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ASU Ag Instructor Honored

October 15, 2013

Corey Owens, instructor of animal science and research associate in the Angelo State University Agriculture Department, has been named the 2013 Outstanding Young Range Professional by the Texas Section, Society for Range Management (TSSRM).

The award is presented annually to a TSSRM member who has demonstrated extraordinary potential and promise as a range management professional.  Owens received his award at the recent TSSRM Annual Meeting in Fort Worth.

According to his nomination letter, “Corey’s accomplishments to range management cover all facets of the Society for Range Management.  He excels in research, teaching, and public and professional service, as well as public outreach.  In essence, he exemplifies the definition of an Outstanding Young Range Professional.”

Owens said, “Receiving an award voted on by a professional organization of your peers is an honor in itself.  Receiving that award at 31 that folks up to the age of 40 are eligible for is extremely humbling.  It’s a great feeling to be recognized for my hard work and dedication to the field of range management, and I hope to continue to improve upon the foundations established by previous winners of this award.”

A member of ASU’s agriculture faculty since 2007, Owens earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in animal science at Angelo State.  In addition to teaching classes, he mentors graduate student research projects and oversees management decisions at ASU’s Management, Instruction and Research (MIR) Center, more commonly called the ASU Ranch.  He formed the Recruiting Ag Majors (RAMS) student organization and serves as coordinator of the ASU Rodeo Team and advisor to the Block and Bridle Club and Delta Tau Alpha animal science honor society.

In the community, Owens serves on the San Angelo Roping Fiesta Committee and on six committees of the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo Association.  He chairs the Fall Spectacular Lamb and Goat Show, organizes Rancher Workshops in Big Lake, Sonora and Bronte, and is an instructor for the Texas Agri-Life Extension Service Vet Camp.  He is co-chair of the FFA and 4-H Region II Wildlife Contest and State Wildlife Contest.

For TSSRM, Owens was instrumental in forming the Young Professionals Committee and chaired it for two years.  He is currently chair of the College Activities Committee.

Owens is also a partner with his father and grandfather in the Owens Ranch near Barnhart.  In addition to raising and marketing cattle and goats, the ranch’s operations focus on range and wildlife management and natural resource conservation.

Owens is the second ASU faculty member to be named TSSRM’s Outstanding Young Range Professional.  Dr. Cody Scott, professor of animal science, won the award in 2007.

TSSRM is a division of the Society for Range Management, a professional society dedicated to supporting persons who work with rangelands and have a commitment to their sustainable use.  More information is available online at http://texas.rangelands.org/.