J.A. "Jack" Chandler was honored with the prestigious SHSU Alumni Service Award on April 17, 2000. This award is designed to honor individuals who have made exceptional contributions to Sam Houston State University.

Mr. Chandler had a positive influence on many lives during the time he was a Professor of Agriculture and a Dean of our college. Over the past 60 years, he served the Agriculture Department and the university in many capacities from student to administrator.

Mr. Chandler graduated from Sam Houston State Teachers College (SHSTC) in 1942 with a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture and earned a masters degree in 1948. He completed graduate work at the University of Houston and Texas A&M University. Early in his career, he served as a vocational agriculture teacher for public schools in Alba, Aldine, Buffalo and Mexia, with a brief stint in the U.S. Army Air Corps.

In 1955, after working in the Texas Rice Industry, he returned to his alma mater as a professor. From 1975 to 1981, he served as the Dean of the College of Applied Arts and Sciences. At the time of his retirement in 1982 with 40 years of service, he had been an Assistant to the Vice President of Academic Affairs for approximately two years.

Throughout his tenure, Mr. Chandler made many significant contributions to the SHSU agribusiness program and devoted his talents to its development. He helped establish the university's chapter of Delta Tau Alpha, the national agricultural honor society.

The honor bestowed upon him is well deserved and we offer our congratulations and thanks to Mr. J.A. Chandler.