Join us in celebrating students, staff, and faculty
accomplishments and recognizing the outstanding
achievements of our three honored award winners.

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Robbi H. Pritchard will be recognized as the Distinguished Graduate in Science, Education, and Technology. Dr. Pritchard earned his PhD in Animal Sciences from WSU in 1983. After postdoctoral training at Texas Tech University, he began his career in the Department of Animal and Range Sciences at South Dakota State University. He was honored as a Distinguished Professor by SDSU in 2005. This award is SDSU’s highest level of distinction, recognizing faculty members who are models of professional accomplishment. Although Dr. Pritchard has retired from SDSU he continues to work with the beef cattle industry. His research focused on nutritional biochemistry and ruminant nutrition. He mentored over 50 graduate students and spoke at more than 150 producerindustry conferences and seminars across the country.

The Outstanding Alumnus Award will be presented to Dr. Fernando Valdez who graduated from WSU with a PhD in animal nutrition in 1987. Dr. Valdez is an accomplished livestock nutrition professional currently serving as Global Vice President of Ruminant Business Development for Kemin Industries, Inc., a worldwide leader in the specialty ingredient manufacturing industry. Previously, Dr. Valdez was a dairy consultant and dairy team leader at Purina Mills.

Dr. George F. and Jean N. Fries will receive the Distinguished Service Award. Dr. Fries is a 1954 WSU Animal Sciences graduate who served as a research animal scientist with the USDA-ARS for 40 years. He and Jean created the George and Jean Fries Endowment in Animal Sciences to recognize and highlight exemplary undergraduate students who are truly passionate about research. This endowment provides funds each year for undergraduate research projects and travel for one or two students so they can present their research to a national scientific audience. The Fries hope their endowment will inspire undergraduates to pursue a career in research.