College of Human Sciences Honors Distinguished Alumni and Faculty

Written by Jessica Benham

Texas Tech University's College of Human Sciences announced the recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Award, New Achiever Award, Lifetime Distinguished Service Award and Distinguished Leadership Award.

The Distinguished Alumni Award is given to graduates of Texas Tech's College of Human Sciences who have advanced the reputation of the college through their significant achievements.

The recipients of the Distinguished Alumna Award:

• Margaret C. Carter, a dietitian on the nutrition support team at H.L. Moffitt Cancer and Research Institute, graduated with a Master of Science in food and nutrition in 1970. She has dedicated more than 40 years to helping patients, students and coworkers understand the importance of proper nutrition. Carter is a certified nutrition support dietitian as well as a registered and licensed dietitian with credentials and field experience in the United States and New Zealand.

 

• Peggy L. Hughes, who received her Bachelor of Science in home economics education in 1975 and her Master of Science in home economic education in 1980, is a county extension agent for family and consumer sciences in Dawson County. Over the last seven years, Hughes has successfully acquired $100,000 in grant funds to support county extension programming. She also has worked to build community alliances that enable synergy for community-partnering organizations and agencies, as well as volunteers. Her efforts have helped create the Character County Community Coalition, the Health Education Awareness Resource Team, the Community Anti-Drug Board for Lamesa Independent School District and a Healthwise program coordinated with the Dawson County Commissioners Court.

The New Achiever Award is given to graduates from within the last 12 years who have enhanced the reputation of the College of Human Sciences through their emerging achievements.

The recipient of the New Achiever Award:

• Patti J. Mandrell is cofounder of Refuge Services, the first certified outpatient equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP) program in Texas, and one of the first in the country. Refuge Services is a nonprofit organization that provides EAP services such as hippotherapy and therapeutic riding to individuals, groups, families, agencies and businesses. Mandrell received her bachelor's degree in human development and family studies in 1996, and her master's degree in community counseling from Texas Tech's College of Education in 1998. She was the first professional counselor in Texas to be certified in EAP and is one of only three international supervisors for the advanced certification through the International Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA). One of Mandrell's most prized accomplishments was authoring the only textbook in print that covers EAP:  "Introduction to Equine Assisted Psychotherapy: A Comprehensive Overview." She has also published two curriculums on the use of EAP in therapy settings and has instructed the first EAP course in the country to be offered at a major university -Texas Tech.

The Lifetime Distinguished Service Award is reserved for those who have significantly advanced the college and its goals of excellence in teaching, research and service. Candidates for this award may or may not be graduates of the college.

The recipient of the Lifetime Distinguished Service Award:

• Donald S. Longworth was appointed the third dean of the College of Human Sciences in 1971. During his decade-long term as dean, the number of faculty members with doctoral degrees increased from 17 percent to 82 percent. During his tenure, doctoral programs were approved for each of the areas of study in the college. One of Longworth's prized contributions to the community was donating $5,000 to Texas Tech Professor Billie Wolfe to help launch Lubbock's American Wind Power Center and Museum, which exhibits a collection of rare and unique windmills. Longworth also was appointed by the late former Gov. Ann Richards to serve a five-year term as advisor to the State of Texas Real Estate Center.

The recipient of the Distinguished Leadership Award:

• Suzie E. Johnson graduated with a Bachelor of Science in arts and sciences in 1962, and she and her husband have been supporting Texas Tech for many years. Johnson co-chaired the Horizon Campaign for the Houston area, helping raise more than $40 million and giving $1 million of her own money to the cause. During this campaign, she became aware of the Center for the Study of Addiction and Recovery (CSAR) at Texas Tech's College of Human Sciences. She organized a party of interested parents to hear testimonials from graduates of the program and learn about the center's financial needs. She also designated a gift of $500,000 to the center. In the spring of 2005, she co-chaired the Council on Alcohol and Drugs luncheon in Houston, where the CSAR program at Texas Tech was the honoree.

 

CONTACT: Jo Ann Altman, supervisor of college development and external relations, College of Human Sciences, (806) 742- 3264, or joann.altman@ttu.edu