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Wind Research Experts Available to Discuss Deadly Tornado Outbreak in North Texas

Karin Slyker — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:38:29 +0000

More than a dozen people are still unaccounted for after a series of tornadoes ripped through north-central Texas on Wednesday night. The hardest area hit was a neighborhood near Granbury, southwest of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, where at least six people were killed and dozens more are injured.

Texas Tech University leads the nation in wind research. The department was born 43 years ago, after an F5 tornado killed 26 people and destroyed portions of downtown Lubbock. Faculty representing the university’s civil engineering department and atmospheric sciences group began to think what could be done to minimize the effects of severe wind events such as tornadoes and hurricanes on lives and structures.

The National Wind Institute (NWI), as it is now known, combines the former Wind Science and Engineering (WiSE) research center, which created the first doctorate in wind science and engineering, with the Texas Wind Energy Institute (TWEI), creator of the only Bachelor of Science degree in wind energy. NWI strengthens the university’s interdisciplinary approach to all things wind.

Through WiSE, scientists and engineers have collected one of the country’s largest repositories of wind data and helped develop the Enhanced Fujita Scale, implemented in 2007 by the National Weather Service.

John Schroeder, professor of atmospheric sciences and director of NWI, brings extensive experience in wind flow characterization and atmospheric measurements, including directing Texas Tech’s hurricane research program and West Texas Mesonet. Schroeder can be reached at (806) 834-5678 or john.schroeder@ttu.edu.

Christopher Weiss, associate professor of atmospheric science, has researched the genesis and low-level wind structure of tornadoes for the past 13 years. He also maintains a research interest in the processes responsible for the generation of the parent thunderstorms. He can speak to the current scientific understanding regarding why tornadoes form and intensify, as well as how the structure of the tornado relates to the observed damage seen at the ground. He can be reached at (806) 834-4712 or chris.weiss@ttu.edu.

Daan Liang, assistant professor of construction engineering technology at Texas Tech, has studied with various probability models how the construction of buildings affects their vulnerability against severe windstorms. Recently, his research is focused on the advancement of remote sensing technology in documenting and assessing wind damages to residential structures. Liang can be reached at (806) 742-3538 or daan.liang@ttu.edu.

Ernst Kiesling, professor of civil engineering and executive director of the National Storm Shelter Association, can speak on the construction and use of residential and community shelters. Kiesling has more than 35 years of experience in the field documenting storm damage, writing performance standards for safe rooms, and verifying compliance of safe rooms with those standards. He can be reached at (806) 742-3476 or ernst.kiesling@ttu.edu.

Larry Tanner, research associate in civil engineering, has years of field experience studying tornado damage and debris. Tanner’s research of approximately 400 manufactured homes damaged by a 2005 tornado that killed 22 people in Evansville, Ind., prompted new standards for mobile home installation in the region. Tanner can be reached at (806) 742-3476 ext. 336 or larry.tanner@ttu.edu.

Darryl James, professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and WISE associate, and his team spent more than a year and a half building a tornado simulator at Reese Center. The device, known as VorTECH, simulates tornadic winds in the mid-EF3 range or less, in an effort to understand how tornadoes do their damage. James can be reached at (806) 742-3563 or darryl.james@ttu.edu. And watch VorTECH at work at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_yLLAus75o.

Bradley Ewing, professor of operations management in the Rawls College of Business, has studied the economic impact of hurricanes and tornadoes for more than 12 years. He can speak to the impact of hurricanes and tornadoes in cities like Oklahoma City; Corpus Christi; Wilmington, N.C.; Miami; and Nashville, Tenn. Ewing can be reached at (806) 834-3939 or bradley.ewing@ttu.edu.

Texas Tech Ag Economics Expert: Monsanto Patent Ruling Helps and Hurts

Leslie Cranford — Mon, 13 May 2013 17:10:07 +0000

Today (May 13) the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of industry giant Monsanto, that an Indiana farmer’s effort to replicate weed-killer-resistant soybeans was a patent infringement.

Texas Tech University agricultural economics expert, Darren Hudson, said the ruling is not likely to change anything from where things are today, and consumers are not likely to see any major changes in any prices or food choices as a result of this ruling.

Hudson is a professor and Larry Combest Agricultural Competitiveness Endowed Chair as well as the director of the Cotton Economics Research Institute in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics.

“This is not particularly shocking, but it makes perfect sense,” Hudson said. “Although the cost of planting seed has risen, one has to recognize that what genetic modification technology did was to shift most of the growing season cost into the seed (herbicide, pesticide, etc.) and lowered the in-season cost. Just remember, no one would plant it if they were not making money with it.”

However, one report released in February showed three corporations control more than half of the global commercial seed market. It found that from 1995-2011, the average cost to plant one acre of soybeans rose 325 percent.

“The degree of market concentration in the seed industry is a bit troubling for the long-term,” Hudson said, “but this ruling will neither enhance or inhibit that concentration.”

Find Texas Tech news, experts and story ideas at www.media.ttu.edu and on Twitter @TexasTechMedia.

CONTACT: Darren Hudson, professor and Combest Chair of Agricultural Competitiveness, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Texas Tech University; (806) 742-1921ext. 272, or darren.hudson@ttu.edu.

Library Receives $900,000 Software Donation for 3-D Animation Tools

Karin Slyker — Fri, 10 May 2013 20:57:56 +0000

Texas Tech University Libraries has received a three-year, in-kind software donation worth $900,000 from Side Effects Software for the Houdini 3-D Animation Tools. The software will enhance the Library’s new Media Lab in Informatics and Scientific Visualization which will focus on 3-D research efforts.

Houdini software also is offered in the 3-D Animation Lab and via 3-D Lab remote access.

The gift is a culmination of a four-year relationship with Side Effects Software, said David Bennett, lab administrator.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer the highest quality scientific visualization software to our users,” Bennett said. “This allows us to continue to raise the bar in offering cutting-edge technology at the library.”

Donald Dyal, dean of Texas Tech Libraries, said the generous software donation provides yet another tool to make accessing information easier.

“We are pleased to offer these state-of-the-art 3-D animation tools to our ever-growing arsenal of electronic resources such as e-journals, databases and e-books,” he said.

Find Texas Tech news, experts and story ideas at www.media.ttu.edu and on Twitter @TexasTechMedia.

CONTACT: Julie Barnett, Communications and Marketing, Texas Tech University Libraries, (806) 834-0718 or julie.barnett@ttu.edu.

Texas Tech Announces New Dean of College of Media & Communication

Leslie Cranford — Wed, 08 May 2013 15:35:03 +0000

Texas Tech University officials announced today (May 8) that David D. Perlmutter will be the new dean of the College of Media and Communication (CoMC), effective July 1. He replaces Dean Jerry Hudson, who is retiring after 35 years at Texas Tech.

Perlmutter has been the director of the School of Journalism & Mass Communication in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences at the University of Iowa since 2009.

The announcement came from Provost Bob Smith; the search committee was headed by Stephen Fritz, interim dean of the Honors College.

“I am delighted that Dr. Perlmutter has accepted our offer to join the university as our new dean of Media and Communication,” Smith said. “He has a sterling record of contributions as an administrator, scholar, teacher and mentor at the Universities of Iowa and Kansas, and Louisiana State University. His accomplishments as director of the University of Iowa School of Journalism & Mass Communication are particularly noteworthy and should serve him well as he moves to Texas Tech.”

Hudson said his successor is an excellent choice to lead the College of Media & Communication.

“Dr. Perlmutter’s academic accomplishments and leadership experience are quite impressive,” Hudson said. “I think he will continue to lead the undergraduate and graduate programs toward growth and excellence.”

“I am humbled and honored to take the reins from Jerry,” Perlmutter said. “In our industry and academic circles he is known as one of the great administrators, as well as a visionary, innovator and bold strategist. He has moved the college forward and brought prominence and respect to the discipline.”

Perlmutter has been in higher education 25 years, and both his parents were professors.

“In all that time, I’ve never been on a campus such as Texas Tech, where everyone – from undergraduates to the chancellor – has taken on such an excitement for the future,” he said. “Texas Tech is such a can-do place, I’m eager to join you and feel right at home.”

Perlmutter previously was a professor in the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Kansas, and received his doctorate from the University of Minnesota in 1996. He earned his bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Pennsylvania.

In addition to his research, teaching, and administrative duties at Iowa, he served on the Provost’s Strategic Global Initiatives Council, the Advisory Council for the Office of the Vice President for Strategic Communication, the campus Fulbright Committee and is an International Programs Faculty Fellow as well as a Starch Faculty Fellow in the College of Liberal & Sciences.

At the University of Kansas he served as associate dean for Graduate Studies and Research and as a member of the University Press of Kansas Editorial Board Committee, and he graduated from the Senior Administrative Fellows Program.

At Louisiana State University he was interim associate dean for Graduate Studies and Research, led the political communication track and won two faculty awards including the main campus-wide award for research, teaching and service.

A documentary photographer, he also is the author or editor of nine books on political communication and persuasion.

He has written several dozen research articles for academic journals as well as more than 200 essays for U.S. and international newspapers and magazines such as Campaigns & Elections, Christian Science Monitor, Editor & Publisher, Los Angeles Times, MSNBC.com, Philadelphia Inquirer and USA Today. He writes a regular column, “Career Confidential,” for the Chronicle of Higher Education and blogs for that publication’s “The Conversation.”

In 2010 he was elected to the Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communication Standing Committee on Research. In 2011 he began a three-year term on the AEJMC Finance Committee.

Perlmutter has been interviewed by most major news networks and newspapers, from the New York Times to CNN, ABC, and The Daily Show. He regularly speaks at industry, academic and government meetings and runs workshops on personal and institutional branding via social media and on promotion and tenure in academia.

Find Texas Tech news, experts and story ideas at www.media.ttu.edu and on Twitter @TexasTechMedia.

CONTACT: Leslie Cranford, Office of Communications & Marketing, Texas Tech University, (806) 742-2136, or leslie.cranford@ttu.edu.

Texas Tech Names 2013-2014 Cheerleader Squads

Leslie Cranford — Tue, 07 May 2013 13:33:33 +0000

The Texas Tech University Spirit Program has named the 32-member co-ed cheer squad and the 14-member all-girl squad for the 2013-2014 season. The all-girl squad was added last year to help fill the need for cheerleaders at more athletic and other events and to involve more students.

For the two squads, a total of 106 students auditioned. For the 32-member co-ed squad there were 40 female and 26 male contenders, and for the 14-member all-girl squad, 40 young women tried out.

“This was the most impressive and all-around skill-packed tryout we have had here at Texas Tech,” said Bruce Bills, cheer coach. “Each athlete trying out did an exceptional job. I’m excited for the new squads and the levels this program is reaching. We have a great group of student leaders and are looking forward to showcasing their talents in the upcoming year.”

Auditions included gameday/spirit, for which they learned and performed the Texas Tech Fight Song and sideline chant; tumbling, including standing tumbling, jumps to tumbling, and running passes; and stunts.

The co-ed team includes seven new and eight veteran women and nine new and eight veteran men. The all-girl squad comprises nine new and five veteran members.

“We could not have imagined the talent we would attract on this team which, by the way, represents students from eight states,” said Stephanie Rhode, director of the spirit program. “I am so proud of Bruce for assembling such an elite group.”

Named for next year’s squad are fourth-year students John Chebret of Humble, Laura Perley of Plano, and Regan Waits of Hot Springs, Ark.; third-years students Calvin Beene of Humble, Noah Cagle of North Richland Hills, Coleigh Cheatham of Aledo, Mathew Golla of Anaheim, Calif., Nicole Mitchell of Abilene, Matt Parkin of Heber, Utah, Hunter Thompson of Leander, Bridgette VanWeezel of Burleson, and Chris Winiecki of Largo, Fla.; second-year students Jamie Balda of Plano, Tony Castro of Cedar Creek, Paige Kloetzer of Deer Park, and Alyssa Rodriguez of San Antonio; and first-year students Christopher Alleman of Houston, Jessie Ayala of San Juan, Charles Beasley of Stafford, Va., Kailea Coels of Rockwall, Joshua Golden of Georgetown, Sarah Howard of Austin, David Laing of Blaine, Minn., Carlie Liles of Crawford, David Lyons of Chicago, Thomas McCarthy of Derry, N.H., Luke Schuster of Palatine, Il., Dominique Sellers of Keller, Dejuan Smith of High Point, N.C., Skyla Thompson of Lometa, Samantha Vonderschmidt of McKinney and Jonathan Wadas of Palatine, Il.

The new all-girl team includes returning students Jessica Castro from Keller; Carli Hinkle from Austin; Taran Hulsey from Weatherford, Deyanna Porter from Lorton, Va., and Kelice Sanders from The Colony; and first-year students Taylor Altom from Houston, Morgan Byrd from Lubbock, Madison Cheatham from Aledo, Khamare Farrar from Cocoa, Fla., Gabriela Garza from Lubbock, Kendall Jones from Cleburne, Ashlyn Massey from North Richland Hills, Kylie Mathews from Forney and Haley Smith from Allen.

Find Texas Tech news, experts and story ideas at www.media.ttu.edu and on Twitter @TexasTechMedia.

CONTACT: Bruce Bills, Texas Tech cheer coach, (806) 742-5433 or bruce.bills@ttu.edu; or Stephanie Rhode, Spirit Program supervisor, (806) 742-5433 or stephanie.rhode@ttu.edu.

Formula SAE Texas Tech to Compete at Michigan International Speedway

Karin Slyker — Mon, 06 May 2013 19:59:17 +0000

A fictional manufacturing company is looking to build a Formula-style race car, intended for the amateur weekend autocross enthusiast. Formula SAE Texas Tech is among many teams rising to the challenge. Formula SAE is a student design competition organized by SAE International, formerly known as the Society of Automotive Engineers. The task encompasses just about all aspects of the automotive industry, including research, design, manufacturing, testing, developing, marketing, management and finances. The competition drives students out of the classroom and allows them to apply textbook theories to real work experiences. Matthew Candler, a senior chemical engineering major from Midland, is president of the interdisciplinary team comprised of students from the Edward Whitacre College of Engineering, Rawls College of Business and the School of Art. Together they have created a working prototype, built from the ground up. “In May, our team will load up the car into trailer and drive it cross-country to the Michigan International Speedway, where we will compete in a series of events against dozens of teams from around the world,” said Candler. “In the past, we’ve always worked down to the wire. This year we started earlier, finished earlier and had five weeks to test and tweak.” So during the past several weeks, their little red and black car might be seen zipping across a commuter parking lot, through red cups strategically placed on a makeshift course. And while the vehicle’s performance is high on their list of priorities, there is much more for the team to consider. “The competition is much more than finishing first on a track,” Candler said. “Our team will be judged in a number of categories, from cost and presentation – to design, endurance and efficiency.” A points system ultimately will determine the winner in each of the categories. Formula SAE Texas Tech first appeared on campus and competed in 2005, but afterwards adviser Brent Guinn says the team ran out of gas. The seniors graduated, and the group that followed ran into funding and registration hurdles. Ultimately, the team disbanded and lay dormant for a few years. Justin Rivera, president of Formula SAE Texas Tech from 2009 to 2011, sparked new interest in revitalizing the team. In that first year, the group reorganized, raised money and helped out at the Michigan event. By learning the intricacies of the competition from the inside-out, the students gained perspective. In subsequent years, the team has entered a vehicle, each one improving upon the last. “There are so many logistics to making this work, but organization and momentum is key,” Guinn said. “Our goal this year is to successfully complete all the events.” Together, the 20-member team raised more than $30,000 through 27 sponsorships to build the car. Guinn says sponsorship gives these companies an inside track toward building relationships with the next generation of engineers. “Many students do not take opportunities like this while they are still in school,” Guinn said. “Involvement like this speaks well on resumes and at job fairs. From project management to deliverability, these men and women demonstrate that they have something extra.” Candler, a chemical engineering major, already has a job lined up after graduation and credits this experience as preparation for a brighter future. Find Texas Tech news, experts and story ideas at www.media.ttu.edu and on Twitter @TexasTechMedia. CONTACT: Matthew Candler, president, Texas Tech Formula SAE Team, (432) 638-7318 or matthew.candler@ttu.edu.

Texas Tech Law Grads Rank Best of Texas Public Schools on Bar Exam

Cory Chandler — Fri, 03 May 2013 16:16:06 +0000

With a 95.45 percent first-time pass rate, Texas Tech University School of Law graduates led all Texas public law schools on the February 2013 Texas Bar Examination.

“We are very proud of everyone’s effort on this exam and hope to be able to continue this level of performance into the future,” said Darby Dickerson, Texas Tech Law dean. “I want to extend a special thanks to Professor Cassie Christopher for her efforts this year in establishing the Office of Bar Preparation Resources.”

Twenty-one of Texas Tech Law’s 22 test takers passed the exam, putting the law school’s average well above the 84.78 percent pass rate for all graduates of Texas’ nine law schools and only .11 percent behind Baylor Law School, which had the highest rate. The overall rate for first-time examinees – including graduates from schools in other states and attorneys already licensed in jurisdictions outside of Texas – was 80.74 percent.

“We’re so pleased with the bar pass success of our students,” said Christopher, a visiting assistant professor and director of bar preparation resources. “I attribute their success to their determination and work ethic, both in law school and during the study period. Most of these students studied full-time for two months to prepare for the bar exam, which was an incredible investment of time and effort on their parts. They mastered 23 subject areas and demonstrated their knowledge over the course of two and a half days of essays, multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions and a simulated writing assignment.”

For more information on the results, visit http://www.ble.state.tx.us/Stats/2011_2017/stats_0213.htm

Find more information about Texas Tech University School of Law at www.law.ttu.edu.

Find Texas Tech news, experts and story ideas at www.media.ttu.edu and on Twitter @TexasTechMedia.

Contact: Cory Chandler, communications coordinator, Texas Tech School of Law, (806) 742-3990 ext. 249, or cory.chandler@ttu.edu.

Texas Tech Cotton Economists Unveil New Global Cotton Outlook Analysis

Norman Martin — Wed, 01 May 2013 19:30:06 +0000

A new cotton outlook analysis from Texas Tech University’s Cotton Economics Research Institute notes that global growth is projected to remain at 3 percent over the next five years, then slow by half a point during the following five.

“The global outlook for cotton remains less optimistic as a result of a weaker global economy in the years ahead as advanced countries continue to work on narrowing current output gaps and deficits,” said Darren Hudson, director of the institute.

Meanwhile U.S. growth is expected to slow; from 2.1 percent last year to 1.8 percent this year amid a large output gap emerging from a series of global financial calamities dating back to 2008.

In terms of cotton production, Hudson said productivity gains have slowed for the time being, and yield growth is projected to decelerate. In the absence of new yield-enhancing technologies and flat acreage, Hudson said cotton production growth is lower than the long-term average.

There is a positive aspect, though. Looking out a decade, Hudson said, world cotton production is projected to increase from 118 million bales to around 138 million bales. The leading producers of cotton are projected to be India (26 percent), China (23 percent), United States (12 percent), Pakistan (9 percent) and Brazil (6 percent).

Separately, annual forecasts released by the institute show that cotton mill use is projected to grow by about 32 million bales over the next 10 years. Mill use is projected to remain concentrated in Asia.

Find Texas Tech news, experts and story ideas at www.media.ttu.edu and on Twitter @TexasTechMedia.

CONTACT: Norman Martin, unit coordinator, College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, Texas Tech University, (806) 742-2802 or norman.martin@ttu.edu.

Texas Tech Director Emeritus of TIEHH Finalist for Texas Environmental Excellence Award

John Davis — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 21:50:11 +0000

A Texas Tech University professor of environmental toxicology has been named a finalist in the Individual category for the 2013 Texas Environmental Excellence Award by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).

Ronald J. Kendall, director emeritus of The Institute of Environmental and Human Health (TIEHH) and also a special assistant to the president in the Office of the President, will be recognized and receive his award May 1 during the Texas Environmental Excellence Awards banquet in Austin.

“I am very honored to be selected as a finalist for a Texas Environmental Excellence Award by the TCEQ Environmental Excellence Awards Program and Gov. Perry,” Kendall said. “I also appreciate the recognition this brings to our program at Texas Tech University.”

This award is considered among the highest environmental awards in the State of Texas. Recommended by a Blue Ribbon Committee of environmental experts from public and private industry, the awards honor individuals, businesses and organizations that have created successful programs that conserve natural resources, reduce waste and prevent pollution.

The committee, with representatives from industry, government, civic organizations, schools, and state-wide environmental groups, recommended Kendall to Gov. Rick Perry and the TCEQ Commissioners.

Created by the Texas Legislature in 1993, the awards program reflects the goals of the TCEQ itself: to protect Texas human and natural resources and ensure clean air, clean water and the safe management of waste. Awards are given in nine categories, including agriculture, civic/community, education, individual, innovative operations/management, pollution prevention, technical/technology, water conservation and youth.

During Kendall’s tenure as director of TIEHH, which he founded, close to $60 million in grant funding was attracted for environmental toxicology research.

With his leadership in a collaborative effort, his latest textbook, Wildlife Toxicology: Emerging Contaminant and Biodiversity Issues, published by CRC Press, went on to become an international best-seller.

Kendall served as the founding chairman of the Department of Environmental Toxicology, which is the academic component of the environmental toxicology program. The graduate program in environmental toxicology has been recognized with national and international acclaim and supports outstanding graduate students with excellent job placement at the master’s and doctoral levels in academia, industry, and state and federal government.

In 2009, TIEHH was selected to receive the 2009 Texas Environmental Excellence Award in the area of education.

Find Texas Tech news, experts and story ideas at www.media.ttu.edu and on Twitter @TexasTechMedia.

CONTACT: Ron Kendall, special assistant to the president, Office of the President, Texas Tech University, (806) 885-0238 or ron.kendall@tiehh.ttu.edu

Texas Tech Rodeo Team Members Headed to Nationals

Leslie Cranford — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 15:20:39 +0000

By turning in a strong showing at the Tarleton State University Stampede Rodeo April 18-20 in Stephenville, the Texas Tech University women’s rodeo team qualified to compete in the College National Finals Rodeo in June in Casper, Wyo.

The women’s team made school history last summer, winning its first national championship at the 64th annual College National Finals Rodeo.

The team’s finish in Stephenville put the group in second place in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association’s Southwest Region.

Members of the women’s team include Taylor Langdon, a senior exercise sports major from Aubrey; Shelby Janssen, a junior general studies major from Austin, Minn.; Carley Richardson, a senior animal and food sciences-nursing major from Pampa; and Traci Bailey, a junior agriculture education major from Centerville, Wash.

Prominent performances at the Tarleton Stampede Rodeo included:

• Barrel Racing: Langdon, second in the finals; fourth overall. The placing solidified her position as the ‘2013 Southwest Region Champion Barrel Racer.’

• Goat Tying: Cierra Kunesh, a junior animal science major from McCloud, Mont. seventh in the finals; sixth overall

• Goat Tying: Bailey, seventh overall

• Calf Roping: Layne Norton, a junior agriculture and applied economics major from Carlsbad, N.M., second in go-round one, third in the finals, fourth overall

• Saddle Bronc Riding: Chance Gasperson, a junior finance major from Decatur, second in the short-go, third overall

Texas Tech rodeo coach Chris Guay also noted that the Texas Tech men individual qualifiers for the national finals rodeo include Garrett Hale, a junior agriculture and applied economics major from Snyder, who was second in calf roping at Tarleton; and Zach Peterson, an agriculture and applied economics major from Afton, Iowa, who placed third in bull riding.

CONTACT: Moriah Beyers, Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Texas Tech University, (806) 742-2805 ext. 248, or moriah.beyers@ttu.edu.