Writer: Blair Fannin, 979-845-2259, b-fannin@tamu.edu
Contact: Dr. Parr Rosson, 979-845-2116, prosson@tamu.edu
COLLEGE STATION – The Weiner Endowment for International Excellence has been established in the agricultural economics department at Texas A&M University to further enhance study abroad programs and advanced degree offerings, according to Dr. Parr Rosson, department head.
Brian and Tina Weiner of San Antonio, who funded the endowment, both noted that “international activities are life-changing experiences.”
Weiner is a 1965 graduate of Texas A&M with a bachelor’s of science degree in agricultural economics.
“Brian and Tina have made this opportunity possible with a generous gift,” Rosson said. “In continuing our pursuit of achieving international excellence, this program helps our students develop a world view and further their interest in economies worldwide. New perspectives on economies, agriculture, culture, natural resources and environment are built upon broad-based international experiences. This endowment will help further those opportunities and enhance our current offerings here in the department.”
Currently, the department offers study abroad programs for up to 30 students each year, Rosson said. The program is based in France, Ghana and China. These experiences provide students the opportunity to study the agribusiness food chainin Europe through classwork as well as visits to farm and businesses.
The endowment will also strengthen existing programs, such as the executive master’s degree in applied economics and administrationand the student/faculty exchange program.
“In our executive master’s program, mid-level managers of firms and corporations operating in Guatemala learn the principles of international commerce needed to transform developing country economic systems into first world operations,” Rosson said.
The Department of Agricultural Economics at Texas A&M specializes in agribusiness management, marketing, finance, real estate, agricultural and food policy, international marketing and trade, economic development, natural resource economics, and production economics. Faculty responsibilities are divided among teaching, Extension and research. Significant emphasis is given to the international dimension of these program areas.
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