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Animal Sciences Undergraduate Scholarships
Animal Sciences Undergraduate Scholarships
Deadline Feburary 29, 2008
In addition to the scholarships available through the University and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES), the Department of Animal Sciences awards a number of scholarships to outstanding undergraduate students enrolled in the Department each year. A description of each scholarship follows.
PAUL E. AND ROSE A. WOODSON SCHOLARSHIP
The Paul E. and Rose A. Woodson estate has provided an endowment fund to the University of Illinois that provides seven $1,000 scholarships annually to outstanding junior or senior students enrolled in the Department of Animal Sciences. The Woodson scholarships are based primarily on potential leadership in the animal industry. The scholarships have been presented annually since 1982.
Mr. Paul E. Woodson was a leader in the livestock industry. A 1925 graduate of the University of Illinois, Mr. Woodson was president of the Woodson-Fennewald Livestock Commission Company and served several terms as president of the St. Louis Livestock Exchange. In 1963, he was named "Mr. Stockyards" in recognition of his many years of outstanding service. Mr. Woodson was a member of the Illinois 4-H Foundation and the Industry Advisory Committee of the former Department of Animal Science. He preceded his wife in death. The will of the late Rose A. Woodson included a bequest to the Department of Animal Sciences to generate income for the support of outstanding students.
A. L. NEUMANN TRANSFER STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP
Dr. A. L. Neumann and his wife, Lorena, have made a gift to the University of Illinois Foundation to provide an annual scholarship in the amount of $500 to a student who transfers from a junior or community college to the Animal Sciences curriculum at the University of Illinois. Any transfer student enrolled in the Department of Animal Sciences who has completed at least one semester at the University of Illinois may apply for the scholarship. The scholarship will be based upon scholarship (25%), need (25%), and potential leadership in the animal industry (50%). The Neumann Transfer Scholarship has been awarded annually since 1983.
Dr. A. L. Neumann was born in Granite, Oklahoma, and received his B.S. degree in Animal Husbandry and Agricultural Education in 1938 and M.S. degree in Animal Husbandry in 1939 from Oklahoma State University. He received his Ph.D. degree in Animal Nutrition from the University of Illinois in 1949. Dr. Neumann has taught high school vocational agriculture and served as county extension agent in Oklahoma. He was a faculty member in the Department of Animal Science at the University of Illinois for 19 years and retired in 1976. He has also served as Head of the Agricultural Department at Cameron State Agricultural College, Lawton, Oklahoma, faculty member in the Department of Animal Husbandry at the University of Arkansas and Head of the Department of Animal, Range and Wildlife Sciences at New Mexico State University.
Dr. Neumann has made significant research contributions in the areas of beef cattle nutrition and management and is still active in professional consulting with beef cattle operations. One of Dr. Neumann's most important contributions to the beef industry is his textbook, Beef Cattle, which is in its 8th edition.
WACO W. ALBERT MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS
Mrs. Waco W. Albert and friends of Waco W. Albert have provided an endowment to the University of Illinois Foundation to provide scholarships to deserving students on an annual basis.
A. Livestock Evaluation Scholarships (2) at $1000 each
- The student must have a sincere interest in swine, beef cattle or sheep.
- The student must have a tie to livestock judging/evaluation programs in which swine, beef cattle and sheep have been judged by (a) having parents or grandparents who were members of University of Illinois livestock judging/evaluation teams, (b) being a member of a senior livestock judging/evaluation team at the University of Illinois or 8 being a member of a 4-H or FFA livestock judging/evaluation team that represented the State of Illinois in national competition.
- The student must be enrolled (or intend to enroll if still in high school) in the Department of Animal Sciences or School of Human Resources and Family Studies of the University of Illinois College of ACES.
B. Waco W. Albert Memorial Equine Scholarship (1) at $500
The scholarship shall be granted to a student a) based on academic merit whose grade point averages (GPA) are above the average GPA of all students in the Department of Animal Sciences and b) who (1) show promise of future support for the equine industry in Illinois and the United States through efforts such as being a contributing member of a family that owns and breeds horses as a business or for pleasure; (2) participate in research, teaching and extension; and (3) provide excellent professional support to the equine world.
The faculty involved with equine teaching and extension work will select the winner of this scholarship.
Waco Albert spent nearly 30 years at the University of Illinois where he coached livestock and horse judging teams and taught courses in animal evaluation as a faculty member in the Department of Animal Sciences. He was a stockman's stockman. He was connected with all breeds and species of livestock and would remember animals and livestock pedigrees. Producers from many states sought his advice when making their decisions in livestock selection.
Professor Albert's highest priority was teaching. His livestock judging teams consistently finished in the upper ranks and had the distinction of winning all major collegiate judging contests at least once. He knew and understood students--their desires, hopes and potentials, and encouraged students in the achievement of their goals. Many leading livestock people have benefited immensely from the skills that Waco Albert taught them. It was Professor Albert's avocation to stimulate and promote interest in the meat animal species.
ALEX EDGAR BEEF PRODUCTION SCHOLARSHIP
The family of Alex Edgar has provided the University of Illinois Foundation with a monetary gift which provides for the annual presentation of the Alex Edgar Beef Production Scholarship in the amount of $300 to an outstanding Junior or Senior student enrolled in the College of ACES and interested in a career in the beef industry. The Alex Edgar Scholarship has been presented annually since 1985.
Alexander Edgar was born in Kicubright, Scotland, on December 4, 1884. He became active with purebred Shorthorn and Galloway cattle in Scotland at the age of 16. He emigrated to the U.S. in 1906, working initially in Iowa and then at Kansas State University, where he exhibited the Grand and Reserve Champion Steers at the Chicago International Livestock Exposition in 1909.
From Kansas State University, Alex moved to Williamsville, Illinois, where he became part owner and manager of a purebred Shorthorn herd. He joined the University of Illinois staff in 1927 as beef cattle herdsman and served in that position until his retirement in 1953 at the age of 68. While herdsman, he exhibited three Reserve Champion Steers, three Champion Shorthorn Steers and the Champion Herd at the Chicago International Livestock Exposition. Alex was an excellent manager and fitter of cattle, raising every animal that he exhibited. His success in the show ring resulted in invitations to judge beef cattle at the Chicago International Livestock Exposition, the American Royal, the Eastern National and the National Western Stock Show. During his tenure at the University of Illinois, Alex worked with over 200 students employed at the beef farm and was an important influence on many who ultimately pursued positions in the beef cattle industry.
Donors of the scholarship are the children of Alex Edgar: Mr. Robert Edgar, Mrs. Richard Strong, Mrs. Sarah Margaret Campbell, and a grandchild: Ms. Susan E. Strong.
JOHN A. KILLAM BEEF/MEAT SCIENCE SCHOLARSHIP
John Killam served as Director of Legislation for over 20 years for the Illinois Beef Association and the Illinois Association of Meat Processors. Upon his retirement in 1989, friends of John Killam contributed funds to support a $300 scholarship for a student enrolled in the College of ACES who is studying in the beef cattle or meat science area. The scholarship will be based on scholarship (25%), interest and involvement in the beef cattle or meat science industries (50%) and other undergraduate activities (25%). The selection committee for this scholarship will consist of the beef cattle and meats extension specialist and instructors of beef production and a meat science course.
John Killam is a lifetime resident of Morgan County, Illinois. He operated a grain and livestock farm for 30 years, while serving as a legislative lobbyist for various Illinois Agricultural commodity groups. He was a strong supporter of the University of Illinois College of ACES and played an important part in securing resources to build the Meat Science Laboratory on campus. His legislative activities for the Illinois Beef Association began in 1967, and in 1975 he began work for the Illinois Association of Meat Processors.
ROBERT L. DOUGLAS PUREBRED BEEF CATTLE SCHOLARSHIP
Robert and Marie Douglas, Douglas-Kalmar Farms, Robinson, Illinois, donated purebred cattle to the University of Illinois Department of Animal Sciences for use in teaching programs and to develop income for undergraduate scholarship support. The sale of these purebred cattle provide for an annual scholarship of $200 to an outstanding Junior or Senior student enrolled in the Department of Animal Sciences and interested in a career in the purebred beef cattle industry. The scholarship will be based primarily on potential leadership and involvement in the purebred beef cattle industry. This scholarship will be selected by a committee consisting of a beef cattle extension specialist, the faculty member who teaches beef production and a representative of the Student Honors Committee.
Robert L. Douglas, a 1965 University of Illinois graduate, is a practicing attorney in Robinson, Illinois. He has previously made gifts to the Department of Purebred Angus cattle and Jersey cattle.
FIGHTING ILLINI PORK CLUB SCHOLARSHIP
The members of the Fighting Illini Pork Club have provided funds that support three annual scholarships for outstanding students who have excelled in livestock and meat judging programs. The Fighting Illini Pork Club has actively supported University of Illinois athletic programs and judging teams in the Department of Animal Sciences for over 20 years.
The scholarships will be presented in two categories and be selected by the faculty members responsible for the University and State 4-H Livestock and Meats Judging Teams.
- A $500 scholarship will be awarded to an outstanding freshman enrolled as an Animal Sciences major that was a member of the Illinois State 4-H Livestock or Meats Judging Teams. If no worthy freshman student is identified, a student who has transferred into the University of Illinois, is majoring in Animal Sciences, and was a member of a Community College Livestock, Meats or Meat Animal Evaluation team will be considered.
- Two $500 scholarships will be awarded to the outstanding Livestock, Meats, or Meat Animal Evaluation Judging Team members that are majors in Animal Sciences.
DR. AND MRS. M. E. ENSMINGER SCHOLARSHIP
The Dr. and Mrs. M. E. Ensminger Scholarship is a $1000 merit based scholarship awarded annually to an Animal Sciences undergraduate. Criteria used to help determine the recipient of this award includes academic achievement, leadership, extra-curricular activities and character. Preference will be given to students from Southern Illinois with interest in food animal production.
Dr. M. E. Ensminger is known worldwide for his many contributions to agriculture. He is President of Agri. Services Foundation, a non-profit foundation serving world agriculture, with headquarters at Clovis, California. A native of Stover, Missouri, he grew up on a general livestock and dairy farm. He received his B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of Missouri in 1931 and 1932, and completed his Ph.D. degree at the University of Minnesota in 1941. He was Chairman of the Department of Animal Sciences at Washington State University for 21 years. Dr. Ensminger is known in Illinois for his leadership in developing the Dixon Springs Agricultural Center, Simpson, Illinois.
RICHARD AND CHARLOTTE LUNDGREN SCHOLARSHIP
Recipients of these two $1000 scholarships are upper classmen who have completed 60 or more college hours and have demonstrated academic merit in their studies, and are Animal Sciences majors, with goals to be involved in food animal production.
Miss Hattie Lundgren was a faculty member in Home Economics at Illinois State University, but set up a trust in memory of her parents who were involved in farming and raising livestock. Her interest is to recognize students who plan to have careers in production animal agriculture.
FRAN CALLAHAN SCHOLARSHIP FOR EXCELLENCE IN SWINE JUDGING
The Fran Callahan Scholarship for Excellence in Swine Judging is a $300 scholarship, which recognizes the top swine judge each year from the University of Illinois' Livestock Judging Team, based on his/her performance at the American Royal and the North American International Collegiate Livestock Judging Contest.
Fran Callahan was born near Milford, Illinois. In high school, Fran was a member of the Illinois State 4-H Livestock Judging Team, and after high school he began raising Chester White hogs. Fran became a nationally recognized swine judge, eventually judging in 37 different states. In 1960, he purchased a Hampshire gilt that produced, in her first litter, a barrow that was champion at the 1960 International Livestock Exposition in Chicago. Callahan's Hampshires produced champion hogs nationally, partly due to Fran's philosophy of breeding hogs that combined soundness, muscling, performance, and production into one profitable package. Fran Callahan received many awards, including the National Service Award from the National Hog Farmer magazine, Illinois Pork Producers' Outstanding Seedstock Producer Award, Gamma Sigma Delta Award of Merit and the Hoof and Horn Club Honorary Member Award. He founded the Fighting Illini Pork Club, helping to raise over $500,000 for University of Illinois Athletics and the Department of Animal Sciences. Fran's creed of life was, “I guess the reasons why I get involved is because you come into this world with nothing and you leave with nothing, . . . and what matters is what you do in between.”
D. E. BECKER SWINE INDUSTRY SCHOLARSHIP
D. E. “Gene” Becker was Head of the Department of Animal Sciences from 1967-1984. Under his leadership, the department grew and became the leading Animal Sciences Department in the world. He was a respected swine nutritionist and his discoveries of the proper use of corn:soybean diets for swine became the swine industry standard for feeding and raising swine. He was admired as a department head because of his abilities to hire faculty and establish programs that balanced discovery research, applied studies, and undergraduate education to the fullest.
Dr. Becker mentored 18 different doctoral students who have since mostly worked in the swine nutrition industry. He served as Editor of the Journal of Animal Science and was also elected as President and named a Fellow of the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists and co-founded, along with his friend Francis Callahan, the Fighting Illini Pork Club and Pork Day at the University of Illinois. Becker was recognized with the Paul A. Funk Award for lifelong contributions to Illinois Agriculture and was given the Morrison Award by the American Society of Animal Science.
Dr. Becker married Elsie Hendrickson and had five children. He had 12 grandchildren at the time of his passing on September 11, 1999.
The D. E. Becker Award in Animal Sciences is established to recognize an outstanding undergraduate Animal Sciences student with potential leadership and involvement in the swine industry. This award for $500 shall be selected by the Animal Sciences Undergraduate Honors Committee, with input from the advisors of the Animal Sciences Illini Pork Link Student Club. The award shall be given to a student based on their leadership, documented interest in the swine industry, and their academic achievements.
DRS. GREG AND SUSAN ALDRICH SCHOLARSHIP
Greg and Susan Aldrich each earned doctorates at the University of Illinois in the Department of Animal Sciences in 1995. With a lifetime of dedication and devotion to animals and education, Drs. Greg and Susan Aldrich wish to provide tangible support and encouragement to students pursuing careers caring for animals; all in an effort to give-back and perpetuate the University of Illinois experience.
SLEETER BULL UNDERGRADUATE MEATS SCHOLARSHIP
Students who have an interest in the livestock and meat industry are encouraged to apply for a monetary scholarship presented in memory of Sleeter Bull. A $1,000 scholarship is made annually to an undergraduate student majoring in Animal Sciences. The scholarship winner will be selected based on scholarship (30%), involvement in the meats and livestock industry (30%), undergraduate activities (particularly those related to meat science) (30%) and community and public service (10%). The scholarship winner will be selected by the meat science faculty.
The late Sleeter Bull, a pioneer in the field of meat science, conducted research and taught at the University of Illinois from 1911 to 1956. He developed the original courses in slaughter of meat animals, carcass evaluation, meats identification and table preparation. His meat research contributions included studies on beef quality assessment and meat handling and processing problems for freezer and locker plants.
The scholarships are made possible from the proceeds of the annual auction of the Illinois State Fair Champion Ham, Bacon and Processed Beef.
VERLIN K. JOHNSON MEAT SCIENCE SCHOLARSHIP
Verlin K. Johnson, in memory of his wife, Ida Bruner Johnson, has provided two $375 annual scholarships to the College of Agriculture; one in the School of Human Resources and Family Studies and the second in the Department of Animal Sciences. The Animal Sciences scholarship is presented to an undergraduate student who has demonstrated excellence in intercollegiate meats judging at the University of Illinois.
Dr. Johnson received his M.S. (47) and Ph.D. (51) degrees from the University of Illinois where he studied meat science under Sleeter Bull. Dr. Johnson coached the University of Illinois Meats Team while a graduate student and continued coaching for many years at North Dakota State University.
ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION OF MEAT PROCESSORS
The Illinois Association of Meat Processors provide two $500 scholarships to upper level undergraduates who have a strong interest in the meat industry. Undergraduates with an excellent academic record and who have taken meat science courses, worked at the Meat Science Laboratory, and/or have been on the Meats Judging Team, etc., will be strongly considered.