The Department of Animal Science with the U of A System Division of Agriculture and the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences recently announced its 2021 Awards of Distinction in a reception at the Don Tyson Agricultural Center in Fayetteville.

The Awards of Distinction recipients were: Graduate of Distinction, Scott Fry; Advanced Graduates of Distinction, Tim Crawley (M.S.) and Ty Baublits (Ph.D.); and Friend of the Department, the Gary and Gaywyn Golden Family.

The Graduate of Distinction Awards recognize animal science alumni who have impacted the field of animal science, contributed to their community and serve as role models for current and future animal science students. The Friend of the Department is someone who has specifically supported and/or made significant contributions to the Department of Animal Science.

Jiangchao Zhao was also recognized with the Early Career Recognition of Professional Excellence (RoPE) Award from the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station. This award was established to recognize and reward full-time Agricultural Experiment Station employees who have demonstrated sustained outstanding performance during their early career (less than seven years).

The department extends its appreciation to J.F. Meullenet and Nathan McKinney from the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, as well as Deacue Fields and Lona Robertson from Bumpers College, for their attendance.

Scott Fry — Graduate of Distinction

Fry is a native Arkansan who received his B.S. in animal science (2005) from the U of A. During his time at the U of A, Fry held leadership roles within Alpha Gamma Rho and served as a Bumpers College Ambassador. In addition to growing up on a family beef cattle operation, Fry's exposure to undergraduate research projects and great mentors in the Department of Animal Science led to his interest in pursuing graduate degrees in animal science. He completed his M.S. (2007) and Ph.D. (2010) in animal science and nutrition from North Carolina State University, where his research focused on trace mineral metabolism in cattle and swine. While at NCSU he taught undergraduate animal nutrition and husbandry classes and volunteered at local 4-H youth events.

After completing his graduate program, he held swine research and technical roles at both Cargill Animal Nutrition and Elanco Animal Health. Currently he is the director of technical service for micronutrients, a global leader in trace mineral nutrition, where he works across beef, dairy, swine and poultry segments in the U.S. In this role, Fry oversees a team of technical managers responsible for supporting sales and marketing and conducting research with key universities and research organizations. In addition to leading this team, Fry supports functional areas of the business and is involved in new product development. Fry has conducted trace mineral and feed additive research in ruminants, swine and poultry, and has authored or co-authored over 30 peer-reviewed papers.

Fry and his wife Kayte (Arkansas '06) live outside Raleigh, North Carolina, with their two boys, Henry and Harrison.

Tim Crawley — Advanced Graduate of Distinction (M.S.)

Crawley received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in animal science from the U of A. His research focus was on methods of freezing and thawing embryos. After attaining his master's degree, Crawley was employed as manager of the Arkansas Dairy Herd Improvement Association. He left this position to work as a metering sales representative for the National Dairy Herd Improvement Association and traveled to New Zealand, throughout the U.S. and to nearly every province in Canada.

In 1995, Crawley married Nikki Stewart. They returned to the dairy business, caring for his family's 650 acres and building his herd back to 300 cows. Their daughters, Jessica and Brittany, grew up on the same land as Crawley and were homeschooled by their parents within walking distance of their grandparents. Jessica graduated from the College of the Ozarks with a degree in dairy science. Brittany earned her degree in agricultural business from the U of A.

Over the years, he has served as a member of the board of directors for the American Milking Shorthorn Society, Midwest Dairy Association, Heart of America DHIA, Farm Credit of Western Arkansas, Benton County Farm Bureau, Benton County Fair Board and Farmers Cooperative Association. The Crawley Family was awarded the Northwest District Farm Family of the Year in 2005 and recognized as the 2020 Member of Distinction for the Southeast Area of Dairy Farmers of America.

Ty Baublits — Advanced Graduate of Distinction (Ph.D.)

Baublits received his A.S. from Garden City Community College in 1999 and B.S. in animal science from Oklahoma Panhandle State University in 2001. He received his M.S. and Ph.D. in animal science from the U of A in 2003 and 2006, respectively.

After completing his graduate work, Baublits was employed as a food scientist in Research & Development at Tyson Foods. He has held various positions in R&D at Tyson Foods and is currently senior director, Central Research and Fresh at Tyson Foods. In his current role, Baublits leads a team of 20 scientists conducting research and developing products in product areas, including retail case ready beef and pork, retail tray-pack poultry and poultry rendering. Additionally, he leads a team of scientists devoted to research and operational support of Tyson Foods' poultry food safety systems and scientists devoted to research in sustainability for Tyson Foods. He also leads a team of scientists devoted to functional ingredient research to enhance shelf life and product quality to minimize food waste. Baublits has numerous published research articles and patents through his research tenure as well as significant financial savings and value-added product sales that have been achieved during his tenure at Tyson Foods.

Baublits is married to Crystal, and they have three boys: Owen, Hayden and Chance. 

Gary (posthumously) and Gaywyn Golden Family — Friend of the Department

Gary Golden was the first in his family to go to college, beginning at Southern Arkansas University where he met Gaywyn. After their marriage, he transferred to the U of A, where he received a degree in animal science in 1974. Later, in 2012 he was named a U of A Department of Animal Science Graduate of Distinction. Gary was honored to serve on the Board of Trustees at SAU. Gary was vice chair and chief executive officer of First State Bank of DeQueen, where he had worked since 2001. He was a member of First Assembly of God Church in DeQueen. Church was a priority in Gary's life and he proudly served on committees, church boards and was a deacon through the years. In 2019, the Goldens established the Gary L. and Gaywyn Golden Family Endowed Scholarship in Animal Science.