College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Animal Science

Dr. David Hawkins is the 2013 Saddle & Sirloin Portrait Gallery inductee. His honor comes following decades of work with agriculture and education. He was inducted into the Saddle & Sirloin Portrait Gallery during a banquet that was attended by agricultural leaders from across America.

The Saddle & Sirloin Portrait Gallery is the livestock industry’s Hall of Fame. Being inducted into the prestigious Portrait Gallery is the highest honor that can be received in the livestock industry. For more than a century, inductees have been chosen based on their service to agriculture, and their subsequent impact on the livestock industry.

Dr. Hawkins has been a professional educator for his entire life. He started his teaching career at Michigan State University (MSU) after earning his Ph.D. from that institution in 1969.

In 1973 he was named the faculty coordinator of the Michigan State University Beef Cattle Teaching Center. During his more than 40-year career at MSU, he has been a teacher, livestock judging team coach, student mentor, purebred livestock show judge and National Collegiate Livestock Judging Contest Superintendent.

Under his leadership, the Michigan State University cattle herd was selected for both type and performance, producing cattle that were excellent classroom models and highly sought after by the industry for their genetic excellence. He has judged livestock shows in over 36 states and in Canada, Europe and Australia.

Dr. Hawkins has been honored with numerous awards; including Distinguished Teacher, Animal Industry Service and Fellow Awards from the American Society of Animal Science.

The Saddle & Sirloin Portrait Gallery originated at the Chicago International Livestock Exposition until they were moved to the North American International Livestock Exposition. More than 350 original oil paintings are now included in the gallery, many of which are on display at the Kentucky Exposition Center.