NMSU animal science prof remembered statewide

In nearly five decades of teaching at New Mexico State University (NMSU), retired animal science professor Neil Burcham touched the lives of hundreds of students and colleagues, and had a lasting impact on the livestock industry in New Mexico and across the United States.

According to a report from NMSU, Burcham, who passed away in December at age 81, was an associate professor of Animal Science in the Animal & Range Sciences Department in the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences for 48 years before retiring in 2017. During his time at NMSU, many said that he was the most influential professor they’ve ever had.

“Neil Burcham was known for his helpful and caring relationship with students,” College of ACES Dean Rolando A. Flores Galarza said. “Neil responded to students who showed interest and were serious about their education. Students knew they could count on Mr. Burcham for his guidance.

Flores Galarza said Burcham was known as an expert in the area of livestock production and livestock judging, not only in the United States, but also internationally, especially in South America.

According to the report, former students like Dan Delaney, an NMSU alumnus who graduated in 1978, not only greatly appreciated Burcham’s mentorship, but developed a strong friendship that carried on until his death.

“As a friend, there was no better. No matter the problem – he always had your back,” Delaney said. “As a professor, there was no brighter mind in the livestock industry, and he imparted that wisdom freely.”

Another former student and current program operations director in the College of ACES, Christopher Allison, shared that Burcham had an incredible gift for remembering students’ names, hometowns, and their life stories.

“After 40-plus years, he could still recall the most detailed description of his students. I have never seen anything like it,” Allison said. “My experience with him showed me that he was a very caring man. When my youngest daughter, Ashley, was born with Down syndrome, Neil sought me out to share his experiences with his granddaughter, Courtney, who also shared the same trisomy issue. I would call on Neil repeatedly for advice in this regard.”

Marcie Wallin, a former student and part of Burcham’s livestock judging team, was another of many who kept in touch with Burcham to ask for advice, or to simply catch him up on life milestones she had accomplished.

“Not only did Mr. Burcham help his students while in school, but after as well,” Wallin said. “He tried to get me to accept a job offer after graduation, and I declined because I wanted to return home and live happily ever after. I went back to college 20 years after NMSU and got a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. I sent him an announcement, and in return, I received a note, written in pencil: ‘Congratulations! I always knew you would make it. If you need any letters of recommendation, let me know!’ I keep his letter with my résumés to this day.”

The NMSU report said after retiring, Burcham continued to have an impact on the lives of many students and on the cattle industry.

“Cattle producers, feeders, and processors constantly sought his opinion,” Allison said. “Neil was never bashful about telling industry professionals about a student they should hire. He was undoubtedly the best job placement person on campus. Untold numbers of students owe him their career starts.”

“He knew hundreds of people in the livestock world, and he made those connections daily, even after he retired,” Delaney said. “He also raised over $270,000 after he retired for various uses on the college ranch.”

Burcham continued to be honored by academic and industry awards after his retirement. In October 2022, Burcham was inducted into the Northeastern Oklahoma Junior College Hall of Fame for the work he did with their livestock judging teams before moving to Las Cruces in 1969.

Delaney said Burcham will be greatly missed as a friend and mentor to hundreds in the livestock world, but his positive mark on those lives will always remain.

“The most important thing about Mr. Burcham was he became your lifelong friend,” Wallin added. “I don’t think many professors can say they kept in contact with their students for years like he could.”

In March, Burcham will be inducted into the American Brahman Breeders Association Hall of Fame. Also this spring, when the new Food Science, Safety and Security building is completed on NMSU’s campus, a classroom will be named in his honor.

A public celebration of Burcham’s life was held Jan. 7, at the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum in Las Cruces.