MSU Students Recognized for Scholarship, Leadership at International Dairy Science Meetings
9/21/09
Contact: Sara Long
517-432-1555, ext 170
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Four Michigan State University (MSU) undergraduate animal science students were lauded for their scholastic and leadership achievements during the 2009 American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) Student Affiliate Division (SAD) annual meetings held in July in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
The four MSU students honored during the annual ADSA-SAD awards banquet were animal science juniors Karmen Jackson, Caro; and Rosemary Rice, Filion; animal science and agribusiness management junior Elizabeth Motz, St. Johns; and Kayla Stomack, a spring 2009 animal science graduate and first-year large animal clinical science student from Minden City. Jackson and Stomack were present to receive their awards.
In total, seven MSU students traveled to this year’s international conference in Montreal: animal science seniors Gail Carpenter from Dansville; Shawnna Carrier from Clare; Jacquelyn Rowley from Richmond and Benjamin Wenner from Lewis Center, Ohio; and recent graduate Kayla Weiss, Farmington Hills, who completed degrees in animal science (2008) and microbiology (2009).
While there, the MSU students participated in the dairy quiz bowl, attended business meetings and educational sessions, took part in various competitions and were engaged in a career symposium where students participated in a roundtable discussion with professionals representing various aspects of the dairy industry. Students also attended the awards banquet, where Stomack and Weiss were recognized for placing second in the undergraduate dairy foods oral competition and undergraduate original research oral competition, respectively. Nicole Olynk, a graduate student in the MSU Department of Agriculture, Food and Resource Economics, was presented with the 2009 Outstanding Dairy Club Advisor award.
Jackson, on the other hand, participated in the dairy quiz bowl and made a presentation about the tour the MSU Dairy Club held at the MSU Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center in the spring for the SAD activities symposium. Members of university dairy clubs from across North America attend this symposium to learn about creative and educational projects and events conducted by other chapters.
As for being recognized by the organization for her school and leadership achievements, Jackson said that receiving the award was an honor and it will continue to serve as encouragement for staying committed and involved.
“The award recognizes a person’s ability to effectively balance time between classes, clubs, friends and life,” she said. “It makes me feel good that my involvement is appreciated and it motivates me to continue to stay involved.”
Motz shares Jackson’s view. She said that winning the ADSA-SAD award was an achievement that touched her both personally and professionally.
“On a personal level, this recognition reassures me that the time and effort I have put in thus far to make the most out of my college experience has been worth it, while professionally, the award gives me confidence that there are people out there in the industry who support me and my efforts to further my education,” she said.
“Receiving the award gives me the continued confidence that I need to make it through my next two years, and it proves to me that people in agriculture are seeing the hard work that young people are doing every day so that one day we’ll be successful in the industry,” Motz said.
Elizabeth Karcher, MSU dairy academic specialist, traveled with the students to Montreal. As a student member of ADSA-SAD while an undergraduate at Penn State University, Karcher had the opportunity to attend national ADSA meetings, interact with professionals and observe faculty and graduate students presenting research. These experiences greatly influenced her decision to pursue a doctorate degree in dairy science and encouraged her continued commitment to undergraduate education through teaching and research. During this year’s meeting, Karcher was elected to serve as a first-year ADSA-SAD advisor.
“It is both an honor and a privilege to give back to the ADSA-SAD as a first-year advisor,” she said. “I look forward to the opportunity to interact with young dairy professionals from across the United States and to promote both scholastic achievement and leadership skills among our future dairy leaders.”
Regarded as the leading science and research association for the dairy industry, the American Dairy Science Association was founded in 1906 as the National Association of Dairy Instructors and Investigators by teachers and researchers from the University of Illinois. Today, the ADSA functions as a clearinghouse for vital information and serves as an open forum where a full range of views on critical scientific questions are addressed. Its international membership is made up of educators, scientists and industry representatives who are all committed to advancing the dairy field.
The ADSA Student Affiliate Division is made up of college and university student chapters from across the country.
Travel to the ADSA-SAD international meeting in Montreal was made possible because of funding received from the Jane E. Wonders Endowment Fund. The Jane E. Wonders Endowment Fund is a program managed by the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources that supports and encourages interactive engagement between faculty members and students.
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