The West Virginia University Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Consumer Sciences has announced its 2009 Davis-Michael Seminar Series.

• Wednesday, Sept. 23: “What’s the Big IDDEA? 5 Strategies for More Creative Course Design,” Cindy Beacham, associate professor of interior design
• Wednesday, Oct. 28: “Hurdles in Commercial Poultry Production,” Joe Moritz, associate professor of poultry science
• Wednesday, Nov. 4: “Dietary Manipulation of Progesterone Catabolism,” Matt Wilson, associate professor of animal and nutritional sciences
• Wednesday, Nov. 11: “Isoelectric Behavior of Food Proteins,” Jacek Jaczynski, associate professor of food science and technology
• Wednesday, Nov. 18: “Hunting and Modern Agriculture,” John Edwards, associate professor of wildlife and fisheries resources
• Wednesday, Dec. 2: “X Chromosome Inactivation, a Means to Equalize Gene Expression in Males and Females,” Jed Doelling, associate professor of genetics and developmental biology

The seminars will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in room 1001 Agricultural Sciences Building on WVU’s Evansdale Campus. Light refreshments will be served after the seminars, which are free and open to the public.

Seminar presenters are all recipients of the 2008-09 Davis-Michael Mid-Career Faculty Awards. The Davis-Michael Scholars Program recognizes mid-career faculty members who exemplify the highest potential for accomplishment in teaching, research and service. Recipients will serve a three-year term with the possibility of an additional renewal term of two years.

“We look for faculty members who not only meet the award requirements but also go above and beyond what we expected,” said Cameron Hackney, dean of the Davis College. “Although a small reward for their service, this award is intended to recognize their accomplishments.”

The Davis-Michael Scholars Program was created in 2001 thanks to one of the largest private gifts in WVU’s history, a $16.2 million bequest from Morgantown sisters, Gladys Gwendolyn Davis and Vivian Davis Michael. The sisters hoped to improve the quality of veterinary care in West Virginia by supporting pre-veterinary education in WVU’s Davis College. It provides scholarships to students, professional development funds to faculty, and supports unique learning experiences for pre-professional students wishing to pursue veterinary and medical education.