A recent study by Texas A&M AgriLife indicates high school graduates who participated in Texas 4-H for at least two years were better equipped to complete postsecondary education and acquired more marketable skills when compared to the general student population of Texas.

The study was conducted as a joint project of the Texas 4-H program of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences in  Texas A&M’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Bryan-College Station. It was funded, in part, by the Bradberry Chair endowment and the Sequor Youth Development Initiative, along with the Texas 4-H Youth Development Foundation.

“The nationwide 4-H program has evolved over the years, as has the Texas 4-H program,” said Jeff Hyde, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension director. “While it has continued its rural and agricultural traditions, 4-H has also extended into urban areas and placed additional emphasis on life skills development.

“The 4-H program has also widened the variety of academic interest areas it provides its members, including a number of STEM learning opportunities. The depth and breadth of experiences Texas 4-H provides youth for personal and academic development not only help prepare them for academic success, they also help prepare them for success in life.”

As a nontraditional student with a heart for civic service, Adam Beltran found his way to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the place he said provided him with opportunities to use his passions and past experiences to begin the process of drafting a legislative bill promoting the conservation of native bees. 

While many students participate in the political process by volunteering civically or voting on legislation in college, not many get to say they’ve worked to propose legislation before graduation. 

Beltran, a recent graduate of the Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences at Texas A&M University, realized this dream when he walked across the stage in December — a goal he said was 17 years in the making.

The Texas A&M University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences celebrated faculty member career milestones and honored recipients of the Dean’s Outstanding Achievement Awards and Association of Former Students awards on April 29 in a virtual ceremony.

The ceremony was officiated by Patrick J. Stover, Ph.D., vice chancellor of Texas A&M AgriLife, dean for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and director of Texas A&M AgriLife Research.

“Not only are we recognizing excellence in teaching, research and service, but we are recognizing how that excellence was achieved in the midst of very trying circumstances,” Stover said.

“Our faculty and staff rose to the occasion in delivering on our mission, serving our students and stakeholders in the midst of the pandemic,” he added. “The excellence achieved by all our award winners reflects the excellence we’ve seen all across the College.”