Since it began in 1919, Parents’ Weekend is a tradition that has given Aggie parents and guests a warm welcome and a university wide “HOWDY!” Among the festivities were several big agriculture and life sciences events at which parents were welcomed, students were awarded, and faculty members were recognized. Check out some of the great recaps and photos from this year’s events!

Agricultural Leadership, Education & Communication More than 200 ALEC students, parents, faculty and friends enjoyed the AgriLife Center while honoring the department’s scholarship and special awards for 2012. The Friday afternoon reception included year-in-review displays by the ALEC department student organizations.  Tours of the new AGLS building and the department preceded the event.
Biological & Ag Engineering BAEN held their annual scholarship and awards banquet on Saturday, March 31 at 6pm at the Best Western Atrea in Bryan, TX. Jason Schickedanz, AGSM ’98, was the guest speaker. Dr. Patricia Smith introduced our Alpha Epsilon inductees and Steven Birkenfeld presented Dr. Carmen Gomes the ASABE Professor of the Year Award. We celebrated our student and faculty accomplishments with 125 students, families, faculty, and special guests. Also introduced are the club officers for ASABE and AGSM.
Nutrition and Food Science Banquet On Saturday, March 31, 2012, the Department of Nutrition and Food Science held their annual Scholarship Banquet at the Hilton Hotel in College Station. At the banquet, students and parents had the opportunity to hear about the experiences of former student and keynote speaker, Mrs. Meghan Windham MPH, RD, LD, who now works as a Registered Dietician for Student Health Services at Texas A&M. The reception was also a time to present students from the Department with scholarships for their upcoming year. Awards totaling $31,800 were given to Nutrition and Food Science students this year, all of which were funded by generous donors.
Horticultural Sciences The Department of Horticultural Sciences hosted their annual scholarship and awards banquet on Saturday evening, March 31, 2012 at the John J. Koldus Building on Texas A&M University campus. The banquet provided an opportunity to celebrate the students’ accomplishments and honor the parents and scholarship donors. Approximately $40,000 in scholarships was awarded to deserving Horticulture students for the 2012-2013 Academic Year. The department would like to thank the scholarship donors for their continued support of the students and contributions to the field of Horticulture.
Recreation, Park & Tourism Sciences The first annual Parents Weekend Breakfast was held on Saturday, March 31, 2012 from 8:30 to 10:30 am. Parents enjoyed breakfast tacos, fruit, Danish pastries, coffee and juice. We were very pleased to have the support of Logan West and Patrick Williams from the Development Group, Dr. Danielle Harris and Mr. Harris and a surprise visit from Rebecca Binder and colleagues from Dr. Sams’ group. Everyone enjoyed a nice breakfast. They visited with advisors and professors in a relaxed setting in our 4th floor lobby area.
Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences The Wildlife Society held a Wild Game Dinner on March 31, 2012, at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Bryan. Among the wild game meats served were red deer, nilgai, duck, wild hog, elk, white-tailed deer, pheasant, and axis. The event included a faculty quiz bowl, art contest and raffle/silent auction. Funds raised by the event benefit the department’s nationally recognized Quiz Bowl team and fund programs and workshops to further member experience and education in the wildlife field.