From the mountains of Las Cruces, New Mexico, to the plains of Lubbock, Texas, agricultural economics and business administration major Denny Atchley, is setting up the future generations of cattle producers to go above and beyond in this industry.

Atchley is a student at Texas Tech University and the Davis College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources who completed an internship through the Davis College Government Internship Program in Washington, D.C., in a different way than most interns.

 During his time in the nation’s capital, Atchley was not on the hill but rather in downtown D.C. at the lobbying office of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. The connections and ideas that were formed during this time gave way to Atchley starting his own student organization as soon as he returned to Texas Tech.

“I put the word out while we were still in D.C.,” said Atchley. “I told everybody ‘Hey when I get back in the spring, we’re gonna kick this thing off.”

So, the Texas Tech Collegiate Cattlemen’s Association was formed. 

“The goal of our organization is to form a fellowship of students within the [Davis College] that are specifically interested in a career in the production of beef cattle,” Atchley said. 

Atchley brought his education and experiences from Washington, D.C., back to his fellow club members. The passion that drives this young opportunist is seen in his desire to communicate effectively with his peers and consumers about the issues going on in the industry now. 

“I wanted to bring that knowledge and expertise that I gained in D.C. back to Texas Tech,” Atchley said.

The organization is focused on providing supplemental education to those who are interested in the beef cattle industry, as well as supporting real world experiences by communicating with guest speakers and attending conventions. 

The Collegiate Cattleman’s Club is in partnership with NCBA and supported by the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. 

“With NCBA and Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, both of those organizations really have a strong desire to have a bigger collegiate presence in their membership and at their conventions,” Atchley said. “They want to have a bigger collegiate membership taking part of those opportunities that they have for students.” 

The goal of the organization is clear: to represent the young cattle producers of the world and Texas Tech. Atchley has kick started this organization and has no plans of slowing down, with plans of additional guest speakers from the cattle industry and cattle-based events for members to attend.