Department of Dairy and Animal Science Students, Faculty Recognized

The first weekend of April brought recognition to faculty and students from the Department of Dairy and Animal Science from both the College of Agricultural Sciences (CAS) at its annual Ag Ball and from the entire University through its Center for Student Engagement awards program.

The University recognized outstanding students, faculty and clubs, and DAS was among those receiving some of the University's highest awards.

Block and Bridle Club was recognized as the Outstanding Student Organization - no small feat considering the number of student organizations that exist throughout the University.

The award is given to a club that demonstrates excellence in programming of purposeful events, positive promotion of mission/purpose of organization to the University community, collaboration with other student organizations, faculty and staff and building a sense of community.

Block and Bridle meets all of these criteria in an outstanding way, with 133 active members providing leadership and support ranging from organizing the Little International Livestock Exposition held each April to sponsoring the largest blood drive on campus, "Beef Up the Blood Supply," to hosting the Spring Livestock Judging contest for FFA, 4-H and Collegiate groups. The Club was also recognized by the College for their "Outstanding Educational Activities."

 Dan Kniffen, Ph.D., adviser for the club, was named as the outstanding adviser in the University-wide awards and was named ACS 2008 Club Advisor of the Year. Nominated by his students, the award was a surprise, and he said, "The rewards are seeing students do well, and growing up to be great young leaders. Their energy is phenomenal - they really demonstrate the unstoppable enthusiasm of youth."  He said the students view all of the activities as an opportunity - not as work.

He added, "The Club is doing an incredible amount of activities - I think there is no other club on campus that has this level of activities - there is something going on all the time." He noted that while the members are heavily involved in their activities they also hold their own academically. "I consider it a privilege to mentor and interact with some exceptional youth. Our members are second to none. They have a tremendous passion for agriculture."

Kyle Grim and Melissa Sankey, president and vice-president of Block and Bridle, completed the nomination forms for the college awards, and then re-did them for the university award. In their nomination, they wrote, in part, "He has made the college experience for our students memorable.  He's an advisor as well as a motivator and mentor.  He pushes students to reach their true potential and speak out for our cause. He is the foundation that our club is built upon, bringing together students that pride themselves on the fundamentals of our club."  They noted that his dedication is a valuable asset to the Block and Bridle Club.

Dr. Terry Etherton, Head of the Department, said, "It was truly an outstanding achievement for the Department to get so much recognition at the University and within the College of Agricultural Sciences.  The caliber of our students and faculty is exceptional, and their recognition within the College and throughout the University is well-deserved. I congratulate all those who received awards for their contribution and for the pride they bring to the Department."

Also at the University Awards ceremony, Katie Poppiti, current Ag Student Council representative for Collegiate Horsemen at Penn State (CHAPS), received the Council of Commonwealth Student Governments' Leadership Award, given to a student demonstrating leadership at more than one campus location, having also studied at the Altoona Campus. An environmental and renewable resource economics major in her sixth semester, she is active in Ag Student Council.

The CHAPS executive board received the Outstanding Student Organization Executive Board Award from the University, in recognition of their commitment to developing the general membership, training for new members and effectively including the organization's advisors in organizational activities. CHAPS received the "Activities Above the Local Level" award from the College. Karen Vines is advisor to CHAPS.

Brynn Kepler and Kyle Grim, both animal sciences majors and Block and Bridle Club members, received the 2008 CAS Agricultural Student Council (ACS) Ag Woman of the Year and Ag Man of the Year awards, respectively.

Kepler, from Herndon, has been an Ag-Advocate, and credits her work as an Ag-Advocate with fostering her communication skills while traveling and networking with both University officials and industry representatives. Active in the Block and Bridle Club, she has served as apparel chair, social chair and winter formal chair. She serves as treasurer of Collegiate Farm Bureau and participated in the Junior Mentoring program and was an Alumni Internship Award winner. She said her involvement in activities helped her develop new skill sets and experience work in a team environment, adding that she was influenced to participate in activities by "the amazing students and their positive energy," and from encouragement from professors and advisors.

When asked for the competition to describe the agricultural industry in 10 words, Kepler said, "The toil of innovative people producing food, fiber and energy."

Upon graduation, she will work for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture executive office with Deputy Secretary Bill Wehry. She is the daughter of David Keppler and Nancy and Lindsay Deppen.

Grim, from East Berlin, has served as president, vice-president and marshal of the Block and Bridle Club as well as serving on numerous committees. He is also active in the Pennsylvania Junior Angus Association, the National Junior Angus Association and National Block and Bridle. He was a member of the high overall collegiate livestock judging team at Keystone International Livestock Exposition.

An owner with his siblings of Beaver Creek Angus, he owns 35 head of his own, and will return to his farm in East Berlin to grow the herd and become a seed stock producer.

He added, "My participation at Penn State has provided the foundation of skills and character to be more successful in my future career.  In terms of skills, PSU has enhanced my ability to lead, communicate, organize, motivate, speak, and work well with others." 

In recognition of his efforts with Block and Bridle, Grim received the Penn State University Leadership and Service award, and was given a Craig Millar scholarship.

Grim used these 10 words to describe the agricultural industry: "Competitive production of FOOD with land, labor, animals and technology."