More than 70 faculty and staff members of NMSU's College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences were honored Friday, May 17, at the Recognition of Service awards.

"People are a valuable asset," said Lowell Catlett. "It's not the bricks and mortar that matter; it's the people. I don't think you can recognize people too much."

This year the college recognized individuals employed for five, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 years. Promotion and tenured professors and a few members of the U.S. Department of Agriculture were also recognized.

Jeff Bader, an NMSU alum, was recognized for 20 years of service to the college. He started out as a 4-H agent and is now the northern district department head.

"I've learned more here than I could have in any other job," he said. "We've kind of had to be a jack-of-all-trades. You can't ever quit learning in this position, and that fits my personality."

Bader graduated from NMSU in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science in animal science. In 2004 he earned his doctorate in higher education administration.

Dennis Hallford and Bobbie Widner were recognized for their 35 years of service to the college. Hallford is a professor in the animal and range sciences department. Widner is a senior fiscal assistant of the 4-H and Youth Development Program.
Widner cited the variety of people she's met and worked with as one of the highlights of her career at NMSU.

"I've been very fortunate to work for three directors that I thought were exceptionally nice," she said.

Recognized for 30 years of service were Rick Richardson, distinguished department head of the 4-H and Youth Development Program, and Tim Ross, academic department head of animal and range sciences.

The college also recognized 13 of its professors who received promotion and tenure this year, including Barbara Chamberlin, Thomas Dominguez, Gaylene Fasenko, Gerald Hawkes, Brian Hurd, Keith Mandabach, Rossana Sallenave, Samuel Smallidge, Carol Turner, Jason Turner, Mindy Turner, Adrian Unc and Kourtney Vaillancourt.
"We're very proud of the culture and continuity of the college," Catlett said.