Alumni Videos

Mary Bamford (2002) Therapeutic Recreation Specialist/Equestrian Specialist, Bethanna Farm

"My experience with horses at Penn State prepared me well for my profession as a horse therapist - I developed a high comfort level with the animals."

Chris Connelly (1999), Veterinarian

"The Animal Science major allows you to grow not just academically and intellectually, but also socially."

Amie Howes (2002), Territory Manager, Fort Dodge Animal Health

"My animal science classes helped me tremendously. The professors are very down to earth. They love to work with students."

Sarah Kreiser (2003), Staff biologist, Merck and Company

"Penn State gave me the opportunity to work with lots of different people. It prepared me for this job - there is a lot of group work, a lot of collaboration."

Heather Ladd (2001), Research Biologist, Merck and Company

"Majoring in Animal Science helped me to take my interest in animals and find a career where I can apply it every day."

Melinda Schempp (2002), Toxicology Biologist, Merck and Company

"I'm really lucky to work at such a great company and to work with animals every day. Penn State helped me develop the science background I needed and helped me make the right career choice."

Marc Sholder (2004), Dairy Nutrition Consultant, Cargill Animal Nutrition

"In animal science, you can work with horses, dairy cattle, beef cattle, poultry, small domestic animals…there’s an incredible range of species that you can get experience with."

Barbara Toddes (1984), Nutrition Program Director, Philadelphia Zoo

"I think the most significant thing about the education I got at Penn State is that it was well rounded and broad-based."

Heather (Oberholtzer) Hostetter (2000), Monsanto Dairy Business

"The thing I remember the most about the program is that there were just all these people who had a love for Ag and were willing to share and learn from each other..."

Jamie Walker (2000), Chiropractor

"It was such a nice mix of a big university and a department that was so close knit that you could go and talk with any professor or adviser..."

Rachel (Tanis) Mead, (2000) Farming

"I think the program opened me up more. I definitely think it improved my interactions with other people..."

Lauren (Lynch) Mosemann (2000), Farming

"Being involved with the Dairy Science Club - that was one of the biggest things I got involved with right away, and I got to know so many people, which led me to a lot of alumni..."

Darryl Bomgardner (1996), Huober, Inc.

"Block and Bridle and Livestock Judging...got me involved and helped me with my people skills - that's probably the biggest thing."

Jason Ahola (1995), Beef Industry

"The Department of Dairy and Animal Sciences is much like a family. You can come to a school with 40,000 students, and you're involved in an event with 50 students, and you're coordinating that event. It was a great opportunity."

Jeff Hostetter (1995), Cargill

"I made a lot of friends and built some really good relationships. The faculty introduced me to a lot of people when I first came; it was a very warm and friendly atmosphere."