department; gifts can be made online at: GiveToTheCollegeOfScienceAndTechnology.

A gift that impacts the entire College can be made by joining the College of Science and Technology’s Dean’s Circle, join today at: COST Dean’s Circle.

If you have any questions or would like more information about giving to the College of Science and Technology or establishing an endowment, please contact the College’s Director of Development, Wayne Davenport at wdavenport@tarleton.edu or call 254-968-1744.

Newsletter Fall 2021 |

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Photo Credit: Kurt Mogonye Writing Credit: Phil Riddle

tarleton.edu/cost

1333 W. Washington Stephenville, TX 76402 254.968.9781 Newsletter Fall 2021