Six students were selected to receive assistantships in the Agricultural Sciences Department this semester while pursuing their master's degrees. Among them are SHSU alumni as well as newcomers to the department. Dawn Dorsey (Willis) is a graduate assistant for the poultry science and animal science classes. Dorsey is interested in a teaching career and raises meat goats, horses and llamas in her spare time. Jodie Smith (Broaddus) assists in the anatomy and physiology lab classes. She is also assisting with the Ag Leaders and Ag Ambassadors programs. Smith is planning to become an agriculture extension agent and sought the graduate assistantship to gain more experience teaching and to help improve her communication skills.

     In August of 1999, Paula Renee Siems (West) received her bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University. Siems chose SHSU for her graduate work to gain experience in the classroom. She is assisting with instruction in soil science classes. Tamra Webb (Willis) is a May 1998, SHSU graduate and is anticipating graduating in May 2000 with her master's degree. Webb assists with the introductory animal science labs and the anatomy and physiology class.

     Beau White (Palestine) works primarily with the agricultural mechanization courses, assisting Drs. Harrell and Muller with preparation for classes and labs at the Agricultural Mechanization Center. Ferol White (Navasota) came to SHSU after several years of experience in the U.S. Peace Corps. Following completion of her M.S., White plans to return to the tropics, assisting with agricultural development in third world countries. She is assisting with the introductory plant science labs and shares recruiting efforts for the department with Tamra Webb.