Staff News

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Congratulations to Dr. Jim Woolley and Mr. Pete Krauter for receiving the highest award from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences for their achievements.

Woolley and Krauter were honored on Wednesday, September 16, during the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ Dean’s Outstanding Achievement Awards ceremony held at the AgriLife Center.

Woolley, a professor of Entomology, received the Dean’s Award in the international impact category. Woolley has been with the Department for 32 years teaching and researching the taxonomy and evolution of parasitic wasps and their use in biological control of insect pests.

During his career, he has collected insects in at least 12 countries, with emphasis on Mexico, Panama and Peru. All of his collection efforts have been recorded in the Texas A&M Insect Collection.

Woolley has taught several short courses and workshops in Mexico and Peru, as well as serving on various committees, including the the sis and examining committees for Licentiatura students, which are undergraduate degree with thesis students, was a founding member of the International Society of Hymenopterists and has been elected to President, Secretary and Treasurer.

The greatest impact Woolley has had on the university is in the Study Abroad program with his course in Tropical Field Biology that he participates in teaching along with Wildlife and Fisheries Science Department Professor Dr. Tom Lacher. When the 2015 program is completed, Woolley would have impacted more than 270 Aggies and taught the program 16 times.

“In Entomology, it is virtually a must-have experience for our students interested in insect biodiversity and field ecology,” Ragsdale said. “Although Dr. Woolley has had huge international impacts throughout his career, I believe that by far the greatest impact locally has been through the Dominica Study Abroad program. I am proud to have this program affiliated with Entomology in concert with the department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences and Dr. Woolley’s counterpart, Dr. Tom Lacher for the past 25 years.”

Senior Research Associate Pete Krauter received the Dean’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Staff category for his outstanding support and dedication to the Dr. Kevin Heinz Lab and the Department in the past 30 years.

Krauter has been an ambassador to the University, the Texas A&M AgriLife program, Texas Department of Agriculture, and various other state, national, and international researchers in allowing them to continue their research programs. He has also been instrumental in providing valuable advice and expertise on areas ranging from IPM to statistics to systematics and host plant interactions to graduate students.

“Pete exemplifies the concept of a team player,” Heinz said. “Regardless of project affiliation, Pete shares his numerous talents with a wide range of faculty, staff, and students within the Department.”

Krauter also handles several high-priority duties including the main security officer, handling the Department’s keyless lock systems and serves as a liaison to the Department Head and Committee on Utilization and Assignment of Physical Space, keeping the Department Head informed on critical space matters. He also serves as the point person in providing necessary information and/or recommendations in assessing renovations, repairs, and space assignments.

“His knowledge, dedication to detail, and persistence in seeing a project through to timely completion has saved the Department and College tens of thousands of dollars and a large portion of these cost saving activities will not be found anywhere on a position description,” Heinz said. “Pete has become the “go-to” individual when something needs to get done. He is a master of détente in working with Facilities Services in getting equipment repaired quickly and correctly and in keeping Department and College facilities clean, orderly, and in working condition.”

In addition to Woolley and Krauter, Associate Professor Dr. Craig Coates was also recognized for being named a Critical Thinking Academy Fellow while Julio Bernal was recognized for receiving promotion to Professor, and Dr. Aaron Tarone for receiving both promotion to Associate Professor with tenure. Drs. Hojun Song and Ed Vargo were then recognized as new faculty who joined the college in the past year. Congratulations to all who were recognized at this annual event.