Notable Notes

• A department reception was held on March 28 to honor the loyal service of Animal Science staff members Joel Van Eenennaam (15 Year Service Award), Dana Van Liew (20 years) and Vince Castillo (40 years). 
      
• Sacramento News & Review (February 22, 2001) published "Sacramento's 100: Our ultra-subjective listing of the region's most interesting citizens." Guess who was #1. Gary Anderson! (Of course, it was alphabetical.) The news journal noted that this "UC Davis animal science professor is an international leader in the field of embryo physiology and genetics, and a close colleague of Ian Wilmut (who brought us Dolly, the cloned sheep). Anderson's current research goal is to isolate embryonic stem cells from pigs, basically trying to figure out how to genetically alter the molecules of their organs so as to one day save human lives. Anderson recently received a $30,000 prize for undergraduate teaching and scholarly achievement. Students give him high marks for his enthusiasm, sense of humor and 'cool' neckties."

RETIREMENTS:

• Vince Castillo retired at the end of 2000 after working more than 40 years at the Avian Sciences Facility. Vince began in 1960 as an assistant poultryman and progressed in his supervisory responsibilities to manager of the avian facility on the Hopkins tract. Vince has been an exceptionally loyal and hardworking departmental member. Originally working with only chickens and turkeys, he gradually added game, wild and pet birds. He dealt with the rapidly expanding government regulations affecting bird care and disease control and helped teach management and bird care to a variety of students. 
       
• Bill Hilden will retire in April after 27 years at the University. In 1981 he left his post as Assistant Dean of Finance at University Extension to come to Animal Science as business officer, replacing Tom Stowers. He has particularly enjoyed the great variety of responsibilities in his job that result from the department's many facilities and activities. He especially appreciates the high quality and down-to-earth attitudes of the Animal Science faculty.
         
• Dave Tafoya started with the department in 1986. First employed as maintenance person on the farm crew, Dave took over the waste management responsibilities when Ed Macias retired. Dave operated and maintained several large trucks and tractors and monitored the distribution of over 8 million pounds of waste a year over 400 acres of campus fields. Waste management is one of the least glamorous but most important jobs supporting our animal facilities. 
       
• Joyce Max has been with Animal Science since March of 1989. She first assisted and then replaced Martha Hayman in the business office, then did the same for Loi Dossa. When the new DaFIS accounting system was introduced in 1997, Joyce quickly became one of the campus' more accomplished users. While looking forward to more walks into town, work in the yard and visits to the family cabin in Trinity County, she says she will miss the faculty, staff and students of Animal Science. We will likely miss her competence and bright smile even more.