Education (Colleges & Universities)
Here's a look at documents from public, private and community colleges in the U.S.
Featured Stories
A lifelong bond with the Texas A&M horse judging team
AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 17 -- Texas A&M University, a component of the public university system in Texas, posted the following news from its agriculture program:
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A lifelong bond with the Texas A&M horse judging team
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For Tom Bigbee '77, being a part of the Texas A&M Horse Judging Team wasn't just a college activity - it was the beginning of a lifelong commitment to mentorship, community and giving back.
Tom and his wife, Donna, have spent decades helping students find the same confidence and camaraderie from the judging team that shaped his own Texas A&M University experience. Their latest
... Show Full Article
AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 17 -- Texas A&M University, a component of the public university system in Texas, posted the following news from its agriculture program:
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A lifelong bond with the Texas A&M horse judging team
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For Tom Bigbee '77, being a part of the Texas A&M Horse Judging Team wasn't just a college activity - it was the beginning of a lifelong commitment to mentorship, community and giving back.
Tom and his wife, Donna, have spent decades helping students find the same confidence and camaraderie from the judging team that shaped his own Texas A&M University experience. Their lateststep - a planned gift of real estate to the Dr. Gary D. Potter Horse Judging Endowment - will help ensure the team's continued success for generations to come.
"What I got from my time on the horse judging team went far beyond ribbons or contests," Bigbee said. "It gave me confidence, lifelong friends and a sense of purpose. That's why Donna and I do what we do. Supporting the team now is a way of giving back and helping the next generation grow the way I did."
A coach's influence that never faded
Tom grew up in the Texas 4-H Youth Development Program. By the time he arrived at Texas A&M to major in animal science, he was already familiar with horsemen like B.F. Yeates and Gary Potter.
Yeates, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service state horse specialist at the time, and Potter, Ph.D., an equine science professor and the horse judging coach in the Texas A&M Department of Animal Science, helped co-lead the Texas 4-H Horse Program.
Bigbee's Texas 4-H judging experience inspired him to join the Texas A&M Horse Judging Team as a sophomore. He joined a talented four-member team that traveled to competitions throughout the country with Potter. Many of his fondest memories came from those trips, not just during competitions but in the long hours spent on the road together.
"Dr. Potter always rode shotgun," Bigbee reminisced. "He never drove. So, he trusted his life to four teenagers in a station wagon driving from College Station to Columbus, Ohio."
That trip to Ohio in the fall of 1974 remains one of Bigbee's favorite memories.
"We were the first team from Texas A&M to win the All-American Quarter Horse Congress, and we stopped by Claiborne Farms in Kentucky and met Secretariat, the Triple Crown winner," Bigbee said. "It was a special experience. There are so many good memories and experiences that helped shape who I am."
Support the next generation of champions
Gifts to the Department of Animal Science help Texas A&M students pursue hands-on learning and national excellence in programs like horse judging.
Give now
Giving back
After graduation, Bigbee stayed connected to the horse judging team while building his career. He first worked for the Arabian Horse Registry in Denver and then for the Paint Horse Association in Fort Worth. But it was his interest in flying that ultimately led to a 30-year career as a commercial airline pilot.
In those early years, his support came in small but meaningful ways. He volunteered his time, $100 donations to meet specific needs and often paid for the team's dinner at contests.
Then in 2002, after his mother, whom he described as "quite the horse woman," passed away, Bigbee decided to honor both her and Potter with a more substantial gift for the Texas A&M Horse Judging Team.
He approached the Texas A&M Foundation, where Glen Pittsford '72, former vice president of planned giving, suggested creating an endowment. That conversation led to the establishment of the Dr. Gary D. Potter Horse Judging Endowment, marking the beginning of the Bigbees' long-standing relationship with the Texas A&M Foundation.
"If you're passionate about something that is a result of being an Aggie, you should support it," Bigbee said. "The team gave me so much, and now it's my turn to make sure other students have the same opportunities."
Helping the next generation succeed
When Sarah Schobert Moriarty joined the Department of Animal Science as an equine lecturer and horse judging coach in 2020, former students immediately encouraged her to connect with the Bigbees.
"Several of them said, 'Make sure you reach out to Tom. He'll want to be a part of anything to support the team,'" Schobert Moriarty said.
After hearing about the program's long-term needs to travel, entry fees, hotels and other expenses, the Bigbees quickly stepped in to help. Together, they strengthened the Potter Endowment and expanded its reach for students.
They also encouraged Schobert Moriarty to revive "Run for the Roses," a livestreamed Kentucky Derby fundraiser benefiting the team. For the past two years, the event has been held at the Thomas G. Hildebrand, DVM '56 Equine Complex in College Station.
"Tom and Donna just want to help good kids, however they can," Schobert Moriarty explained, reflecting on how the Bigbees have also supported several students with scholarships over the years.
Each year, the Bigbees continue to treat the entire team to dinner after the American Quarter Horse Association, AQHA, World Show championship in Oklahoma City.
"They love to interact with the team and encourage them to give back," Schobert Moriarty said.
Under Schobert Moriarty's leadership, the team has regained its competitive edge. The team was the most winning horse judging team in the country for 2021, 2023 and 2024, earning national championships at the AQHA World Show in 2023 and 2024 and the champion team at the All-American Quarter Horse Congress in 2022 and 2025 - the same competition Bigbee's team won in 1974.
Building trust and ensuring stability
For more than a decade, the Bigbees have planned their giving with leadership from the Texas A&M Foundation and the horse judging team.
Although they live in Oklahoma, the couple frequently visits Aggieland for events and volunteer activities. Two years ago, they bought a second home with the goal of spending more time in College Station.
When the couple updated their estate plans, they decided to include their College Station home as a planned real estate gift - one final and financially significant way to support the Potter endowment.
Schobert Moriarty describes the Bigbees' gift as "historic" because it will create security and stability for the team for many years to come.
Reflecting on their support of the judging team, Tom and Donna explained how it was the relationships built over time that helped guide the various ways they could support the team financially.
For Tom and Donna Bigbee, supporting the horse judging team is about gratitude - to the people, experiences and the program that so greatly influenced their lives.
To learn more about planned real estate gifts and the various ways you can support student programs and activities, contact Jansen Merrill '18, senior director of development at the Texas A&M Foundation, jmerrill@txamfoundation.com.
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Original text here: https://agrilifetoday.tamu.edu/2025/11/17/a-lifelong-bond-with-the-texas-am-horse-judging-team/
2025-26 Muhammad Afzaal Hussain Memorial Scholarship awardees announced
ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico, Nov. 17 -- The University of New Mexico posted the following news:
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2025-26 Muhammad Afzaal Hussain Memorial Scholarship awardees announced
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The Muhammad Afzaal Hussain Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to incoming or returning international undergraduate or graduate students at The University of New Mexico from the Middle East or South Asia who demonstrate strong leadership and service.
The Muhammad Afzaal Hussain Memorial Scholarship was established through a lead gift from Sarah and Doug Brown, former chair of the UNM Board of Regents and dean emeritus
... Show Full Article
ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico, Nov. 17 -- The University of New Mexico posted the following news:
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2025-26 Muhammad Afzaal Hussain Memorial Scholarship awardees announced
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The Muhammad Afzaal Hussain Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to incoming or returning international undergraduate or graduate students at The University of New Mexico from the Middle East or South Asia who demonstrate strong leadership and service.
The Muhammad Afzaal Hussain Memorial Scholarship was established through a lead gift from Sarah and Doug Brown, former chair of the UNM Board of Regents and dean emeritusof the UNM Anderson School of Management, to commemorate Hussain's dedication to community service. The scholarship helps cover books, supplies, room and board, transportation and other educational expenses related to international students' study costs at UNM.
Awardees include:
Bhumi Milan Thanki
Bhumi Milan Thanki, a graduate accounting student at the Anderson School of Management, is an active campus leader dedicated to creating a welcoming and supportive environment at UNM. Her volunteer work focuses on building an inclusive community and developing practical career pathways, particularly for international students adapting to a new country and campus life.
She has served as vice president of community services for Delta Sigma (Aug 2022-Dec 2022), public relations manager (Nov 2021-Jan 2023) and vice president for Hindu Yuva (Jan 2023-May 2023). She currently works as a student success leader at the Anderson School of Management (Aug 2022-May 2025).
"Across everything I do, my goal is consistent," Thanki said. "I work to expand access, foster belonging, and turn potential into real opportunities for UNM students and for the broader Albuquerque community. I am grateful for the chance to serve and excited to keep building programs that welcome students, celebrate culture and open doors."
Haasika Jagirapu
Haasika Jagirapu, an undergraduate computer science student in her third year at the School of Engineering, is a dedicated community volunteer who has contributed more than 300 hours of service to Albuquerque organizations in recent years. Her volunteer work includes time with Presbyterian Hospital, Roadrunner Food Bank, the American Red Cross, school tutoring programs and local community cleanups. At UNM, she is actively involved in the Hindu Student Association.
"My volunteering experiences have shaped how I see the world and the role I want to play in it," Jagirapu said. "They will continue to guide me as I move forward in life. Volunteering and civic engagement are incredibly important, and I am honored to be chosen for the fall 2025 Muhammad Afzaal Hussain Memorial Scholarship."
About Muhammad Afzaal Hussain
Originally from Pakistan, Muhammad Afzaal Hussain moved to New Mexico to pursue a graduate degree in regional planning at The University of New Mexico. While at UNM, he was active in the international student community and ran for president of the Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA), winning with 72% of the vote.
During his term, he chaired the Student Fee Review Board and advocated for greater transparency and equitable allocation of funds. Following his time at UNM, Hussain served as planning and land use director for the City of Espanola. His legacy of service and leadership continues to inspire future generations of students at UNM and beyond.
For more information visit impactunm.unmfund.org.
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Original text here: https://news.unm.edu/news/202526-muhammad-afzaal-hussain-memorial-scholarship-awardees-announced
'Tis the season: Tips for keeping your home safe during the holiday season, courtesy of OSU Extension
STILLWATER, Oklahoma, Nov. 17 -- Oklahoma State University posted the following news:
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'Tis the season: Tips for keeping your home safe during the holiday season, courtesy of OSU Extension
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Media Contact: Dean Ruhl | Communications & Media Relations Specialist | 405-744-9152 | dean.ruhl@okstate.edu
Home fires are most common in the winter months, peaking in December and January, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
As the holiday season approaches and with it colder weather, extravagantly decorated houses and packed kitchens Oklahoma State University Extension offers
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STILLWATER, Oklahoma, Nov. 17 -- Oklahoma State University posted the following news:
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'Tis the season: Tips for keeping your home safe during the holiday season, courtesy of OSU Extension
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Media Contact: Dean Ruhl | Communications & Media Relations Specialist | 405-744-9152 | dean.ruhl@okstate.edu
Home fires are most common in the winter months, peaking in December and January, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
As the holiday season approaches and with it colder weather, extravagantly decorated houses and packed kitchens Oklahoma State University Extension offersup tips to keep your house standing over the winter months.
It all starts with electricity
Overloaded outlets and loose cords are among the primary causes of this surge in home fires.
To avoid any issues, Dr. Scott Frazier, an associate professor of biosystems and agricultural engineering and OSU Extension specialist for energy management, provides the following advice.
For holiday lights, single extension cords should not exceed 50 feet in length. Also, anything that exceeds the listed amperage could result in the cord becoming hot. Avoid overloading outlets; guidelines call for standard, two-receptacle outlets not to exceed 1,500 watts total.
"Something like a small bedroom heater, that would typically be 1,100 watts," Frazier said. "If you're plugging more into that outlet with two receptacles on it, it better be small."
Frazier also said not to tuck extension cords under carpets and rugs, despite the eyesore they can be. It not only creates a tripping hazard in the house, but if the cord is frayed, it can result in a rug catching on fire.
Be cautious about linking three or more strands of lights together. The more lines linked together, the higher the resistance becomes, which can lead to the cords heating up. If wrapped around a real tree, which dries out over time, there is a risk of fire.
Outdoor lights and extension cords are specifically designed to withstand the weather and winter elements, so be aware of the difference between indoor and outdoor options, Frazier said. Also, pay attention to ensure wiring is not running through puddles of water on the ground.
Fire comes next
As temperatures drop, people will start using heaters and fireplaces for the first time in months. Before doing so, always check smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
"It's an easy thing to do," Frazier said. "There's really no excuse not to do it."
At a minimum, detectors and fire extinguishers should be placed on every floor in a house, including basements. Frazier recommends that chimneys and fireplaces be inspected annually due to the potential creosote buildup that can occur.
Examine the pressure gauge and dates on the exterior of fire extinguishers to ensure they are properly functioning.
"If it's 20 years old, even if the gauge shows it is OK, go get a new one," Frazier said.
Keep extinguishers in easily accessible areas, where a fire is unlikely to occur. Spots like a garage, coat closet or at the top of stairs are good. Frazier also recommends stashing one in your car. It may save you or someone else from a fire you come upon.
Holidays lend themselves to cooking larger meals than most are accustomed to. To avoid any fire hazards, Frazier advised preparing as much as possible beforehand and keeping the kitchen organized.
Avoid letting unnecessary occupants into the kitchen, like pets and children, unless they have a specific role. Hold off on consuming any alcoholic beverages until after the cooking is completed.
"It's mostly scalding and fire hazards," Frazier said. "Watch out for pan handles hanging over the edges of stoves and counters."
Every Thanksgiving, videos of people frying turkeys on social media go viral.
"I've seen someone put a frozen turkey in the turkey fryer, and I don't know what the equivalent explosive power would be, but it was spectacular," Frazier said.
When frying a turkey, always do it outside and have a fire extinguisher nearby in case anything goes wrong. A common mistake is overfilling the vat with peanut oil, which will bubble over onto open flames when a turkey is placed in it.
Fire safety blankets are a good option to have around in kitchens and can be thrown onto grease fires to help contain them as a secondary option. They cannot replace a fire extinguisher, though, and you'd need an extinguisher in the event of a grease fire.
Other guidelines to follow for safety
* Older decorations use incandescent lights that can have cracked or dry insulation. Pull out the wiring and inspect it, inch by inch. "If it looks suspicious, throw it away," Frazier said.
* Holiday candles should be placed on stable, heat-resistant surfaces, away from pets and children. Never leave it unattended and keep away from decorations that could easily catch on fire. Flameless candles are a great alternative.
* Be aware of what table scraps are poisonous to pets. Mistletoe, holly berries and Jerusalem cherries can be poisonous to children and pets. Even grapes can be a problem for dogs.
* Avoid using furniture as a ladder. Make sure anything you stand on has at least three points of contact with the ground.
OSU Agriculture OSU Extension
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Original text here: https://extension.okstate.edu/articles/2025/home-fire-safety-tips.html
'Galaxy' of grape tomatoes shines with three new varieties
ITHACA, New York, Nov. 17 -- Cornell University posted the following news:
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'Galaxy' of grape tomatoes shines with three new varieties
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Salads can get even more colorful with three varieties newly added to the "Galaxy Suite" of grape tomatoes, a snack-sized medley bred by a Cornell horticulturist.
"Green Nebula," "Stargazer" and "Cosmic Pink" are currently available for preorder through High Mowing Organic Seeds, to be delivered in spring 2026 in time for planting.
"Gardeners always want something new, and the first thing they look for is tomatoes," said Phillip Griffiths, associate
... Show Full Article
ITHACA, New York, Nov. 17 -- Cornell University posted the following news:
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'Galaxy' of grape tomatoes shines with three new varieties
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Salads can get even more colorful with three varieties newly added to the "Galaxy Suite" of grape tomatoes, a snack-sized medley bred by a Cornell horticulturist.
"Green Nebula," "Stargazer" and "Cosmic Pink" are currently available for preorder through High Mowing Organic Seeds, to be delivered in spring 2026 in time for planting.
"Gardeners always want something new, and the first thing they look for is tomatoes," said Phillip Griffiths, associateprofessor in the School of Integrative Plant Science Horticulture Section at Cornell AgriTech in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, who has now bred a total of nine varieties for the Galaxy Suite.
Green Nebula, which turns translucent yellow-green when ripe, is a juicy, pear-shaped grape tomato. Stargazer, a pale bright orange, shaped between a pear and a grape, has a fruity flavor. And Cosmic Pink is a meaty, disease-resistant elongated pink grape tomato with a top-ranked flavor profile.
"One of the big benefits of this group is not only do they each look different, obviously having multiple different colors, but each one has a unique ancestry of multiple different heirloom types," Griffiths said.
Galaxy Suite tomatoes are resonating with home gardeners, farm-to-market and organic growers, as well as in retail sectors, Griffiths said. Currently, Galaxy grape tomatoes are beginning to draw interest from chain stories such as Wegmans supermarkets, Sprouts Farmers Markets and Ark Foods, a plant-based food company.
Griffiths began breeding the new tomatoes in 2005. While his main research focus is on breeding brassica family vegetables (such as broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage), he became interested in tomatoes to fill in downtime between the peaks of brassica vegetable breeding. Simultaneously, the introduction of smartphones and the ability to take and share photos of foods in the early 2000s helped engage more people in the food system.
"The Galaxy Suite plays into where the engagement of consumers in the food system is going and developing in the technological age," Griffiths said.
"The intention isn't just to maximize economic sales and yields," he said, "it's to make interesting, fun foods more widely available, and to engage people in the growing and consumption of vegetables, and tomatoes in particular."
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Original text here: https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2025/11/galaxy-grape-tomatoes-shines-three-new-varieties
$1.5M grant to develop advanced digital casting of manufacturing components
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pennsylvania, Nov. 17 -- Pennsylvania State University posted the following news:
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$1.5M grant to develop advanced digital casting of manufacturing components
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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. America Makes and the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining have awarded a team led by Guha Manogharan, associate professor of mechanical engineering at Penn State, $1.5 million to develop a new approach to casting metal components used in machinery and vehicles. The award comes as a part of a project led by a consortium through the Office of the Secretary of Defense's Manufacturing
... Show Full Article
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pennsylvania, Nov. 17 -- Pennsylvania State University posted the following news:
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$1.5M grant to develop advanced digital casting of manufacturing components
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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. America Makes and the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining have awarded a team led by Guha Manogharan, associate professor of mechanical engineering at Penn State, $1.5 million to develop a new approach to casting metal components used in machinery and vehicles. The award comes as a part of a project led by a consortium through the Office of the Secretary of Defense's ManufacturingTechnology Program, known as IMPACT 3.0, worth a total of $4.5 million.
Casting refers to the process of solidifying manufacturing components out of molten metal. Despite its importance in producing commercial parts for defense, vehicles, machinery and more, the U.S. has seen a significant decrease in the number of domestic foundries since 2000, according to Manogharan. Effectively implementing additive manufacturing technology or 3D printing into casting could help strengthen the U.S.'s manufacturing resilience, Manogharan said.
"At Penn State, we have resources for traditional foundries capable of casting and molding metal into a variety of components, alongside strengths in additive manufacturing," said Manogharan, who also serves as co-director of the Center for Innovative Materials Processing through Direct Digital Deposition. "This project will join these assets using the digital tools offered by additive manufacturing to improve traditional casting, while greatly enhancing our capabilities for additive manufacturing-augmented casting."
Additive manufacturing technology, which can produce highly complex metal components, has been incorporated into casting before, according to Vittaldas Prabhu, Charles and Enid Schneider Faculty Chair in Service Enterprise Engineering, professor of industrial and manufacturing engineering and collaborator on the project. Prabhu explained that the team's new approach will offer a novel way of optimizing casting, while providing highly detailed insights regarding possible improvements.
"Casting is well-established, and additive manufacturing is rapidly gaining ground, but turning a foundry into a smart, digital platform is entirely new," Prabhu said. "Our goal is to transform casting into a connected manufacturing service that will not just automate workflow, but enable real-time insights, predictive control and adaptive decision-making across the entire supply chain."
The team's proposed system, known as Digi-FOCUS, will consist of a simulated "digital twin foundry" alongside a physical set of additive manufacturing and casting systems. The digital foundry will model the physical facility in real-time, using advanced data collection and analysis tools to provide researchers detailed information about where casting can be optimized. This data will help researchers better understand the problems hindering the implementation of additive manufacturing in casting processes.
Katie Fitzsimons, assistant professor of mechanical engineering and project collaborator, said that insights taken from prior research will be tremendously helpful in making this project a reality.
"We've made recent technological advancements in robotic systems like those in Digi-FOCUS that can reactively learn, even in a complex system environment," Fitzsimons said. "We are excited to use that expertise to advance the digital casting in this project."
Digi-FOCUS will be capable of five different advanced additive manufacturing techniques, including 3D printing using sand, ceramic, polymers, wax and foam, as well as different types of metals, Manogharan explained. In the physical foundry, adaptive robotics systems will help researchers streamline and automate portions of the workflow like inspections and material handling, increasing efficiency. The team will also integrate sensors to additive manufacturing systems to track key information, including printing conditions, metal temperature or the flow velocity of the molten metal, which will then be fed back into the digital twin foundry to create the simulated model.
According to Robert Voigt, professor of industrial and manufacturing engineering and project collaborator, a foundry capable of combining all these techniques while using advanced simulation analysis tools and robotics equipment has not been attempted before at this scale. Voigt said the entire facility will be around 4,000 square feet in size just smaller than a basketball court when it is complete.
The team said they believe the efficiency enabled through their system will incentivize industry adoption of additive manufacturing into casting. Craig Dubler, director of facilities for the College of Engineering and project collaborator, said the work conducted through the program will serve as the foundation for future commercialization efforts in casting.
"The system we will develop at Penn State will serve as a pilot system for future foundries," Dubler said. "The goal is to eventually demonstrate and implement this digital twin foundry technology in commercial foundries around the country."
This work is made possible through the help of industry partners at Donsco, Inc., 3D Systems, Inc., Marotta Controls, Inc., Parker-Hannifin Corporation, Skuld, LLC., Element, Tethon3D and the foundries of Penn State's Cast Metals Industrial Advisory Committee.
At Penn State, researchers are solving real problems that impact the health, safety and quality of life of people across the commonwealth, the nation and around the world.
For decades, federal support for research has fueled innovation that makes our country safer, our industries more competitive and our economy stronger. Recent federal funding cuts threaten this progress.
Learn more about the implications of federal funding cuts to our future at Research or Regress.
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Original text here: https://www.psu.edu/news/engineering/story/15m-grant-develop-advanced-digital-casting-manufacturing-components
