Dr. Paul Shellenberger Honored as DAS Dairy Science Distinguished Alumnus

Paul R. Shellenberger, Ph.D., professor emeritus of Dairy Science, has been named the 2008 Dairy Science Distinguished Alumnus by the Department of Dairy and Animal Science at Penn State and will be recognized at ceremonies held on campus on November 7 and 8.

Shellenberger received his B.S. from Penn State in 1957 in dairy science-production and his M.S. in 1959. He earned his Ph.D. in animal nutrition in 1964 from Iowa State University.

Dr. Terry Etherton, Head of the Department of Dairy and Animal Science, said, "Paul Shellenberger's contributions to the Department though his outstanding teaching and advising over 7,000 students during his tenure are enormous and his impact both long-lasting and extremely valuable. I offer my sincerest congratulations on this well-deserved recognition and a heartfelt thank you for all he has done."

Shellenberger said, "It is an honor to be recognized in this way. My greatest satisfaction came from watching young people learn and mature and helping them prepare for fulfilling, successful careers."

He joined the Dairy Science faculty at Penn State in 1967 after having been a dairy specialist for the Texas Agricultural Extension Service where he worked with County Agricultural Extension Agents and their program committees in a 29-county area of north Texas for two and a half years. He began his college teaching career at Tarleton State College where he taught introductory courses in dairy science and agricultural economics and served as a student adviser.

During his career at Penn State, he was recognized for his teaching and work with advising students with many awards including The Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching in 1975, the Ralston Purina Teaching Award in 1983, the Golden Key National Honor Society Outstanding Faculty Award in 1983, the AMOCO Foundation Award for Excellence in Teaching Performance in 1985, the Undergraduate Student Government's Excellence in Advising Award in 1991, the Outstanding Educator of the Year Award in 1996 and the Excellence in Advising Award presented by the College of Agricultural Sciences Alumni Society in 1996.

The Dairy Science Club named him as dedicatee for the Dairy Expo in 1986. In addition, he was named the dedicatee by the Block and Bridle Club for the Little International Livestock Show in 1988 and again in 1997. Delta Theta Sigma fraternity recognized him with their Alumni Service Award in 1989.

Working with the late August E. Branding, Shellenberger helped establish the Penn State Dairyman's Club in 1977. He also encouraged several women students in the College to establish a chapter of Sigma Alpha (Sisters in Agriculture) and through their work a chapter was established in 1989.

He was a member of the American Dairy Science Association, the National Association of Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture, the American Society of Animal Science, Dairy Shrine and the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology.

Shellenberger was elected by the College of Agricultural Sciences faculty to represent them on the University Faculty Senate, where he served for twenty years including serving as secretary, member or chair of several key committees including two different two-year terms on the University Promotion and Tenure Review Committee. He also co-chaired the Senate's subcommittee on Writing Across the Curriculum, after he and another faculty member in the College participated in the original pilot program.

 He chaired a task force that planned, developed and eventually gained faculty approval to offer the current Animal Sciences Baccalaureate Degree Program. He worked with seven other faculty members to develop the concept for a freshman seminar, and he chaired a Task Force to review baccalaureate degree programs within the College to develop college-wide requirements to enhance the educational experiences and outcomes for students, especially in writing and communicating skills.

He served as Marshall at the College's commencement programs for many years.

 A native of Dover, PA, Shellenberger gained practical knowledge of agriculture through work on an uncle's farm. He is a graduate of Dover Area High School. 

Retired since 1997, Shellenberger enjoys spending time with his wife Joan, and their two grown children and their families. He enjoys woodworking, gardening and volunteering with Habitat for Humanity. He currently resides in Franklin, Indiana.