Note to editors: A photo of Dee Likes is available by contacting K-State Research and Extension news coordinator Mary Lou Peter-Blecha at 785-532-1164 or mlpeter@ksu.edu.

Released: January 17, 2007

Dee Likes Named First Recipient of K-State Animal Sciences Alumnus Award

MANHATTAN, Kan. - Thomas "Dee" Likes has been named the recipient of the Kansas State University Distinguished Animal Sciences and Industry Alumnus Award for 2006. He was honored Jan. 16, 2007, during a seminar and ceremony held in his honor at K-State. While in Manhattan, he met with K-State administrators and faculty, gave a seminar and toured the university’s animal science facilities.

Likes, who is the executive vice president and chief executive officer of the Kansas Livestock Association, graduated magna cum laude from K-State in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in animal science. While at K-State, he held several offices, including president, in several campus organizations.

“This is the first time we’ve made such an award,” said Michael Dikeman, professor of meat science in the department and chair of the award committee.

“We are pleased to present the first Animal Sciences and Industry Alumnus Award to Dee Likes,” said Janice Swanson, interim head of the animal science department. “Dee has provided outstanding leadership and representation for the members of the Kansas Livestock Association. Each year we will look forward to honoring a graduate of the department who has achieved excellence in his or her field of work.”

After a tour of active duty in the U.S. Navy, Likes was a market analyst for Cattle-Fax, first in Topeka and later in the Denver headquarters of the National Cattlemen’s Association (now called the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association).

In May of 1976, he joined the KLA staff as executive secretary of the cow-calf/stocker division. In 1979, he was named executive secretary of the feedlot division; and, in January, 1984, was named to the executive vice president and chief executive officer post.

Likes is responsible to the KLA board of directors for management of the staff and administration of all KLA business and programs. The association, by membership, is one of the largest associations in Kansas and one of the largest affiliates of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. KLA represents about 6,000 livestock producers in the state of Kansas.

During his career, he has been a member of several honorary societies and fraternities and the recipient of numerous scholarship, awards, and special recognitions. He served two terms as president of the Kansas Agricultural Alliance, a coalition that represents more than 20 Kansas agricultural associations before the Kansas Legislature. He is past chairman of the state and breed affiliate steering committee of the National Cattlemen’s Association.

Dee and his wife Terry live in Topeka, Kansas. They have four grown children and five grandchildren.

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K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.

Story by:
Mary Lou Peter-Blecha
mlpeter@oznet.ksu.edu
K-State Research& Extension News