WEST LAFAYETTE — Janelle Deatsman, Leesburg, will be among six alumni who will be honored by the Purdue University Department of Animal Sciences with Distinguished Animal Sciences Alumni Awards. Alumni are selected based on demonstrated excellence in industry, academia, governmental service, or other endeavors as exemplified by leadership, community service and professional accomplishments.

The Distinguished Alumni program provides an opportunity for the animal sciences department to pay tribute to outstanding alumni and allows our students and community to learn more about the successful careers of our graduates. The awards ceremony will take place at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, in the Dean’s Auditorium of Pfendler Hall on Purdue’s Campus.

Early Career Award recipients include:

• Janelle Deatsman of Leesburg, Ind. Janelle graduated from Purdue University in 2000 with dual degrees in animal sciences and agricultural communications in youth development and agricultural education. In 2002, she was promoted to her current position with Maple Leaf Farms as Communications Manager. Janelle currently serves on the board of directors for the Purdue Agricultural Alumni Association. Janelle, her husband, Brian and two sons, Collin and Landon, run a growing herd of show and commercial beef cattle in addition to being a part of their family’s farming operation, Deatsman Grain farm.
• Sarah Wagler from Hope, Indiana. Sarah graduated from Purdue University in 2003 with a bachelor’s of science degree in animal sciences, and in 2006 with a master of science degree in Youth Development and Agricultural Education. Sarah currently works as a field representative for Dairy Farmers of America, and serves as Vice Chair for the Indiana Board of Animal Health, Vice President for the Indiana Dairy Producers and is a mentor in the Purdue Ag Alumni Mentoring Program. Sarah, her husband, Justin, and daughter, Emma now reside near Morgantown, Ind.

Mid-Career Award recipients include:

• John Eggert of Wheatfield, Ind. Dr. Eggert received his doctorate from Purdue University Animal Sciences in 1999. He currently is the Technical Director for Topigs Norsvin USA, the world’s second largest international swine breeding stock company, based in Vught, The Netherlands. Dr. Eggert remains active in the animal sciences department by participating in student career panels, alumni industry networking events, and supporting Purdue athletics. In his free time, he is an assistant coach for the Indiana Ice, Indiana Rebels and Kankakee Valley High school softball teams. John and his wife, Amy celebrated 25 years of marriage this summer. Their daughter, Lexie, is a sophomore at Xavier University studying Athletic Training.
• Janet Lynch-Rippe of north-central Ind. Janet graduated from Purdue with a BS in Animal Sciences in 1993 and from Kansas State University with her Master of Science degree in 1996. After two internships with Heartland Cattle Company in southwest Nebraska, Janet became a full- time staff member as their Director of Research and Information Transfer. Janet has worked on a cattle station in Australia for six months, and participated on the December 2007 USMEF Trade Mission group to Europe. Janet, her husband, Gail and two children, Allison and Nathan, keep busy with 4-H, sports and church activities.

Lifetime Award recipients include:

• Ross Jabaay of north-west Ind. Ross graduated from Purdue with a bachelor of science in animal sciences in 1968 and received his master of science degree, also from Purdue in 1973. Ross retired from Hormel Foods in 2014 and since then he has worked as an instructor at Iowa State University. Ross is currently on the Board of Directors for the Central Iowa Section of the American Society for Quality, and is a member of the Board of Directors for WG Provisions. Ross met his wife Judy while an undergrad at Purdue, and they have two children and three grandchildren.
• Ronald Randel from Lewis, Kan. Ronald graduated from Purdue Animal Sciences with his Ph.D. in 1971. Dr. Randel worked at Texas A and M University where he focused his research on reproductive physiology of tropically adapted cattle. He has received many awards from universities and organizations throughout his career. Dr. Randel has mentored 32 doctoral candidates and 47 master of science candidates. Dr. Randel’s wife, Colleen, graduated from Purdue with her master’s degree in 1967, and together they have a son, Lowell.

The above recipients will be recognized at 3 p.m. followed by a reception. For any questions, please contact JoAnn Galyon at [email protected] or (765) 494-4806.