Joe Townsend received his Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Education from Texas A&M. He received his Master’s and PhD Degrees in Agricultural Education from Iowa State University. As a cadet, Townsend was a member of Squadron 6, the Agricultural Leadership Society, FFA, and the 4-H Club. He also served as President of the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences Student Council.
After graduation from Texas A&M, Townsend taught high school and college in Iowa before returning to College Station in 1984. He served as the Associate Dean for Students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Associate Vice President for Students, respectively.
Throughout his career, Townsend has received numerous awards for his work as an agricultural educator, including the University Distinguished Teaching Award, Honor Professor by the Minorities in Agriculture and the Natural Resources and Related Sciences Council. He has also received numerous awards for his work as an agricultural educator for Individual Student Relations.
In 1996, Townsend received the Texas A&M John Koldus Student Services Award. He and his wife, Dr. Christine Townsend were selected to the Hall of Honor for the Texas A&M Letterman’s Association in 2011.
The Dr. Joe D. Townsend Leadership Fellows Program was established by Christine in honor of her husband through a $25,000 gift to the Texas A&M Foundation in 2009.