2020 Distinguished Alumnus

Dr. Jerry W. Spears received his B.S. And M.S. degrees in Animal Science from the University of Kentucky, and his Ph.D. degree in Animal Nutrition from the University of Illinois. Dr. Spears was a faculty member in the Department of Animal Science at North Carolina State University for 32 years. He retired from the University in 2012, and is currently Professor Emeritus.

Dr. Spears is recognized nationally and internationally as a leading authority in the area of mineral nutrition of domestic animals. He has given over 150 invited presentations in 27 countries, and has published over 400 publications, including over 180 refereed journal articles and 14 book chapters. He was awarded the Young Animal Scientist Award from the Southern Section ASAS (1989), the Ruminant Nutrition Award (1985) and the Cromwell Award for Mineral Research (2012) from the American Society of Animal Science, and most recently, the FASS/AFIA New Frontiers in Animal Nutrition Award (2019). He was named a Fellow of the American Society of Animal Science in 2012. Dr. Spears has served on the National Research Council-Committee on Animal Nutrition as well as the National Research Council-Subcommittees on Beef Cattle Nutrition, and Minerals and Toxic Substances in Diets and Water for Animals.