Department of Animal Science presents awards of distinction

April 22, 2019

Lincoln, Neb. — The Department of Animal Science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln presented four awards of distinction at their Animal Science Alumni and Friends Reunion on April 12 in Lincoln. The awards recognize the outstanding accomplishments of undergraduate and graduate alumni, and the contributions individuals have made to the department through their commitment to the industry.

Taylor Yaw, BS 2010, of Sussex, Wisconsin was honored with the young alumni of distinction award. Yaw was involved in many activities as a student in the department. He participated in Red Cross blood drives, volunteered at hospitals, and was active in Farm House Fraternity and the Block and Bridle club. Following graduation, Yaw pursued his doctor of veterinary medicine degree at Ross University. After two years, he transferred to Texas A&M to complete his degree, graduating Summa Cum Laude. Yaw's goal is to be a zoological veterinarian. He is currently completing a residency in zoological medicine at the University of Wisconsin and Milwaukee County Zoo. Yaw was recently hired as the head veterinarian at the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi, Texas. His supervisor at the University of Wisconsin says Yaw is an excellent clinician, teacher, and researcher. He will excel in a future zoo or academic position.

Terrance O’Neel, BS 1984, of Friend was honored with the undergraduate of distinction award. After working on the family’s beef and dairy farm following graduation, O’Neel and his wife, Diane, bought 80 feeder pigs and O’Neel Farm was born, representing the fourth generation of the O’Neel family in farming. Today, the O’Neels have a 500-sow farrow-to-finish operation and market 12,000 pigs per year. He has held numerous leadership positions and was a volunteer Main Street speaker where he gave countless speeches to various service groups. In 2008, the O’Neels were recognized by the National Hog Farmer and the National Pork Board with the Environmental Steward Award. Nominator Chris Calkins says, O’Neel is a national leader and an exceptional example of a caring agricultural production operation.

David Buchanan, MS 1977, Ph.D. 1979, of Fargo, North Dakota was honored with the graduate of distinction award. During his graduate program, Buchanan established himself as a gifted teacher in introductory animal science, animal breeding lab and the Japanese training program at Nebraska. From 1980 through 2007, Buchanan compiled an impressive teaching, research and professional service career at Oklahoma State University. During his last two years at OSU, he held a graduates of distinction professorship. In 2007, Buchanan was recruited to become head of animal science at North Dakota State University. Since 2012, he has served as the associate dean in the College of Agriculture, Food Systems and Natural Resources at NDSU. Nominator Merlyn Nielsen says, Buchanan has been able to captivate and develop the imaginations of thousands of students in the subjects of genetics, animal breeding, capstone experience, emerging scientific technologies, ethics and research.

Bill Dicke, BS 1972, MS 1974, of Lincoln was honored with a distinguished service award honoring his outstanding contributions to the department. Dicke has been a supporter of the department since obtaining his degrees, and has been a strong supporter of the Block and Bridle Steak Fry hosted annually in the fall. He has helped with numerous fundraising activities for the department. Dicke was solely responsible for initiating the Klopfenstein Student Excellence Fund in Terry’s honor that funds scholarships for students interested in careers related to the feedyard industry. He also organized and arranged the Timmerman Fund which supports the recruiter/coordinator position for the feedyard management internship program. Dicke continuously seeks out research arrangements with industry funding to be conducted at feedyards. He was selected as the 2013 Block & Bridle Honoree. Nominator Galen Erickson says, Dicke always asks if there is anything we need and then does whatever he can to make it happen.

For more information, contact Clint Krehbiel, 402-472-3571 or clint.krehbiel@unl.edu.

The Department of Animal Science at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln is made up of internationally-recognized faculty who lead programs in breeding and genetics, meat science, non-ruminant and ruminant nutrition, physiology, animal well-being, production and management. To learn more about the department, visit https://animalscience.unl.edu/.